Simpson lands ninth in A-R-C Preseason Poll

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Simpson College wrestling team is picked to finish ninth in the American Rivers Conference Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Poll, the league announced Thursday.

Wartburg takes top honors as Loras is right behind in second after winning the A-R-C regular season and regional championship a year ago. Coe, Dubuque, Luther, Central, Nebraska Wesleyan and Buena Vista round out the next spots, respectively.

In his first year with the program in 2019-20, head coach Dylan Peters secured a 3-12 record and 1-7 mark in league play. Peters hired Jeff McGinness to join his staff as an assistant coach at the start of this season. McGinness was a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and a three-time All-American at the University of Iowa.

Junior Dylan McChesney placed sixth at the NCAA Lower Midwest Regional Championships last season to earn all-conference honors for the program's first recipient since 2018. Sophomore Dalton Cockman led the team in victories with 18 as a rookie, including six pins. Junior Shyler Langley and sophomore Colton Kinnison complete the quartet of Storm grapplers that recorded at least 10 victories last year.

Simpson begins its A-R-C slate with a triangular against Buena Vista and Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

2020-21 American Rivers Conference Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Wartburg (16-1, 7-1 A-R-C)
2. Loras (14-1, 8-0 A-R-C)
3. Coe (14-3, 6-2 A-R-C)
4. Dubuque (10-4, 4-4 A-R-C)
5. Luther (11-6, 5-3 A-R-C)
6. Central (12-6, 3-5 A-R-C)
7. Nebraska Wesleyan (5-8, 2-6 A-R-C)
8. Buena Vista (3-9, 0-8 A-R-C)
9. Simpson (3-12, 1-7 A-R-C)