Greenville, S.C. - The Lincoln Memorial University Women's Wrestling team has earned their highest-ever preseason ranking, as the Railsplitters placed sixth in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

The Railsplitters finished last season at fourth in the conference standings, the teams best finish yet to a regular season in program history, as LMU set a program record with five wins, three coming in conference play. 

Eight return to the roster for Lincoln Memorial in 2026, with three being highlighted by the conference was Wrestlers to Watch this season. Redshirt-Junior Shonticia Taft highlights the list after a career season for the Splitters, where Taft placed in the NCAA Region Three title match while being named Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week twice. In all, Taft secured 11 wins on the season, the most for any Railsplitter. 

Neveah Morgan joins Taft as a highlighted wrestler in the conference, as the Sophomore looks to capitalize off a strong freshman season. Morgan joined Taft as one of two Railsplitters to place in the 2025-26 NCAA Region Three championships, earning eight wins on the season while taking home the January Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month award. 

Rounding out the list is reining Wrestler to Watch Hannah Parrish, as the Sophomore earns preseason honors for the second time in her career. Parrish earned a key 9-6 decision against an opponent from NJCU in the Splitters season-opening match.  

Lincoln Memorial opens the 2026-27 season on the road, competing in the East Stroudsburg Open on November 1st before taking on King University in the conference opener December 2nd at home 

The full coaches' poll and Wrestlers to Watch can be found below. 

Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches' Poll 

1: King – 49 (7) 

2: Emmanuel – 43 (1) 

3: Mount Olive – 36 

4: Emory & Henry – 27 

5: Allen – 24 

6: Lincoln Memorial – 18 

7: Newberry – 16 

8: Bluefield State – 11 

2026-27 Conference Carolinas Women's Wrestling Wrestlers to Watch 
Allen 

• Cathia Timas, Sr., Kissimmee, Florida (NCWA All-America) 

• Katlyn Fields, So., Cedartown, Georgia 

• Isis Severe, So., North Miami, Florida (NCAA national qualifier) 

Bluefield State 

• Caitlynn Ashh, Jr., 117, St Albans, West Virginia 

• Charneice McClarence, Jr., 138, Atlanta, Georgia 

• Yelena Torres Guzman, Fr., 209, Dalton, Maryland 

Emmanuel 

• Karissa Turnwall, Sr., Murrieta, California (Three-time All-America, Two Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Year, All-Conference Carolinas first team, Regional champion, Pan-Am U23 Gold Medalist, U23 national champion, US Open third place) 

• Alexandra Ford, So., Laurel, Maryland (NCAA Regional third place, All-Conference Carolinas first team) 

• Gemma Templeman, Tremonton, Utah (NCAA Regional third place, All-Conference Carolinas second team) 

Emory & Henry 

• Molly Keller, Sr., 145, Fairlawn, Virginia (Two-time All-Conference Carolinas second team) 

• Rihana Carson, Jr., 160, Roanoke, Virginia 

• Eryn Hubble, 5th, 180, Leesburg, Virginia 

King 

• Stella Steigler, Sr., 160, Orange County, Virginia (Two-time All-America, Region champion) 

• Virginia Foard, Jr., 124 Madison, Virginia (Two-time All-America, Region champion) 

• Ruby Julien-Newsom, So., 130, San Diego, California (NCAA All-America, Region champion) 

Lincoln Memorial 

• Shonticia Taft, Jr., Marietta, Georgia (2025-26 NCAA Region Three placer) 

• Hannah Parrish, So., Maryville, Tennessee (Two-time USA Wrestling Team Tennessee member) 

• Neveah Morgan, So., Cleveland, Tennessee (2025-26 NCAA Region Three placer) 

Mount Olive 

• Lily Prendergast, Jr., 103, Southport, North Carolina (2026 NCAA National Championships qualifier, NCAA Region Three third place) 

• Bella Murillo, So., 131, Wilson, North Carolina (NCAA Region Three fourth place) 

• Kalyse Hill, So., 138, Daphne, Alabama (2026 NCAA National Championships qualifier, NCAA Region Three runner-up) 

Newberry 

• Lainey Hooper, Sr., 117, Fort Myers, Florida 

• Rachel Hayes, Fr., Woodruff, South Carolina 

• Serenity State, Fr., Boiling Springs, South Carolina