WPU Ranked Seventh to Start New Year
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s lacrosse team will open the 2026 campaign in a strong position as the NAIA released its preseason top-10 poll Wednesday.
The Statesmen, who were 12-4 last year (9-0 Heart) and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals last spring, are No. 7 with 33 points. It marks the 13th-consecutive poll in which the navy and gold have been ranked.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference is also represented in the receiving votes section by Benedictine (unofficially 12th) and St. Ambrose (unofficially 14th).
Defending national champion Keiser (Fla.) is tops in the country with 60 points and all five first-place votes. Cumberlands (Ky.), last year’s runner-up, is second, while Madonna (Mich.), Webber International (Fla.), and Reinhardt (Ga.) conclude the top five.
WPU’s year begins on February 18 when it hosts Cornell in a neutral-site matchup in West Des Moines at 1 p.m.
NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Rating — January 21, 2026
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Keiser (Fla.) (5)
2. Cumberlands (Ky.)
3. Madonna (Mich.)
4. Webber International (Fla.)
5. Reinhardt (Ga.)
6. Indiana Tech
7. William Penn
8. Aquinas (Mich.)
9. Life (Ga.)
10. Lawrence Tech (Mich.)
10. Taylor (Ind.)
Receiving Votes: Benedictine (Kan.) 11; SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 8; St. Ambrose 6; Michigan-Dearborn 4; Tennessee Wesleyan 4.
