BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference today announced its 2022-23 Preseason Wrestling Poll, following a vote of the league’s head coaches. West Liberty received five of the seven first-place votes and is the preseason favorite this winter.
 
Under head coach Danny Irwin, West Liberty finished third at last year’s NCAA Division II National Championship in St. Louis. At the national championship West Liberty finished first at 125, second at 184, third at 174, fourth at 141 and eighth at 197. West Liberty lineup will be headlined this season by defending national champion Cole Laya at 125 and Ty McGeary at 184. The Hilltoppers also return three additional national qualifiers this season, including Francesco Borsellino (285), Jordan Watters (149) and Chase Morgan (165).
 
Glenville State received the remaining two first-place votes and finished second in the preseason voting (32), just three points behind West Liberty. Under head coach Dylan Cottrell, Glenville State finished second at the MEC Wrestling Championship a season ago. The Pioneers also had two qualify for the NCAA National Championship last March.
 
Notre Dame finished third in the poll with 24 points, followed by Davis & Elkins (18), Fairmont State (17), Alderson Broaddus (15) and Wheeling (6).
 
The NCAA wrestling season began on Nov. 1, with a majority of MEC teams opening up competition this week. Click here for the 2022-23 MEC Wrestling schedule.
 
2022-23 MEC Preseason Wrestling Poll
1. West Liberty (5) – 35
2. Glenville State (2) – 32
3. Notre Dame – 24
4. Davis & Elkins – 18
5. Fairmont State – 17
6. Alderson Broaddus – 15
7. Wheeling – 6