KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has announced its preseason coaches poll for the 2023-24 wrestling season.
 
Central Oklahoma, the defending NCAA Division II National Champion, tabbed the top spot in the 2023-24 MIAA preseason coaches poll. After finishing as the national runners-up at the 2022 national wrestling championship, the Bronchos took home the team title at the 2023 championship with an impressive 43-point lead and two individual national champions.
 
The Bronchos totaled 25 points in the poll and were the coaches’ unanimous pick to finish at the top of MIAA standings for the second consecutive season.
 
Nebraska Kearney was picked second in the preseason poll with 21 points. The Lopers captured the team title at the 2022 NCAA Division II national championship and ended last season’s campaign with a top-10 finish at the national stage.
 
Central Missouri and Fort Hays State tied for the No. 3 spot in the poll. Both the Mules and Tigers totaled 15 points. Newman and Ouachita Baptist also tied for the final spot in the poll with seven points apiece.
 
Ouachita Baptist is competing in the MIAA for the first time this season. Ouachita a member of the Great American Conference (GAC), however the GAC does not sponsor wrestling. The Tigers’ wrestling program has been competing as a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) since the 2018-19 academic year.
 
The 2023-24 wrestling season begins in the first week of November. To see a complete schedule of all six MIAA wrestling programs, click here.
 
2023-24 MIAA Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma [5] – 25 points
2. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 21 points
T3. Central Missouri – 15 points
T3. Fort Hays State – 15 points
T5. Newman – 7 points
T5. Ouachita Baptist – 7 points 
[#] = First Place Votes