ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team, currently in the Top 10 Team Tournament rankings of both the National Wrestling Coaches Association and OpenMat, were selected the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship favorites in the coaches' pre-championship poll, as revealed on Wednesday.
In the vote conducted among the conference's 10 head coaches, Stevens placed just ahead of Messiah, receiving six first-place votes and 78 points in all to Messiah's 76 points and four first-place votes. Reigning champion Alvernia (63 points), Arcadia (52 points), and Albright (43 points) rounded out the top five.
Pre-Championship Coaches' Poll:
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Stevens 78 (6)
2 Messiah 76 (4)
3 Alvernia 63
4 Arcadia 52
5 Albright 43
6 York 38
7 Misericordia 34
8 Eastern 28
9. King's 25
10 Delaware Valley 13
The Ducks will be seeking a fifth MAC title in six seasons and 10
th conference crown in 11 seasons dating back to the program's time in the Centennial Conference.
Senior
Ryan Smith has won each of the three previous conference titles at 157 pounds and sophomore Tyler Vent took third in the same weight class last season as a first-year. Senior
Nico Diaz, who missed all of last season due to injury, was the runner-up at 141 pounds at the 2024 conference championship, and has entered the Top 5 of the latest national rankings in the weight class, one of four Ducks ranked in the Top 15 in their weight class (
Cole Handlovic - 149 pounds, Smith - 157 pounds,
Noah MacIlroy - 184 pounds)
Additional conference championship information can be found
HERE.
#AllRise
