CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Men's Wrestling was selected sixth in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Preseason Poll, earning 71 points ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Mountaineers enter the new campaign looking to build on a competitive 2025-26 season under head coach Azure. Eastern Oregon finished 6-6 overall and placed third in the CCC, highlighted by upset victories over No. 9 Embry-Riddle and No. 14 Arizona Christian. EOU also sent five wrestlers to the NAIA National Championships and finished 34th nationally.

EOU returns a strong group of experienced wrestlers for the upcoming season, led by two-time All-American Nico Rodriguez, who enters his third campaign in La Grande. The Mountaineers will also welcome back national qualifiers Kai Carson, a junior; Cole Cross, a senior; and Carlos Valdez, a sophomore.

The Mountaineers will look to build on that experience with a talented incoming class. Newcomers include Idaho state champion Ryan Amourex, Washington standout Andrew Flores, and transfer Felipe Rodriguez. Flores arrives as a three-time state placer, four-time state qualifier and two-time state champion, while Felipe Rodriguez joins EOU from California Baptist University after qualifying for the California state championships twice.

With returning national championship experience, an established All-American leader and an accomplished incoming class, Eastern Oregon will look to make another push in the Cascade Collegiate Conference and compete on the national stage in 2026-27.

2026-27 CCC Men's Wrestling Preseason Poll
 

Team (First-Place Votes) Points 1. Southern Oregon University (11) 121 2. University of Providence 101 3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 99 4. Arizona Christian University 91 5. Corban University 73 6. Eastern Oregon University 71 7. Montana State University–Northern 58 8. Westcliff University 39 9. Simpson University 32 10. Hope International University 23 11. The Evergreen State College 19