CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has released its 2026 baseball preseason coaches’ poll, and Coe College has been selected as the frontrunner. The Kohawks earned 64 points and eight first-place votes. Buena Vista comes in as the runner-up favorite with 57 points and one first-place vote. Wartburg College (41 points) and Luther College (38 points) followed closely. 
 

2026 American Rivers Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Place	Team (First-place votes)	Points
1.	Coe (8)	64
2.	Buena Vista (1)	57
3.	Wartburg	41
4.	Luther	38
5.	Nebraska Wesleyan	33
6.	Loras	30
7.	Central	23
8.	Univ. of Dubuque	20
9.	Simpson	18

 
The 2026 season officially kicks off on Saturday, February 14 as Buena Vista and Central are in action. The conference three-game series slate begins on Friday, March 20. The conference schedule will run through Saturday, May 2. The top six teams at the conclusion of the conference regular season will advance to the conference tournament and the tournament champion will receive the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. 
 
Coe College enters the 2026 season as the preseason favorite after finishing second in the league standings a season ago after posting a 28-13 overall record. Head coach Steve Cook, now in his 30th season at the helm, returns a core of proven contributors despite graduating a large senior class. All-conference selections Jack Walsh, Ryan Thoreson, and Jon Wille provide leadership at key positions. Coe continues to be a consistent contender at the top of the conference. 
 
“We're excited about the potential of our team and looking forward to the competitive battles we'll have in the A-R-C," said Cook.
 
The defending conference champions, Buena Vista University, come into 2026 with high expectations despite roster turnover. Head coach Steve Eddie, in his 26th season, returns four positional starters and ten pitchers from a team that went 33-12 overall and reached the NCAA Tournament. 2025 A-R-C Rookie of the Year, Kaden Struck, headlines the returning all-conference talent, joined by Logan Lape-Brinkman and Dylan Johnson. 
 
"We are excited about the opportunity to create a new identity in 2026,” added Eddie. “We have a great group of guys who have been patient and learned from some of our great leaders from the last few years.  We should see improvement each and every week and hope to be battle tested enough to compete once we get to conference play."
 
Wartburg College looks to build on a fourth-place finish from a season ago under third-year head coach Casey Klunder. Despite graduating 21 seniors and returning no all-conference performers, the Knights remain optimistic about a group that has embraced leadership and development during the offseason. With four position starters and four pitchers returning, Wartburg remains in the conversation of a tightly packed A-R-C. 
 
"It would be easy to draw the conclusion from the outside that we could go through growing pains this year having lost 21 seniors and being one of the few teams in the A-R-C to not return an all-conference player, but I really like this team,” said Klunder. “I will speak for the entire staff that we have really enjoyed working with these guys.  Dating back to the fall, they have approached things the right way, specifically their character, work ethic, and leadership. Last year, after the two teams that earned first-round byes, only a few games separated the league.  This year it could be even more contested, knowing that a couple of the teams that just missed the tournament bring back the most experience."  
 
Luther College finished third in the A-R-C standings last season and returns a veteran pitching staff that could become a major strength during the 2026 season. Head coach Bryan Nikkel welcomes back 14 pitchers, including all-conference selection CJ Beadraux, while Zach Gwost anchors the outfield and Gavin Scurr handles business behind the plate. 
 
“Every A-R-C weekend is a battle,” added Nikkel. “Many great players graduated from a lot of programs, including ours. So I expect this year to be as wild as ever. We return some key position players from last year who are ready to step up to the challenge ahead. We will have an extremely veteran pitching staff, which will be the key to our success."
 
Nebraska Wesleyan University continues its upward trajectory under second-year head coach Jeff Christy after finishing sixth in 2025 and racing all the way to the championship game in the conference tournament. The Prairie Wolves return Easton Johnson, an all-conference third baseman, and bring back a balanced mix of position players and pitchers. With last season marking a step forward, Nebraska Wesleyan aims to build consistency and challenge toward the top half of the standings in one of Division III’s most competitive conferences. 
 
“As a program, we are looking to continue making strides to compete toward the top of the conference,” said Christy. “Last year was a step in the right direction. With that said, each conference week brings new challenges, and the conference is very competitive top to bottom. We are excited about the players we have coming back and hope to continue building a winning culture moving forward."
 
Loras College enters the season with six returning position players and ten pitchers under veteran head coach Carl Tebon. All-conference returners Jackson Cullen, Vince Polizzi, and Cody Sunny give the Duhawks experience throughout the lineup. Loras will blend youth and experience during the 2026 season. 
 
"A new, post extra eligibility era begins in the A-R-C and the NCAA,” wrote Tebon. “With a ton of talent leaving, I’m excited to see a young group of players across the conference step into a new role. This year, more than ever, I could see any team hoisting the trophy at the end of the season."
 
Central College brings back a significant portion of its lineup after returning eight position players and seven pitchers from last season. Head coach Adam Carey, entering his third season, saw steady growth throughout the fall and believes the Dutch are positioned to compete during the 2026 season. All-conference performers Garrett Guenther and Mark Kenney return to anchor a roster focused on taking the next step in conference action. 
 
"We saw a lot of growth this fall and are excited to get the 2026 season started with our experienced group, along with some new faces,” said Carey. “We look forward to competing in such a deep league, top to bottom, with so many talented players and veteran coaches."
 
The University of Dubuque Spartans return an even mix of experience and newcomers after finishing seventh a season ago. Head coach Dan Spain enters his third season leading a team that graduated several key contributors but remains committed to developing depth. With five position players and five pitchers returning, UD looks to see players step into expanded roles as the 2026 season progresses. 
“Although we graduated some key pieces, we have a team full of unproven players that are committed to the team and their role,” added Spain.

Simpson College rounds out the preseason poll after a fifth-place finish in 2025. Head coach Nathan Roling welcomes back eight position players and several all-conference performers, including Nate Cagley, Jacob Roberts, Drew Carlson, and Trenten Kingrey. While the Storm graduated key pieces of the pitching staff, the returning lineup provides a foundation as Simpson looks to navigate another demanding conference season. 

 "The 2026 campaign looks to be an exciting challenge for our group. I've liked the work that we've put in so far and am eager to see this team compete in the always strong A-R-C. "

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