BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Minnesota State wrestling was selected to finish fifth in the 2025-26 NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mavericks finished 8-5 overall last season, including 5-3 in NSIC duals.
 
Senior Drake Hayward (174, Neenah, Wisconsin) was picked by the conference as the 'Wrestler to Watch'. Hayward went 32-7 last season, including 6-1 against NSIC opponents. With a third place finish at the NCAA Championships, Hayward is a returning All-American for MSU.
 
"Drake is a high energy guy and he genuinely loves the day-to-day Maverick Wrestling experience," said MSU head coach Jim Makovsky. "I think his vibe sets the tone off-the-mat and in the locker room. He's a good example of how to take some of the sharp edges off of a very intense, combat sport. He's had a lot of ups and downs in his career and he's humble enough to pay forward some of the lessons he's learned throughout his career. In addition, Drake is actively involved in SAAC at MSU and in the NSIC. He's a regular at other events on campus and in the community. Not sure when he sleeps."
 
Makovsky is in his 33^rd season as head coach. The Mavericks begin their 2025-26 campaign at the Pointer Open in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and the Yellow Jacket Open in Rochester, Minnesota on Saturday, November 1. MSU travels to the Luther Open on November 15 before beginning conference competition at Sioux Falls on December 5.
 
"We've been a young program the past couple of years," Makovsky said. "We only graduated one senior last year. We have a handful of seniors this year who are servant leaders and are quality examples of how to go about your business throughout the season. Every team is unique and the story gets written throughout the season. Having steady, experienced leaders in the locker room will be essential if we want to max out the potential we have in the room."
 
Two-time defending NSIC Champion St. Cloud State University were selected to win the league this season. The Huskies had 96 points and seven first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) to rank five points ahead of Augustana, which was second with 91 points and three first place votes. Parkside was third with 84 points and the final first place vote. Augustana's Cael Larson was voted by the league coaches as the preseason wrestler of the year. Larson, the 2024-25 NCAA DII National Champion 149 pounds, went 22-5 last season and was 7-2 in NSIC duals.  

2025-26 NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank/Team (First Place Votes)	Points
1. St. Cloud State (7)	96
2. Augustana (3)	91
3. Parkside (1)	84
4. University of Mary	71
5. Minnesota State	66
6. Northern State	57
7. MSU Moorhead	44
8. Sioux Falls	32
9. Minot State	30
10. Southwest Minnesota State University	24
11. Jamestown	10