BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has announced its preseason coaches' index for men's wrestling. Minnesota State Moorhead was selected to finish seventh in the rankings while junior heavyweight
Liam Babitt was tabbed as MSUM's 'Wrestler to Watch' in 2026-27.
The Dragons earned the seventh position in the preseason poll thanks to 42 total points. Parkside was picked to win the league behind 93 points and five first-place votes. Minnesota State (2), St. Cloud State (2) and Augustana (2) earned first-place votes as well. Moorhead went 7-8 in duals in 2025-26, including four NSIC victories. The Dragons sent 141-pounder
Pedro Velazquez to the NCAA Championships following a runner-up finish at the Super Region V Tournament.
"The team has been working hard all preseason, and we're looking forward to getting started. We'll need to keep improving throughout the season to reach the goals the guys have set for themselves. That's going to take a lot of hard work and staying healthy. We graduated a large senior class, but we have a good group returning with experience competing at a high level. Six of our returners have competed in the NCAA Super Region V tournament, including two who have been regional placewinners.
Liam Babitt is a two-time regional placewinner coming off a 22-win season at 285 pounds. We feel he can continue to improve and have a strong year.
Anthony Sykora at 174 pounds has also shown he can compete with highly ranked wrestlers at the Division II level," said head wrestling coach
Kris Nelson, who begins his 18th season at the helm in 2026-27.
"We also have
Landon Walker at 125 pounds, who redshirted last season, and
Gunner Hostetter at 157 pounds. Both showed promise during their freshman seasons, and we feel they can do well for us. They'll both be pushing for starting spots this season. We brought in 11 recruits, including nine freshmen and two transfers. Kaden DeCouteau joins us at 149 pounds after placing at regionals last season for UMary.
Tayshaun Glover transferred from North Dakota State, where he had some big wins, and will compete for us at 197 pounds," continued Nelson. "We feel both can make an impact right away. We've also been excited about the freshmen in the room, and some will push for starting spots this season. That group includes
Carl Andrade and
Jent Beyer at 125/133,
Cash Botting at 149,
Zack Carr at 141/149,
Gabe Cohn at 197,
Adrian Gomez at heavyweight,
Hunter Parisien and
Parker Zutter at 157, and
Ian Phrakonkham at 141. They've been working hard and adjusting well, and we're looking forward to seeing how they develop."
Babitt, a junior from Soldotna, Alaska, enters his junior having compiled 41 career wins with the Dragons. The heavyweight tallied a stellar 22-6 overall record a season ago, which included a fifth-place finish at NCAA Super Region V. Babitt led the team with seven wins via fall in 2025-26 as well as three major decision. The junior was exceptional in NSIC dual competition, securing an 8-2 record versus conference foes.
"Liam is going into his junior season as one of our captains, and he's a guy who leads by example. He works hard all year, and that carries over into his everyday life, his jobs, and his family. He also represents Dragon Wrestling on our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. One thing I really appreciate about Liam is how much he cares about his teammates. He wants to do well himself, but he also wants to see the guys around him succeed," said Nelson of the junior. "He's there to support them and push them to reach their goals. Liam is mature for his age and is always looking for ways to get better on the mat, in the classroom, and in life. He's willing to listen and learn, and he puts in the work. Last season, he had 22 wins and only six losses, and he's looking to improve on that this season and reach his goals. I'm excited to see him keep growing as a wrestler and a leader."
The Dragons are slated to begin the 2026-27 season at the annual Jimmie Open, which is scheduled for Sunday, November 1 at 9 a.m.
