Millikin Picked Second in CCIW Wrestling Poll

NAPERVILLE – College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men's wrestling coaches gave the maximum possible point total to reigning league champion North Central in their preseason poll on Tuesday, making the Cardinals the favorite to repeat atop the league in 2024-25.

2024-25 CCIW Men's Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team (First-place vote)     Points
1. North Central (9)          81
2. Millikin (1)                   72
3. Augustana                   57
4. Concordia Wisconsin     53
5. Aurora                        45
6. Elmhurst                    40
7. Wheaton                    33
8. MSOE                          31
9. Carthage                    27
10. Illinois Wesleyan         12

NCC, which swept another league dual schedule and won its second consecutive CCIW Championship last February, received nine first-place votes and 81 points on the ballots. The Cardinals were ranked sixth nationally on Monday in a preseason poll released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).

Millikin claimed the second position in Tuesday's announcement with one first-place vote and 72 points. The Big Blue, last season's runner-up at the CCIW Championships, will aim to win their first league championship since claiming three in a row from 2020 through 2022. The Big Blue have finished in the top two spots in the CCIW Championships for the last seven straight seasons.

Millikin returns four All-Conference wrestlers from last season lead by senior and three-time CCIW Champion Dejon Glaster at 174 pounds. Other returning All-Conference performers including Coby Haney at 133, Chance Cole at 157 and Mason Clem at 197.

The third spot went to Augustana with 57 points, followed by Concordia Wisconsin with 53 points. Aurora, Elmhurst, Wheaton, MSOE, Carthage and Illinois Wesleyan claimed the following slots, respectively.

The 2024-25 regular season begins Friday when MSOE visits Millikin in Decatur for a 7 p.m. dual. Seven of the 10 CCIW teams open tournament competition on Saturday. The Big Blue will also be in action on Saturday hosting Elmhurst University at 3 p.m. The 2025 CCIW Championships are slated for Saturday, Feb. 15 in Decatur.

2024-25 Millikin Wrestling Roster

2024-25 Millikin Wrestling Schedule

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Dejon Glaster: Senior; 174

Coby Haney: Junior; 133

Chance Cole: Freshman; 165/174

Mason Clem: Sophomore; 184

Players Mentioned

Dejon Glaster
: Senior; 174

Coby Haney
: Junior; 133

Chance Cole
: Freshman; 165/174

Mason Clem
: Sophomore; 184