FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Glenville State Men's & Women's Golf have both been picked to finish second in the Mountain East Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced today.
Patrick Smith, the new head coach of both programs in 2026-27, is predicted to once again have the Pioneers at the top half of the MEC this season. The women received 59 votes and were voted just behind reigning champion, Charleston, who had 72 points and nine first-place votes. Wheeling (54 points, one first-place vote), Fairmont State (55 points), Concord (40 points), Davis & Elkins (34 points), West Liberty (32 points), Shawnee State (26 points), West Virginia Wesleyan (23 points) and Point Park (12 points) round out the poll.
Smith returns MEC Freshman of the Year,
Moa Lindgren, and All-MEC First Team performer
Elaina Seeley.
Kenzie Armstrong,
Mackenzie Czapla and
Maddie Potts are also back in Pioneer blue.
On the men's side, Glenville State is once again picked to finish second in the league after another strong season under John Lilly. Smith inherited a league-contending roster, good enough to log 83 total points and a first-place vote in the preseason poll. Charleston (97 points, seven first-place votes) was selected to win the league while Wheeling (78 points, two first-place votes), Fairmont State (73 points), West Liberty (68 points, one first-place vote), Davis & Elkins (57 points), West Virginia Wesleyan (41 points), Concord (37 points), Point Park (27 points), Shawnee State (27 points) and West Virginia State (19 points) are tabbed to finish behind GSU.
All-MEC First Team selections
Fermin Perez Santandrea and
Daiki Aiura are back for the first year head coach as well as Second Team All-Conference member
Irtaza Hussain.
Both squads open 2026-27 at the University of Charleston Fall Invitational on September 8.
| 2026 MEC Women's Golf Preseason Poll |
| Rank |
School (First Place Votes) |
Voting |
| 1. |
Charleston |
72 (9) |
| 2. |
Glenville State |
59 |
| 3. |
Wheeling |
54 (1) |
| 4. |
Fairmont State |
55 |
| 5. |
Concord |
40 |
| 6. |
Davis & Elkins |
34 |
| 7. |
West Liberty |
32 |
| 8. |
Shawnee State |
26 |
| 9. |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
23 |
| 10. |
Point Park |
12 |
| 2026 MEC Men's Golf Preseason Poll |
| Rank |
School (First Place Votes) |
Voting |
| 1. |
Charleston |
97 (7) |
| 2. |
Glenville State |
83 (1) |
| 3. |
Wheeling |
78 (2) |
| 4. |
Fairmont State |
73 |
| 5. |
West Liberty |
68 (1) |
| 6. |
Davis & Elkins |
57 |
| 7. |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
41 |
| 8. |
Concord |
37 |
| T-9. |
Point Park |
27 |
| T-9. |
Shawnee State |
27 |
| 11. |
West Virginia State |
19 |
*
Coaches were not permitted to vote for own team
MEDIA
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@gsu_mens_golf and
@gsu_womensgolf for updates all season long.
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