McKendree University men's wrestling has been chosen to finish the upcoming 2022-23 season in third place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, as voted on by fellow league coaches and announced by the league on Wednesday afternoon. The Bearcats are headed up by reigning GLVC Coach of the Year James Kisgen while they return the reigning GLVC Wrestler of the Year Ian Kuehl, as well as multiple All-GLVC selections in Christian Mejia (First), Cory Peterson, (First), and Joshua Jones (Second). McKendree finished atop the league for the fourth time in fives years in the GLVC, as wrestling was added in 2017 to the conference sports. The Bearcats were chosen 11th to begin the season in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's preseason poll with five ranked individuals behind a ninth-place finish at nationals and a third-place finish in super region iv last year. The season kicks off on November 5 for McKendree at the Maryville Kaufman/Brand Open in St. Louis, Missouri.
GLVC PRESEASON POLL
Place | School | Points (First-Place Votes) |
1. | Indianapolis | 42 (4) |
2. | Drury | 41 (1) |
3. | McKendree | 34 (1) |
4. | Maryville | 32 |
5. | Davenport | 31 (2) |
6. | Ouachita Baptist | 22 |
7. | William Jewell | 12 |
8. | Quincy | 10 |
McKendree won the 2022 men's wrestling title in the GLVC after going 5-0 in the league while it owned a 16-1 overall duals record. The Bearcats earned their fourth title in the conference with a victory over Indianapolis at Hyland Arena on February 12, beating the Hounds 19-14.
GLVC Championship Recap
2021-22 All-GLVC Honors
NWCA NATIONAL PRESEASON POLL
The Bearcats come into the year ranking 11th overall, compiling 35 points with five ranked individuals to start out the season.
McKendree finished out the 2021-22 season with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships in St. Louis, as two wrestlers earned All-American status with Cory Peterson (165, 3rd) and Daniel Filipek (184, 4th) both notched honors. As a team, the Bearcats grabbed points from six wrestlers, totaling 30.5 overall. Peterson led with 13.5 team points and 11.5 via Filipek.
2022 Nationals Recap
NWCA PRESEASON POLL
Rank | Institution | Total Points | Individuals |
1 | Nebraska-Kearney | 75 | 5 |
2 | St. Cloud State | 68 | 6 |
3 | Indianapolis | 66 | 6 |
4 | Central Oklahoma | 61 | 6 |
5 | Augustana (SD) | 58 | 6 |
6 | West Liberty | 50 | 6 |
7 | Lander | 47 | 6 |
8 | Adams State | 46 | 4 |
Mary | 46 | 5 | |
10 | Colorado Mesa | 39 | 3 |
11 | McKendree | 35 | 5 |
Pitt-Johnstown | 35 | 6 | |
13 | UW-Parkside | 33 | 2 |
14 | Mercyhurst | 31 | 4 |
15 | Gannon | 27 | 4 |
McKendree men's wrestling wil begin its year at the Kaufman/Brand Open on November 5 in St. Louis.
Original source can be found here.