BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Fairmont State wrestling team was voted third in the 2023-24 Mountain East Conference Preseason Wrestling Poll and earned the highest preseason ranking in program history, the league revealed on Tuesday (Oct. 31). Additionally, four Falcons were ranked in the preseason NCAA Super Region 1 rankings, the highest number in program history.
 
The Falcons return to the mat after a third-place finish in the MEC Tournament in 2023, which was the highest finish in program history. 2023 MEC Wrestling Co-Coach of the Year Gennaro Bonaventura enters his second season guiding the Falcons. Fairmont State collected 13 dual meet victories last season, which was the most dual wins in a single season since the program was reinstated in 2019. All-MEC wrestlers Nate Pelesky, Caleb Everhart, Colton Stoneking and Kolton Parsons all are back for Fairmont State. 2023 NCAA National Tournament qualifier Austin Gibson also returns to the Fairmont State roster.
 
Pelesky, Stoneking, Parsons and Dwayne Johnson were listed in the preseason regional rankings. Pelesky was ranked fifth at 133 lbs after coming off of a 22-win season in 2022-23. Stoneking, a mid-year transfer from George Mason, was placed third in the regional rankings in the 141-pound weight class. The NWCA Academic All-American posted a 20-5 record after winning multiple tournaments and earning a fifth-place finish at the regional tournament in his first season with FSU. Parsons was ranked fourth at 157 lbs and earned NWCA Academic All-American distinction last season. Johnson, a transfer from Alderson Broaddus, was the 2023 MEC champion in the 197-pound weight class and earned a fifth-place ranking in the preseason regional rankings.
 
West Liberty earned the top spot in the conference's preseason rankings. The Hilltoppers received six first-place votes and the maximum of 36 points during preseason balloting. West Liberty finished sixth at last year's NCAA National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and return three All-Americans to the mat this season in Ty McGeary, Alec Cook and Vincent Scollo. McGeary is the defending NCAA National Champion at 184 pounds.
 
Under head coach Danny Irwin, West Liberty enters the 2023-24 season ranked No. 2 in the country in the NWCA National Preseason Poll that was released on Monday (Oct. 30) morning by association. The Hilltoppers were joined in the national rankings by Glenville State at No. 21.
 
Under head coach Dylan Cottrell, the Pioneers checked in at No. 2 following MEC preseason voting with one first-place vote and 31 points. The 21st-ranked Pioneers return All-American and defending 133-pound national champion Gavin Quiocho this season. GSU finished ninth at the 2023 NCAA National Championships with 42 points.
 
Notre Dame was four with 21 points, followed by first-year program Frostburg State (12), Davis & Elkins (11) and Wheeling (11).
 
The Fairmont State wrestling team will begin the 2023-24 season tomorrow (Nov. 1) in Washington, Pa. with dual meets versus Washington & Jefferson and Pitt-Bradford. The action begins at 5 p.m.
 
2023-24 MEC Preseason Wrestling Poll
1. West Liberty (6) – 36
2. Glenville State (1) – 31
3. Fairmont State – 25
4. Notre Dame – 21
5. Frostburg State – 12
T6. Davis & Elkins – 11
T6. Wheeling – 11
 
( ) - First-Place Votes
* Coaches not able to vote for own team