Mustangs tabbed favorites in men's wrestling preseason poll

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Mustangs beat out Doane for the top spot in the GPAC Men's Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the conference Wednesday.

Morningside totaled 180 points in the poll, followed by the Tigers (177 points) and Briar Cliff (144). The Mustangs return nine national qualifiers from the GPAC Dual and Tournament Championship team from 2022-23. 

In the individual GPAC rankings, Taylor Vasquez (141), Noah Styskal (157), Zander Ernst (165), Alex Vandyke (174), and Hunter DeJong (285) took the top spot in their weight classes. Benjamin Schmitz is second at 133 pounds, as is Hayden Wempen at 184 and Jakob Jerabek at 285. Caleb Connor is fourth at 174 and Nicholas Walters is fourth at 141.

Morningside opens the season at the Dakota Wesleyan Open in Mitchell Nov. 11.