BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The University of Charleston is the Mountain East Conference preseason favorite in men's golf, the league announced Friday. The Golden Eagles, who captured the MEC team title last season, received nine first-place votes from league head coaches. 

Davis & Elkins, which won the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional title and represented the MEC, along with UC, in the NCAA field, was picked to finish second. 

UC won the MEC team championship on the par 72 Cobb Course at Glade Springs last October. This year's event is set for the same location, Oct. 6-8. The Golden Eagles had three of the top five finishers in that event a year ago. 

Charleston received 81 points in the poll. Davis & Elkins accumulated 67 points. Behind the frontrunners were Glenville State (55 points), a tie between Fairmont State and West Virginia Wesleyan (49 points), West Liberty (48 points), Concord (38 points), Wheeling (36 points), West Virginia State (17 points), and Point Park (10 points). 

Fairmont State received the only other first-place vote.

Half of the league begins competition on Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Wheeling Invitational in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

2025 MEC Men's Golf Preseason Poll
1. Charleston (9) — 81
2. Davis & Elkins — 67
3. Glenville State — 55
T4. Fairmont State (1) — 49
T4. West Va. Wesleyan — 49
6. West Liberty — 48
7. Concord — 38
8. Wheeling — 36
9. West Virginia St. — 17
10. Point Park — 10
* Coaches not permitted to vote for own team
( ) First-place votes