GREENVILLE, S.C. – Belmont Abbey has been picked fifth in the Conference Carolinas preseason wrestling poll, the league office announced today. Voting was conducted among the conference's 15 head coaches, with each unable to vote for his own team.
The Crusaders received 152 points with only 15 points separating Nos. 2 through 6. Lander is the preseason favorite with 10-of-15 first-place votes and 191 total points, while Newberry (four first-place votes) and UNC Pembroke (one first-place vote) tied for second at 164 points. Montevallo is just ahead of The Abbey with 156 points, while King is right behind with 149 points.
Mount Olive (115), Emmanuel (96), Ferrum (82) and Shorter (80) round out the top 10. The poll finished with Coker (73), Allen (53), Bluefield State (45), Emory & Henry (28) and Lincoln Memorial (27).
Belmont Abbey had three players to watch on the conference's list with all three qualifying for nationals last year.
Elijah Carrington (So., 141, Uniondale, N.Y.) was a third-team all-conference selection and league Freshman of the Year, while
Caleb Moore (Gr., 197, Denver, N.C.) was on the all-conference first team. Chris Arrington (Sr., 174, Grand Rapids, Mich.) was also listed.
2026-27 Conference Carolinas
Men's Wrestling Preseason Poll
|
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 |
