The Upper Iowa men's wrestling program was tabbed fifth in the NWCA Preseason National Coaches Poll, tying with fellow GLVC affiliate McKendree University. 
 
A first-time #1, the Lander Bearcats, will open the 2023-24 season atop the preseason edition of the NWCA Division II Coaches Poll, released Oct. 30 by the Association.
 
The Bearcats, who finished runner-up at the 2023 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, top the poll with 82 total points and a poll-high eight ranked wrestlers. West Liberty sits at #2 in the preseason poll, with 69 points behind five ranked wrestlers. Defending National Champion Central Oklahoma is in the three-spot with 63 points, with St. Cloud State (56 points) in fourth with its six ranked wrestlers and McKendree and Upper Iowa tied for the five-spot with 48 points each.
 
Senior Chase Luensman was selected as the preseason top-ranked individual at 165lb. He was joined in the preseason rankings by teammates Tate Murty (fourth in 141 class), Colter Bye (sixth in 184 class), Eric Faught (eighth in 147 class) and James Davis (10th in 133 class). 
 
The season kicks off officially Wednesday, Nov. 1, with various teams around NCAA DII in action. Sixty-six teams will compete under the NCAA DII banner this season, including four programs taking the mat for the first time in Frostburg State, Grand Valley State, Montevallo, and Sioux Falls. The top three at each weight class from each of the six regions will descend upon Wichita, Kansas, for the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championships March 15-16. 
 
The full release and individual/team polls can be found through the links attached with this story.