MANKATO, Minn. --- A new season and a new chapter begin this weekend for the Minnesota State wrestling team.

Ranked sixth nationally in the preseason polls, the Mavericks will open the 2026-27 campaign Saturday under first-year head coach Brady Wilson, splitting the squad between the Yellowjacket Open in Rochester, Minn., and the inaugural Collide All-Star Showcase in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The season opener comes with significant expectations for a Minnesota State program that was selected second in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll and returns a trio of nationally ranked wrestlers who will headline the Mavericks' appearance at the All-Star Showcase.

"We're excited to finally get on the mat and see this group compete," Wilson said. "The work these guys have put in during the offseason has been tremendous, and Saturday gives us an opportunity to start building toward our goals for the season."

Ranked Trio Headlines All-Star Showcase
Minnesota State will send three nationally ranked wrestlers to compete in the inaugural Collide All-Star Showcase, an event that features top competitors from NCAA Division II, Division III, the NAIA and junior colleges.
Leading the group is junior Colton Hush, who enters the season ranked No. 1 nationally at 141 pounds. The Woodville, Wis., native earned All-America honors with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships last season after compiling a 30-12 record. Hush, who was named NSIC Rookie of the Year as a freshman, will square off against Menlo College standout Tyger Taam in the final Maverick match of the evening.

Junior transfer Dominic Ducato begins his Minnesota State career atop the national rankings at 133 pounds. After three successful seasons at St. Cloud State, Ducato arrives in Mankato with a career record of 49-9 and NCAA All-America credentials after placing sixth nationally last season. He will face Wartburg All-American Patrick Mullen in one of the showcase's featured matchups.

At 184 pounds, Minnesota State will also showcase junior transfer Cole Glazier, who enters the year ranked No. 3 nationally. A two-time NCAA All-American, Glazier posted a 68-11 record during his career at St. Cloud State and will battle Roanoke's nationally ranked Hunter Moore.

Depth on Display at Yellowjacket Open
While the spotlight shines on the All-Star Showcase, much of the Maverick roster will begin its season earlier in the day at the Yellowjacket Open.

Minnesota State is slated to send 21 wrestlers to Rochester, giving the coaching staff its first opportunity to evaluate the team's depth and competition readiness in live action.

Among those expected to compete are Slade Barnett, Caden Borgen, Aidan Carlson, Roman Clouse, Sam Drietz, Brayden Fobbee, Raydon Graham, Luke Harrington, Dominic Heim, Joe Kruse, Spencer Lee, Ian Lessard, Griffin Marko, Grady Mortensen, Torrey Paplow, Damarion Ross, Amilio Salas, Logan Schwanz, Callen Smithpeter, Tas Storer and Samuel Winkels.

The tournament provides valuable early-season matches as the Mavericks continue to develop lineup combinations and gain experience heading into dual competition later this month.

High Expectations Enter 2026-27
Minnesota State enters the season with aspirations of contending for conference and national honors after being picked second in the NSIC preseason poll, trailing only defending favorite UW-Parkside. The Mavericks also shared the top spot in the NSIC South Division preseason rankings alongside St. Cloud State.

Saturday's events mark the first step in a season that includes trips to the Luther Open on Nov. 14 before Minnesota State hosts its home-opening duals on Nov. 21 against Rochester Community and Technical College and Upper Iowa at the Taylor Center.

For a program with national contenders at the top of the lineup and depth throughout the roster, the 2026-27 season begins with plenty of anticipation and an opportunity to make an early statement on the mat.