BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Southern Conference announced its 2026-27 wrestling preseason poll Thursday afternoon, with Campbell picked seventh in a vote of the league's head coaches.

App State was selected to win the conference with 64 points and eight of nine first-place votes. Chattanooga was picked second with 56 points and one first-place vote.

The Camels enter their second season under head coach TJ Dudley after finishing 1-7 in conference duals in his first season, including a win over Presbyterian. Redshirt sophomore Sawyer Van Rider led Campbell at the 2026 SoCon Championships with a third-place finish at 285 pounds.

Campbell opens the 2026-27 campaign on Nov. 1 at the Southeast Open, hosted by Virginia Tech.

The Camels return eight wrestlers and welcome 20 newcomers, including 17 freshmen, to the roster.

The 2026-27 preseason SoCon Wrestling Coaches' Poll and All-SoCon Team are listed below:

2026-27 SoCon Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. App State (8) – 64 points
2. Chattanooga (1) – 56 points
3. Bellarmine – 51 points
4. Gardner-Webb – 40 points
5. Davidson – 37 points
6. The Citadel – 31 points
7. VMI – 20 points
8. Campbell – 17 points
9. Presbyterian – 8 points
 
2026-27 SoCon Wrestling Preseason All-Conference Team 
125 – Gylon Sims, Jr., The Citadel (19-12, 7-1 SoCon)
133 – T.K. Davis, R-Jr., Gardner-Webb (26-3, 8-0 SoCon) %
141 – Aldo Hernandez, Sr., App State (20-16, 4-3 SoCon) %
149 – Anderson Heap, Jr., Davidson (20-11, 8-0 SoCon) %
157 – Jeb Prechtel, Sr., Bellarmine (16-16, 4-3 SoCon) %
165 – Anthony Conetta, R-Sr., App State (25-11, 6-2 SoCon)
174 – Grant O'Dell, R-Sr., Bellarmine (25-10, 5-2 SoCon) %
184 – Tomas Brooker, R-Jr., App State (26-10, 7-0 SoCon) %
197 – Kade Rule, So., Chattanooga (18-7, 8-0 SoCon) %
285 – Stephan Monchery, Jr., App State (24-9, 8-0 SoCon) %
 
% Defending SoCon Champion

STAY TUNED

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