NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Millikin was predicted to narrowly win the 2022 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) wrestling title based upon the results of the CCIW's annual coaches' poll announced Wednesday. 
 
The poll predicted how each team would finish at the 2022 CCIW Wrestling Championship held on Thursday, February 10 at Wheaton College. The championship begins at 2 p.m. inside the Chrouser Sports Complex.

The Big Blue won the coaches' poll with 59 points and five first place votes after recording their second-straight conference title at the 2021 CCIW Championship. North Central was narrowly picked behind the Big Blue with 57 points and three first place votes North Central is an eight-time CCIW champion including back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019 under head coach Joe Norton.

Augustana placed third in the poll with 49 points, followed by Elmhurst in fourth with 37 points and Wheaton in fifth with 35 points. Concordia-Wisconsin placed sixth with 29 points.

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Carthage and Lakeland rounded out the poll with 22, 21 and 15 points, respectively, with the Muskies also securing one first place vote. 

Voting for the 2022 CCIW Wrestling Championship Coaches’ Poll is done by the conference’s nine head wrestling coaches. Each coach votes for the eight other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (eight points for first, seven for second, etc.). Coaches do not vote for their own teams.

Carthage rejoined the CCIW as a wrestling member last season. The team is coached by Augustana graduate Alberto Quiros after two years as coach at MacMurray College. This year marks the second time since the 1993-94 season that Carthage will compete as a CCIW wrestling member. 

This will be the sixth year that Concordia-Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Lakeland will participate as associate members for wrestling. With the addition of Carthage, the CCIW Championship is slated to feature nine teams for the second time since 1985. 

The 2021-22 wrestling season kicks off on Monday, November 1, when Augustana travels to Saint Ambrose and Millikin hosts Elmhurst in dual match action.
 
2022 CCIW Wrestling Championship Coaches' Poll
 

Rank	Institution	Points (1st Pl. Votes)
1	Millikin	59 (5)
2	North Central	57 (3)
3	Augustana	49
4	Elmhurst	37
5	Wheaton	35
6	CUW	29
7	MSOE	22
8	Carthage	21
9	Lakeland	15 (1)

2021 CCIW Wrestling Championship Standings
 

Place	Institution	Score
1	Millikin	153.5
2	North Central	146.5
3	Augustana	105
4	Wheaton	87.5
5	Elmhurst	67
6	Milwaukee School of Engineering	59
7	Concordia (Wis.)	57.5
8	Carthage	15
9	Lakeland	0