Colorado Springs, Colorado - New Mexico Highlands University has been picked to finish seventh in the 2026-27 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men's Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll, released yesterday by the conference office.
The Cowboys received eight points in voting by the conference's seven head coaches. Adams State was selected as the preseason favorite with 32 points and three first-place votes, narrowly edging Colorado Mesa, which received 31 points and three first-place votes. Colorado School of Mines was third with 28 points, followed by Western Colorado, Chadron State and CSU Pueblo.
Highlighting the preseason announcement for New Mexico Highlands was senior Ivan Smith, who earned a spot on the Preseason All-RMAC Team at 165 pounds.
Smith, a native of Farmington, New Mexico, returns following an outstanding 2025-26 campaign in which he compiled a 32-6 record and earned NCAA Division II All-America honors with a seventh-place finish at the national championships. He was also a First Team All-RMAC selection and the conference's Academic Wrestler of the Year.
The Cowboys enter the new season under head coach Chris Freije, looking to build on last year's successes.
2026-27 NMHU Cowboys' Wrestling ScheduleÂ
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