By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Wrestling was picked third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Monday (Oct. 31). The Tigers are picked to finish one notch higher in the dual standings than where they finished last season.
Defending national champion Nebraska-Kearney is picked first in the poll just by a slight margin over Central Oklahoma. The Lopers received 15 points in the poll and three first-place votes, while the Bronchos received 14 points and one first-place vote. Central Oklahoma won the MIAA dual title last year, going 4-0 in conference action and a perfect 13-0 overall.
Nebraska-Kearney and Central Oklahoma went into the NCAA Championships ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation last year. That’s exactly where both teams finished when the championship was over, UNK generating 127 points and UCO 86. UCO had two individual national champions, while UNK had one.
Fort Hays State received votes in the NWCA National Rankings as a team all throughout last season. The Tigers had three national qualifiers. Tereus Henry at 197 pounds is the lone individual of that trio back this year, which also included Marty Verhaeghe and A.J. Cooper. Verhaeghe and Cooper both earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championships in their final year competing for the Tigers.
2022-23 MIAA Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska Kearney – 15 [3]2. Central Oklahoma – 14 [1]3. Fort Hays State – 9
4. Central Missouri – 8
5. Newman – 4