ST. LOUIS, MO -  The University of the Ozarks are the SLIAC Men's Wrestling preseason favorites according to league coaches. With the addition of Huntingdon University and McMurry University, a total of eight programs will compete for a SLIAC Championship at the end of the season.

While Ozarks is the heavy favorite, they will be under the direction of first-year head coach Nathan Rankin. The Eagles totaled 49 points in the poll voting, picking up 7 first-place nods. The team brings back three conference champions: Shelton Chastain (125), Javin Douglas (133), and Hayden Rofkahr (157). Reign Creech (125) and Clyde Adams (133) were runners-up last season while Ka'Ron Lewis, the 2024 285 champ, returns after sitting out last season.

Eureka College placed 3rd at last year's championships but will have a strong mix of returners and newcomers. They totaled 42 points in the poll, putting them 2nd. Jacob Kaminski was nationally ranked at 285 last season and finished as runner-up in the conference. Trevor Hedges was the conference champ at 141 in 2024 and is joined by 3rd place finisher Alex Muhammad (165). Isaac Smith totaled 12 wins last season and floats between 125 and 133 pound class. Billy Tucker transfers into the program and will compete at 149.

New to the league is Huntingdon University. The Hawks collected 37 points and the lone remaining first-place vote. They are coming off a 9th place finish at regionals and bring back six starters from a year ago. Hudson Andrews (149) and Cade Sousa (174) both placed at regionals one year ago. Hinds Duncan (125), Cole Blalock (133) and Damion Jones (165) all scored at regionals while Steven Flagg is a senior that will compete at 285. New faces that should make an impact are Kenyon Clements, Brock Gross, and Corbin Falgout.

The Mountaineers totaled 28 points in the voting thanks to the return of 285 pound champion Austin Cooley. Cooley was an All-American last year, finishing with a 29-4 record, and being named SLIAC Wrestler of the Year. Ashton Keller is also back after 10 wins in his freshman campaign and finishing 3rd at 141 in the conference championship.

McMurry University grabbed 21 points in the poll and will look to put together a strong first-year for the program. Jose Cordova (184) was a state champion and All-American while wrestling in New Mexico while Aaron Michaels was a Texas state champion at 125. Yahiya Said finished 6th at 197 in the Texas state championships. The team also includes regional qualifiers Adrian Cavazos, Tyler Gardner, Ruben Perez, and Major Watz.

Westminster College finished with 18 points after placing 2nd at the SLIAC Championships last season. The Blue Jays are coached by first-year head coach Jalen Laughlin.

Lyon College totaled 16 points in the poll, placing 7th. The Scots program will rely on returners Eli Lupton, Clay Queen, and Ty Ferguson. Lupton finished 2nd at 197 in last year's conference championships. Queen (157) led the team with 14 wins last year, finishing 3rd at the championships while Ferguson was 4th at 125 pounds.

Blackburn College will field a full team this year after competing partially last season, the program's first year. New head coach Tim McGuire has four returning wrestlers and brings in a large group of freshmen to compete. Among the group of newcomers to keep an eye on will be Daishaun Wilbourn, a four-time state qualifier from Missouri and Dionysus Alston, a two-time state qualifier from Delaware. Jonas Casillas qualified for state in Texas while transfer Tyler Tarallo brings in experience to the program.