BRIGHTON, Mich. -- The University of Olivet has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Wrestling Preseason Poll, earning 16 points and four first-place votes. The defending conference champions finished the 2026 season undefeated in league competition and will look to extend their success against a competitive field.
1. The University of Olivet – 16 points (4 first-place votes)
Olivet captured the 2026 MIAA Wrestling Championship with a perfect 4-0 record in conference competition. The title marked the Comets’ sixth since 2019 and their 16th in program history.
Three returning All-MIAA performers headline Olivet’s lineup. Sophomore Trenden Bashore went undefeated against league opponents at 133 pounds, finishing 4-0 in conference competition. Senior Kyan Larson also earned All-MIAA recognition after compiling a 3-0 league record at 174 pounds, while classmate Mason Knight went 3-0 against conference opponents at 285 pounds.
Head coach Brandon Brissette was named the 2026 MIAA Wrestling Coach of the Year and enters his 18th season leading the Comets.
2. Adrian College – 12 points
Adrian College enters the 2026-27 campaign following a 1-3 record in MIAA competition last season.
The Bulldogs return sophomore Rickey Lynch, who went 2-0 at 165 pounds, and junior Landon Crance, who posted a 2-2 record at 149 pounds. Both will look to build on their previous performances as Adrian works toward a stronger finish in conference competition.
3. Albion College – 10 points (1 first-place vote)
Albion finished the 2026 season with a 3-1 conference record and returns two All-MIAA wrestlers who went undefeated against league opponents.
Sophomore Jayden Lewis posted a 4-0 record in conference competition at 157 pounds, while senior Owen Turnbow also finished 4-0 against MIAA opponents at 184 pounds. Both earned All-MIAA honors last season and will be key contributors as the Britons look to challenge for the conference title.
Owen McDaniel will serve as Albion’s interim head coach. He joined the wrestling program as an assistant coach in 2025-26 after competing for the Britons as a four-year wrestler.
4. Trine University – 7 points
Trine finished the 2026 season with a 2-2 record in MIAA competition and brings back several experienced wrestlers for the upcoming campaign.
Senior Nayl Sbay returns after recording a 3-0 mark against league opponents at 174 pounds. Junior Christopher Briner at 149 pounds and senior Davin George at 285 pounds also return after competing in all four of Trine’s conference contests at their respective weight classes.
5. Alma College – 5 points
Alma finished the 2026 season with a 0-4 conference record and will look to build momentum behind a pair of returning sophomores.
Dominic Gumtow earned All-MIAA honors after compiling an undefeated 4-0 record in league competition at 141 pounds. Classmate Cayden Bell posted a 3-1 conference record at 285 pounds and made history as the first Scot to compete at the NCAA Championships since 2019.
Up Ahead
MIAA competition is slated for the week of January 10 as teams begin their pursuit of the league title. The NCAA Central Regional is scheduled for February 27 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, followed by the NCAA Championships March 12-13 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.