GREENVILLE, S.C. – The UNC Pembroke wrestling team was picked third in the 2025-26 Conference Carolinas preseason poll, league officials announced Thursday morning. 

Lander received 13 first-place votes and tallied 195 points to take the top spot ahead of Mount Olive, who picked up one first-place vote and 172 points. The Black & Gold earned 160 points to settle into he third spot with King (154 points) and Newberry (149 points and one first-place vote) rounding out the top five. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.

The Braves will open the regular season Saturday, November 1 as they head to Glenville, W. Va. for the Glenville State Open, before returning home to host the PJ Smith Pembroke Classic on Sunday, November 9.