BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- The Minnesota State wrestling team has been picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Preseason Wrestling Coaches' Poll.

The Mavericks garnered a total of 61 points to claim the fourth spot in the poll. St. Cloud State topped the poll with 81 points and nine first-place votes. Upper Iowa received 68 points and one first-place vote to come in second, with Augustana following right behind in third with 66 points. UW-Parkside rounded out the top-five with 45 points.

Senior Kyle Rathman was named MSU's Athlete to Watch for the upcoming season. Last season, Rathman tallied a 16-4 overall record, including six major decisions, one tech fall and two falls. Rathman, who has advanced to the NCAA Championships in each of the previous two seasons, was ranked #3 in Division II at 149 lbs., before the NCAA Championships were cancelled last season. As a sophomore in 2019, Rathman claimed All-American honors with a seventh place finish at the NCAA Championships.

Minnesota State opens its season on Thursday, Jan. 7, as it travels to Minot State. The dual is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.