GREENVILLE, S.C. – Conference Carolinas has released its 2026-27 preseason poll for the upcoming wrestling season, as well as three wrestlers to watch. The University of Montevallo men's wrestling team was picked to finish fourth.
Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll
Montevallo was picked to finish fourth with 156 points in the 2026-27 men's wrestling preseason poll
.
Lander finished first with 191 points and 10 first-place votes. Newberry and UNC Pembroke tied for second with 164 points, although UNC Pembroke received one first-place vote and Newberry received four.
Belmont Abbey finished fifth with 152 points, followed by King University with 149, Mount Olive with 115, Emmanuel with 96, Ferrum with 82, Shorter with 80, Coker with 73, Allen with 53, Bluefield State with 45, Emory & Henry with 28 and Lincoln Memorial with 27.
|
School |
Points (1st Place) |
| 1 |
Lander |
191 (10) |
| t2 |
UNC Pembroke |
164 (1) |
| t2 |
Newberry |
164 (4) |
| 4 |
Montevallo |
156 |
| 5 |
Belmont Abbey |
152 |
| 6 |
King |
149 |
| 7 |
Mount Olive |
115 |
| 8 |
Emmanuel |
96 |
| 9 |
Ferrum |
82 |
| 10 |
Shorter |
80 |
| 11 |
Coker |
73 |
| 12 |
Allen |
53 |
| 13 |
Bluefield State |
45 |
| 14 |
Emory & Henry |
28 |
| 15 |
Lincoln Memorial |
27 |
Wrestlers to Watch
Along with the release of the preseason poll, Conference Carolinas announced its wrestlers to watch for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Cole Hunt,
Carson Freeman and
Cole Tolley were named wrestlers to watch for Montevallo. The Falcons finished last season with a 10-4 overall record and a 9-2 conference record.
Tolley, a transfer from West Virginia University, is looking to make an impact this season while wrestling at 197 pounds for the Falcons.
Last season, Hunt finished ninth nationally and earned first-team All-Conference Carolinas honors at 125 pounds. He reached as high as No. 7 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's individual rankings. Hunt put together a strong campaign, finishing with a 32-4 record and setting Montevallo's single season wins record. He also went 12-0 in dual competition. Hunt won the Pepsi Patriot Open, Georgia Open and NCAA Super Region II tournament. He qualified for nationals with his 4-0 performance at the NCAA Super Region II tournament.
Freeman earned third-team All-Conference Carolinas honors at 157 pounds. He finished last season with a 23-12 record, including a 10-3 mark in dual competition. He qualified for the national championships and secured third place in the NCAA Super Region II tournament.
Upcoming Schedule
The Falcons will begin the season Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Glenville State Open.
