CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The Cascade Collegiate Conference released its preseason men's wrestling coaches' poll on Wednesday, where MSU-Northern was selected third and rival University of Providence was fourth.
Defending conference champion Menlo College, which finished runner-up at the NAIA Championships, was picked to defend its league title. The Oaks crowned two national champions and placed sixth at nationals last season.
Northern enters the season No. 3 after finishing 12th at the national tournament last year. Nick Kunz of Helena earned a national championship for the Lights and will look to defend that title this season. Kunz is a senior this year.
Providence placed 11th at nationals under first-year coach Steve Komac, the longtime Great Falls High wrestling mentor. The Argos were 17 points behind the Lights in the preseason conference coaches' poll.
The Cascade Conference championships will be held in Havre, scheduled for Feb. 19-20 and hosted by MSUN.
The complete preseason coaches' poll can be found below.
2020-21 CCC men’s wrestling coaches’ preseason poll
Team (First-Place Votes) Points
1. Menlo College (7) 137
2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2) 125
3. MSU-Northern (2) 118
4. University of Providence 101
5. Eastern Oregon University 81
6. Southern Oregon University (1) 77
7. Arizona Christian University 67
8. Corban University 66
T-9. Life Pacific University 53
T-9. Vanguard University 53
11. Simpson University 31
12. Warner Pacific University 17
