2024-25 NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll

10/24/2024 10:00:00 AM

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St. Cloud State Picked in NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The defending NSIC Champions of St. Cloud State were selected to win the league in the NSIC Preseason Wrestling Coaches' Poll. The Huskies had 80 points and eight first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) to rank seven points ahead of Parkside, which was second with 73 points and the other two first place votes. Augustana was third with 66 points while the University of Mary was fourth with 57 points. 

St. Cloud State's Nick Novak was voted by the league coaches as the preseason wrestler of the year for the second consecutive season. Novak, the 2022-23 NCAA DII National Champion and 2023-24 National Finalist at 157 pounds  went  24-1 last season and was named the 2022-23 & 2023-24 NSIC Wrestler of the Year.

NSIC Wrestling's non-conference schedule gets underway on Friday, November 1 with the nine match NSIC dual schedule starting on December 5 and continuing throughout the year.  The NCAA Super Region #5 Championships are scheduled for Saturday, March 1 at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota while the NCAA Championships will take place on Friday-Saturday, March 14-15 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.  

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Nick Novak (157, Sr., New Prague, Minn. / New Prague HS) - St. Cloud State University
  • 2022-23 & 2023-24 NSIC Wrestler of the Year
  • 2022-23 NWCA Super Region V Wrestler of the Year
  • Two-time All-American earning first and second place finishes the past two seasons
  • Named First Team All-NSIC the past two seasons
  • Three-time National Qualifier 
  • Owns a 72-7 career record, including a 51-1 mark the past two seasons 
Nick is a hard-nosed, no nonsense and very committed student-athlete. He strives to be his best in all facets of his life. Nick is very serious about his academics, career path and the sport of wrestling. We are very fortunate to call him, one-of-our-own! He is on pace to have one of the greatest careers as a Huskies wrestler and we are very excited to see what he accomplishes this season.
Head Coach Steve Costanzo

NSIC TEAM PREVIEWS & WRESTLERS TO WATCH

Augustana University

I love the experience that we bring back mixed in with some excited youth. We got a taste of success at National Duals and Nationals and the team came together looking to continue to improve and get better at wrestling. I really like how much this team just loves wrestling and competing. It fun to watch how excited they are in the room just to scrap and grow in their sport. We have a ways to go but I really like how far this team has come in just the last year. This team will be fun to watch and compete against.
Head Coach Jason Reitmeier
Jaxson is everything you look for in a student-athlete. He is a nursing major with a 3.66GPA, 3x Academic All-American, 2x NSIC All-Academic, 2x CSC Academic All-District. Jaxson is also a 3x national qualifier, 2x National Runner-Up, 2x Region Runner-up and 2x All-NSIC. Jaxson has a quiet confidence about him, who loves competition. It doesn't matter if he is wrestling or putting a puzzle together is competing to be the best at it. He leads by example in all areas of his life which makes people want to follow him and be around him.
Head Coach Jason Reitmeier

University of Mary

This year’s team is comprised of some seasoned veterans along with some talented newcomers. They are a fun group of young men that everyone enjoys being around. They are all team first guys that care about one another and are willing to make investments in themselves to collectively help the program to pursue excellence on and off the mat. It’s going to be fun year!
Head Coach Adam Aho
Reece is one of the most disciplined individuals I have ever had the privilege to be around. His time management, work ethic, and his growth mindset are unmatched. He is a transformational leader that makes everyone on the team feel important and loved. He is able to keep the mood light and doesn’t take himself or big moments too seriously.
Head Coach Adam Aho

Minnesota State University, Mankato

I’m genuinely excited about this year's team for several reasons. First and foremost, the depth of talent we have is impressive. We’ve got a great mix of experienced upperclassmen and enthusiastic newcomers, creating a dynamic atmosphere where everyone can learn from each other. What really excites me is the strong team chemistry. The guys have bonded well during the offseason, and you can see that translating into their practices. They support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and push each other to improve. This kind of camaraderie is essential for a successful season. Additionally, the mindset this team brings is contagious. They are focused, resilient, and eager to embrace challenges. Their determination to elevate their performance and grow together is palpable, and I believe it will lead to some exciting outcomes throughout the season. Overall, I’m thrilled to see how this team continues to develop and compete. The potential is there, and I can't wait to watch them take the mat!
Head Coach Jim Makovsky
Kole Marko is a standout student-athlete not just for his skills on the mat, but for his leadership and character. He embodies the true essence of a teammate—always encouraging others and pushing them to reach their potential. Kole is known for his relentless work ethic and commitment to improvement, often staying late to help others refine their techniques. His positive attitude creates an uplifting atmosphere that inspires the entire team, making practices more productive and enjoyable. What truly makes Kole a wrestler to watch is his ability to connect with his teammates. He listens, offers support, and leads by example, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie. His resilience in the face of challenges is infectious, motivating everyone around him to stay focused and determined. In short, Kole is not only a fierce competitor but also a cornerstone of the team’s spirit and unity.
Head Coach Jim Makovsky

Minnesota State University Moorhead

We return 8 starters from last year's team and have added a recruiting class of 12 individuals who we see pushing for starting roles throughout the year. Two transfers from North Dakota State University that we are excited about are Pedro Velazquez at 141lbs and Mason Gode at 174lbs. We have added assistant coach Caden Steffen to our staff who is doing a fantastic job with the entire team and will be a great coach and partner for our upper weights.
Head Coach Kris Nelson
Isaiah is a well-rounded individual that leads by example both on the mat and in the classroom. He is an NWCA Scholar All-American. He won the Dragon Open last season and was a Midwest Classic Place winner.
Head Coach Kris Nelson

Minot State University

We have a great group of seniors leading the way this season. They bring a lot of experience and success back to our lineup. We also have some great young talent. It will be fun to see how our lineup shakes out and what we can do.
Head Coach Evan Forde
Jake is an All American who came up a little short last season. He is hungry to get back on the podium and chase a National title this season. He is also the starting center for our football team, a great student, and has been named a team captain. He is an impressive young man.
Head Coach Evan Forde

Northern State University

I think the thing that excites me the most are the unknowns. There are a lot of opportunities for new guys to step into the lineup this season so it will be exciting to see who rises to the challenge!
Head Coach Rocky Burkett
Wyatt has worked diligently all off season to put himself in the best position possible to have a great final season at Northern State. I am excited for the season to get rolling and see him take advantage of his last opportunity to go out and compete. He has been a great representative of our program since he came into our room.
Head Coach Rocky Burkett

University of Sioux Falls

We are excited about seeing how much growth our team has entering our second season. Last year we were a very young team, but we gained valuable experience throughout the season.
Head Coach Matt Meuleners
Beau is a returning National Qualifier and he is looking to end the year on the podium at NCAA's. He has been a good leader for our guys and is someone the team looks up to.
Head Coach Matt Meuleners

Southwest Minnesota State University 

This year’s team is truly exciting as we have one of our best recruiting classes coming in, and another coming off redshirt. We have a solid core of athletes who have been in our lineup, but have a lot of young guys fired up to take the mats. This combination of youth and experience will make our team one of the most exciting in the NSIC. I anticipate we will have some learning lessons but will knock of some teams we aren’t supposed to. This team will set the bar high for seasons to come!
Head Coach Chayse Jackson
In his first year with the program, Caden made huge strides as an athlete and a leader. Although only a redshirt freshman, he was elected as a team captain and has developed into one of the biggest leaders within our program. He works hard, puts in extra time, coaches our youth program, and is always there to help his teammates off the mat. Add in that he is an extreme competitor and has proven himself at the national level (being a U20 & U23 Greco All-American), and he is definitely an athlete to watch. We are excited for his first year of eligibility and can’t wait to see how he grows.
Head Coach Chayse Jackson

St. Cloud State University

I am very excited about this team this year," said Coach Steve Costanzo. "We have an abundance of talent all over our room. With a strong nucleus of experience, we also have a good contingency of talented youth. Time will tell how good this team could be, but with strong leadership, fellowship and health - this team has the potential to have a banner of a year.
Head Coach Steve Costanzo
Nick is a hard-nosed, no nonsense and very committed student-athlete. He strives to be his best in all facets of his life. Nick is very serious about his academics, career path and the sport of wrestling. We are very fortunate to call him, one-of-our-own! He is on pace to have one of the greatest careers as a Huskies wrestler and we are very excited to see what he accomplishes this season.
Head Coach Steve Costanzo

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

I think more than the previous few years is that we are starting to see more depth in our room at several weights. Our starting lineup is uncertain right now and I think that is a good problem to have. Our guys have seemed focused and have been there for each other. They are a great group of young men to be around and I look forward to our season ahead.
Head Coach Nick Becker
Reece is the epitome of a student-athlete. He's humble, hardworking, organized, intelligent, to just name a few of his personal characteristics. He leads by example and this will be his 3rd year as a team captain. He always wins and losses with class and displays a high amount of character in his everyday life. Reece is a lifelong learner and will have a tremendous impact on the next generation of our youth as he looks to start his career in elementary education after graduating.
Head Coach Nick Becker
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