COLORADO SPRINGS - Defending champion Colorado School of Mines has been chosen atop the RMAC preseason wrestling coaches' poll.

The Orediggers (9-2, 7-0 RMAC in 2019-20) are coming off an undefeated conference slate last year to earn their second consecutive RMAC title. Mines received 39 points and four first-place votes in the poll ahead of Adams State, Colorado Mesa, and Western Colorado.

Mines returns starters at seven weight classes this year, including three 2020 NCAA qualifiers - 184-pounder Anderson Salisbury, 197-pounder Nolan Funk, and 285-pounder Weston Hunt - along with 2019 NCAA qualifiers Skyler Lykins at 165 and Noah Ottum at 149. In addition, Mines has veterans with dual starting experience back in Jake Stogdill at 125, Taylor Gambill and Wes Rayburn at 141, Ryan Fidel and Jack Damenti at 157, Perry Rodenbeck at 174, and Mike True at 285. 

The 2020-21 season is expected to begin in January with the Orediggers' competition schedule still under construction.
 

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2020-21 RMAC Wrestling Preseason Poll
1. Colorado School of Mines – 39 (4)
2. Adams State – 35 (1)
3. Colorado Mesa – 33 (1)
4. Western Colorado – 30 (1)
5. CSU Pueblo – 21
6. Chadron State – 17
7. San Francisco State - 9

Note: New Mexico Highlands has opted out of the wrestling season