BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team was picked to finish 10th in the annual Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' poll released on Thursday.
 
The defending NSIC champion, St. Cloud State, was the choice to win the league earning 96 points with seven first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Augustana earned three first-place votes and finished second overall with 91 points, while Wisconsin-Parkside was selected third with 84 points and a first-place vote. The University of Mary was fourth with 71 points with Minnesota State rounding out the top five with 66 points.  
 
Northern State was selected sixth with 57 points, followed by MSU Moorhead in seventh with 44 points and Sioux Falls in eighth with 32 points. Minot State is just ahead of SMSU in ninth with 30 points, followed by the Mustangs with 24 points and NSIC newcomer Jamestown in 11th with 10 points.
 
SMSU fifth-year head coach Chayse Jackson has one senior, five juniors, seven sophomores, eight redshirt freshmen and six true freshmen on the 2025-26 roster. This year's squad has four returning athletes who competed at the Super Region V Tournament last season, including junior Carlo Arreola (125), sophomore Dylan Louwagie (141), sophomore Evan Thompson (285) and Hanson (133).
 
"This year's team brings unmatched energy. We may be a young program with only a handful of upperclassmen, but you'd never know it by the way this group responds," said Jackson. "With several athletes building off strong finishes last season and a few talented newcomers joining the lineup, the pieces are in place for something special. Add in a relentless work ethic, and we're primed to surprise some teams this year. The energy is contagious, and from the moment this group came together, I knew we had something different."
 
Junior 133-pounder Chase Hanson was named an NSIC 'Wrestler to Watch' after going 8-18 last season and 1-2 at the Super Regional.
 
"Chase is one of the most determined athletes in the country. After a season where he peaked at the right time and found his offensive rhythm, he is more driven than ever to reach the podium this year," said Jackson about Hanson. "His career has included more setbacks than most, but he has turned every challenge into fuel. Each day he steps into the wrestling room ready to attack the workout, sharpen his skills, and elevate his teammates. As one of our few upperclassmen, Chase sets the tone—encouraging those around him to push themselves and raise our program to new heights. I'm fired up to see him back on the mat this season and can't wait to watch his offseason work pay off."
 
The Mustangs will host its annual Brown & Gold intrasquad dual on Oct. 25 in the PE Gym. The regular season begins on Nov. 1 in Rochester, Minn., at the Yellowjacket Open, with the first regular season dual set for Nov. 13 at Briar Cliff (Iowa). The home dual season opens on Nov. 15 versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.), while SMSU's first conference dual is Dec. 5 at Wisconsin-Parkside.