FAIRMONT, W. Va. - The Glenville State University men’s wrestling team has been selected as the Mountain East Conference preseason favorite following a vote of the league’s eight head coaches, the league announced on Friday.
Glenville State received seven out of the eight total first-place votes, the maximum allowed since league head coaches cannot vote for their own team.
Last season, the Pioneers won their second straight NCAA DII Super Region III Championship, and six individuals from the squad qualified for the 2026 NCAA DII Championships. At the national championship, Glenville State finished with a program-best 7th as a team, tied the school record with four All-Americans and had the team's third-ever National Runner-Up.
Glenville State returns graduate student Nick Johnson, who finished second at the NCAA DII Championships and claimed the MEC’s individual title at 197 pounds. Johnson was also named the MEC Wrestler of the Year. Additionally, redshirt junior Zachary Parker, an All-American at 133-pounds returns for the Pioneers.
West Liberty University was selected as the preseason favorite runner-up, earning one first-place vote and 43 points. The Hilltoppers won last year's MEC Championship, marking the program's first conference tournament win since 2023. Head coach Danny Irwin was named the 2026 MEC Co-Coach of the Year as West Liberty garnered three All-Americans and a national runner-up at the 2026 NCAA DII Championships.
The poll was rounded out by Fairmont State University, Frostburg State University, Wheeling University, Salem University, Davis & Elkins College and Point Park University.
The MEC men’s wrestling season begins Nov. 1, as Glenville State hosts multiple league teams for the Glenville State Open in Glenville, West Virginia.
2026-27 MEC Men’s Wrestling Preseason Poll
School Points
Glenville State (7) 49
West Liberty (1) 43
Fairmont State 34
Frostburg State 33
Wheeling 25
Salem 20
Davis & Elkins 10
Point Park 10