MANHEIM, Pa. – The Roanoke College wrestling team starts the 2026-27 season ranked No. 3 as the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released the Preseason Division III Men's Coaches Tournament Poll Friday.

Wartburg, which won the 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship by 42 points in Cedar Rapids, opens the 2026-27 season ranked first in the tournament team top 25 with 62 points. Last season's runner-up, UW-La Crosse, is second with 54 points. Roanoke (53.5), Augsburg University (45), and Coe College (41) round out the top five.

The Maroons are looking to follow up on a highly successful campaign last year, finishing the season as the nation's No. 1 dual meet team after compiling a 15-0 record. RC claimed their first National Duals title in January, knocking off Wartburg in the finals, 19-16. Roanoke won its fourth-straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) title and became the first ODAC team to win a regional title since 1953. Roanoke capped off its season at the Nationals with a program-best sixth-place finish and four All-Americans. Head coach Nate Yetzer was named NCAA Division III Wrestling Coach of the Year by the Open Mat and the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).

The Maroons have eight student-athletes ranked in the individual weight class top 15.
125 – Isiac Paulino - #10
133 – Jude Robson - #2
141 – Jonah Paulino - #13
157 – Taylor Smith - #4
165 – Cade Parent - #3
174 – Xavier Preston - #4
184 – Hunter Moore - #3
285 – Lorenzo Pellot-Vazquez - #9