WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University men's wrestling team enters the 2025–26 campaign among the nation's elite once again, checking in at No. 19 in the NWCA Division II Preseason Top 25, as announced by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

The Hilltoppers tallied 26 team points behind six nationally ranked individuals, continuing a tradition of excellence that has defined head coach Danny Irwin's program in recent years. West Liberty is one of five Mountain East Conference programs represented in the preseason rankings, and expectations remain high heading into another challenging schedule.

"Six guys in the national rankings shows we have a lot of potential," Irwin said. "Especially with Carter Winegardner and Nico Taddy not being in that six. Nico returns after redshirting last year following a stellar freshman campaign. We have high expectations again this season, and us staying focused on our standards for each other will determine how the season will shape up."

At the top of the lineup, two-time NCAA qualifier and 2025 NCAA Division II National Finalist Khyvon Grace leads the charge after an impressive 2024–25 season at 141 pounds. Grace posted a 16–7 record, finishing second nationally, runner-up at the NCAA Super Regional III, and third at the MEC Championships. His postseason run and consistent dominance earned him the No. 2 national ranking entering this season — the highest individual mark for a Hilltopper.

At 125 pounds, Logan Davis is coming off a breakthrough campaign where he went 23–3, was ranked as high as No. 8 nationally, and won titles at both the Mount Union Invitational and King Open. Davis also placed third at the Little State Invite, runner-up at the MEC Championships, and fourth at the NCAA Super Regional III, cementing his place among the region's elite.

Another breakout star, James Armstrong Jr., returns at 133 pounds following a standout 29–11 freshman season. Armstrong was an NCAA Division II National Qualifier, Super Regional III Champion, and earned multiple honors including MEC Freshman of the Year, Super Region III Freshman of the Year, NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year, and WLU Athletics Newcomer of the Year. He also placed third at the MEC Championships, emerging as one of the program's brightest young leaders.

In the middle weights, Tony Wood returns after a steady season competing at both 141 and 149 pounds, where he finished 14–12, placed fourth at the NCAA Super Regional III, and earned fourth at the MEC Championships. His experience adds proven reliability in a tough weight class.

Carter Winegardner headlines a talented group at 174 pounds after going 21–5 last season, earning a No. 6 national ranking at one point. Winegardner was runner-up at the MEC Championships, Little State Champion, and placed fourth at the NCAA Super Regional III, earning the team's Most Improved Award for his rapid progression.

At heavyweight, Parker Bentley returns following a strong 27–8 season in which he was ranked as high as No. 9 nationally. Bentley claimed titles at the Little State Invite, finished runner-up at both the MEC Championships and Fairmont State Invite, placed fifth at the NCAA Super Regional III, and was honored with the Most Near Fall Award while being named an NWCA Scholar All-American.

Depth remains a defining strength for this year's roster. Nico Taddy, who redshirted in 2024–25, returns after a 21–7 season in 2023–24 where he was an NCAA Division II Qualifier, MEC Champion, third-place finisher at the NCAA Super Region III, and runner-up at the John Summa Invitational. Irwin called him "one of the most complete wrestlers I've ever coached."

Other key contributors include Caiden Harbert (17–18), a NWCA Scholar All-American who competed at 125 pounds last season and placed fifth at the King Open, runner-up at Baldwin Wallace, and eighth at Mount Union; and Gabe Blissenbach (14–13), another NWCA Scholar All-American at 174 pounds who placed third at the King Open, fifth at Baldwin Wallace, and was a co-champion at the John Carroll Open.

The Hilltoppers also bring back Jordan Watters (11–1), who competed at 157 pounds last season, was ranked as high as No. 11, and earned individual titles at the Little State Championship while finishing runner-up at the Mount Union Invite.

Rounding out the upper weights, Oliver Byerly had a breakout year at 174 pounds, going 17–4 with titles at both the Fairmont State and John Summa Invites, and a runner-up finish at Mount Union. His emergence adds yet another weapon to an already dangerous lineup.

The 2025 season also marks the first full campaign since the graduation of national champion Ty McGeary (33–1), whose dominance defined an era of Hilltopper wrestling. Irwin said this group is eager to write its own story.

"We had a great summer," Irwin said. "Guys were competing at U23s, at World Team Trials, and even with Team USA camps. We've made a lot of progress. Last year we had a lot of guys who were young — true freshmen at 25, 33, and 49 — and now they've had time to mature. They've wrestled at a high level, and that experience is paying off."

West Liberty opens the 2025–26 season on Nov. 1 at the Mount Union Invitational in Alliance, Ohio, before select wrestlers travel that same night to compete at the NWCA All-Star Classic in Brunswick, New Jersey — where Grace will become the first Hilltopper ever invited to the prestigious event. The Hilltoppers' home opener follows on Nov. 6 with a marquee dual against No. 3 Pitt-Johnstown inside the ASRC for Alumni Night, one of several matchups versus nationally ranked programs.

The remainder of the schedule includes high-level competition at the Midwest Classic (Dec. 13–14), NWCA National Duals (Jan. 9–10), MEC Championships (Jan. 31), and the NCAA Division II National Championships in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on March 13–14.

"This schedule will challenge us early and often," Irwin said. "Everyone will be tested in the front half, which will allow us to make the adjustments we need to perform at a high level when it counts."

As the Hilltoppers prepare for another rigorous season, Irwin believes the team's foundation — culture, competitiveness, and commitment — is stronger than ever. "Our expectations aren't just about rankings or results," he said. "It's about being in an environment where we love to compete. Whether it's in the room, on the mat, or in life — we want to keep growing, keep attacking. I think this team will be a lot of fun to watch."