BOONE, N.C. — App State Wrestling had four accomplished returners named to the SoCon's preseason all-conference team for 2026-27, the league announced Thursday.
Coaches also picked the Mountaineers to finish first in the league. Head coach
JohnMark Bentley's roster includes three NCAA Championships qualifiers and the seven other wrestlers who were starters in the 10-man lineup for a 2025-26 team that earned a share of another SoCon regular-season title and won a fourth straight SoCon tournament title.
The three NCAA qualifiers from last season —
Aldo Hernandez (141 pounds),
Tomas Brooker (184 pounds) and
Stephan Monchery — plus 2026 SoCon finalist
Anthony Conetta (165 pounds) were named to the preseason All-SoCon team.
App State's 2026-27 season is presented by Hungry Howie's and Penn Station. The season officially begins Nov. 1 at the Southeast Open.
2026-27 SoCon Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll (FIrst-place votes)
1. App State (8) – 64 points
2. Chattanooga (1) – 56 points
3. Bellarmine – 51 points
4. Gardner-Webb – 40 points
5. Davidson – 37 points
6. The Citadel – 31 points
7. VMI – 20 points
8. Campbell – 17 points
9. Presbyterian – 8 points
2026-27 SoCon Wrestling Preseason All-Conference Team
125 – Gylon Sims, Jr., The Citadel (19-12, 7-1 SoCon)
133 – T.K. Davis, R-Jr., Gardner-Webb (26-3, 8-0 SoCon) %
141 –
Aldo Hernandez, Sr., App State (20-16, 4-3 SoCon) %
149 – Anderson Heap, Jr., Davidson (20-11, 8-0 SoCon) %
157 – Jeb Prechtel, Sr., Bellarmine (16-16, 4-3 SoCon) %
165 –
Anthony Conetta, 5th Year, App State (25-11, 6-2 SoCon)
174 – Grant O'Dell, R-Sr., Bellarmine (25-10, 5-2 SoCon) %
184 –
Tomas Brooker, Sr., App State (26-10, 7-0 SoCon) %
197 – Kade Rule, So., Chattanooga (18-7, 8-0 SoCon) %
285 –
Stephan Monchery, Jr., App State (24-9, 8-0 SoCon) %
% Reigning SoCon Champion
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