WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University women's wrestling team has been selected as the favorite in the inaugural Mountain East Conference Women's Wrestling Preseason Poll, earning four of six first-place votes and 24 points in balloting conducted by the league's head coaches.

Frostburg State finished second with 21 points and one first-place vote, followed by Fairmont State with 16 points and one first-place vote. Wheeling, Concord and Point Park rounded out the six-team poll.

The preseason announcement comes as the MEC prepares to introduce women's wrestling as its 24th championship sport during the 2026-27 academic year, marking a significant milestone for the growing sport at the collegiate level.

West Liberty enters the inaugural conference season following a historic 2025-26 campaign. The Hilltoppers finished 19th at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships, while junior Cassia Zammit placed fourth at 131 pounds to become the first All-American in program history. Zammit advanced to the national tournament after finishing second at the NCAA Women's Wrestling Super Region Two Championships.

Now entering its third season under head coach Troy Bell, West Liberty returns five national qualifiers, including Zammit, Trinity Howard, Mariah Mills, Grace O'Korn and Jamie Shapton. The returning group will look to build on last season's national success as the Hilltoppers pursue the program's first MEC championship.

West Liberty opens the 2026-27 season Nov. 1 at the Tiffin Open in Tiffin, Ohio, before returning home Nov. 6 to host Washington & Jefferson at the Academic, Sports & Recreation Complex.

The Hilltoppers' schedule also includes the Adrian Duals and Adrian Open in Michigan on Nov. 14-15, the Gannon Duals on Dec. 5 and the Hilltopper Duals at home on Dec. 20. West Liberty will host Frostburg State for Senior Night on Jan. 20 before beginning the postseason at the NCAA Super Regional on Feb. 19-20. The National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships are scheduled for March 5-6 in Coralville, Iowa.

With the MEC's inaugural women's wrestling season approaching, West Liberty begins the campaign with the conference coaches' top preseason endorsement and a returning group with national championship experience.
 
2026-27 MEC Women's Wrestling Preseason Poll

Rank	School	Points
1	West Liberty (4 first-place votes)	24
2	Frostburg State (1)	21
3	Fairmont State (1)	16
4	Wheeling	11
5	Concord	10
6	Point Park	8

West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.