INDIANAPOLIS- The Tiffin University Dragons topped the 2025-26 Great Midwest Preseason Coaches Poll, released Wednesday afternoon.
The duo of Cael Woods and Max Shore return for head coach Antonio Guerra after earning a spot on the first-team all-conference list. Woods was named the Wrestler of the Meet at last year’s championship after capturing the 125 lbs. title. Woods posted a 15-0 win, a default win, and a major decision win to take home the gold. Shore also won the title at 133 pounds, with dominant wins over Ashland and Findlay. In addition to Woods and Shore, Emilio Arellano and Gavin Owens, both all-conference selections, return for Tiffin. The Dragons will open up the 25-26 season at the Bob Del Rosa Intercollegiate, hosted by Case Western.
The Ashland Eagles are slotted second, falling only two points behind Tiffin. Last season, the Eagles sent a conference-high eight wrestlers to the Division II National Championship after earning their fourth G-MAC title. Luke Acuna is a top returner for coach Sponseller, after registering a 29-11 overall record during his sophomore season. Acuna placed second at the conference championship and went on to qualify for the national championship, competing at 125 lbs. Ashland will begin the 2025-26 season at the Glenville State Open on Nov. 1.
Rounding out the top three of the coaches poll is Findlay with 34 points,including one first-place vote. Giulian Bodiu returns for the Roughnecks after winning the heavyweight title at last year’s conference championship. Bodiu finished the season with an overall record of 24-10, which included 14 wins by fall and 34 takedowns.
Lake Erie and Thomas More are slotted fourth and fifth, followed by Davenport and Kentucky Wesleyan, respectively.
The Storm will begin a new era under first-year head coach John Penfold. Penfold will look to replace all-American Jack Haskin, who was last year’s Wrestler of the Year. Anthony Sagaris will return for the Storm, after finishing runner-up at the NCAA Super Region last season.
The 2025-26 season will open the first weekend of November, with several teams competing at the Glenville State Open.
The 2025-26 Championship will take place in Owensboro, KY.
2025-26 GREAT MIDWEST WRESTLING COACHES PRESEASON POLL
| SCHOOL |
POINTS |
| Tiffin (3) |
40 |
| Ashland (3) |
38 |
| Findlay (1) |
34 |
| Lake Erie |
30 |
| Thomas More |
21 |
| Davenport |
20 |
| Kentucky Wesleyan |
13 |