SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb wrestling team has been picked fifth in the Southern Conference preseason poll as voted on by league coaches, while redshirt sophomore T.K. Davis and senior Josh McCutchen have been named to the preseason All-SoCon team

Chattanooga leads the way in the preseason, with 58 votes and three first place votes, followed close by The Citadel in second with 56 votes and three first place votes, and Appalachian State in third with 53 votes and two first place votes.

Bellarmine with 42 votes places fourth, just ahead of the Runnin' Bulldogs in fifth who garner 37 votes and the last remaining first place vote. Campbell is sixth with 32 votes, VMI seventh with 20 votes, Davidson eighth with 18 votes, and Presbyterian in ninth with eight total votes.

At 133 pounds, Davis enters the 2025-26 season as the defending Southern Conference Champion in the division and reigning Southern Conference Freshman of The Year. Davis posted 24 wins last winter, including an 11-1 mark against conference opponents and 12 consecutive wins between January and March. Davis is currently ranked No. 19 in his class by WrestleStat

At 197 pounds, McCutchen enters the 2025-26 looking to once again improve on his individual win total. The Fitzgerland, Ga. native won seven matches in his debut 2022-23 season, before winning 12 in 2023-24, then a career-best 14 last winter. McCutchen is currently ranked No. 72 in his class by WrestleStat

The Runnin' Bulldogs open the 2025-26 at the Rutgers Quad, scheduled for November 2nd against Rutgers, Centenary and Bloomsburg