By Sarah Turner, Sports editor 

It’s about time for Montevallo’s winter athletes to start defrosting as the 2025–26 athletic season kicks into high gear. UM teams are poised for another year of standout performances and championship pursuits. From returning All-Americans to promising newcomers, the Falcons are loaded with talent and ready to make noise across the Gulf South Conference and beyond. 

Men’s Basketball 

Expectations are sky-high for the men’s basketball team heading into the 2025–26 season, given that they’re the top ranked team in the GSC preseason poll for the first time in head coach Anthony Komara’s tenure. After a stellar campaign last winter that saw Komara lead his squad to new heights, the return of four starters from the regular lineup signals another potentially unforgettable year. Last year saw the Falcons advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2016, as well as reach the Gulf South Conference semifinals for the first time since 2008. All-conference players Brandon Fussell and Jaylen Curry were at the forefront of success, with both players combining for an average of 34.5 points per game. Both Fussell and Curry were also named Pre-Season All-GSC ahead of the 2025 season. Komara also added seven new faces to the squad in the offseason, including Air Force Academy transfer Sam Duskin, who was named to the GSC Newcomer Watchlist, and six freshmen. The team opens up their season at the Gulf South Conference and Sunshine State Conference Crossover Classic in Fort Lauderdale and will play their first home game on Nov. 24. 

Women’s Basketball 

After finishing 11–17 last season, head coach Olivia Chapman’s team enters the 2025–26 season with a refreshed roster. While several key players have departed, returning guards in junior Lia Edwards and sophomore Julia Susla bring elite offensive firepower. Five transfers are making their way to the bricks this season, joined by two true freshmen. The preseason GSC No. 8 Falcons certainly have the talent to improve on their record from last winter, and it’ll be compelling to see how they fare against tough GSC competition come December and January. Transfers Audrey Hendrix and Elyse Hughes along with freshman Emily Mouser all made the GSC Newcomer watchlist ahead of the season. The women open up their season at the GSC and SSC Crossover Classic in Daytona Beach before making their way back to Montevallo to host Talladega College on Nov 24.  

Wrestling 

Just two years ago, this program had an athlete at the top of the Division II wrestling world, and even though last season didn’t produce a national title, it was anything but a disappointment. The Falcons had a 7-8 record in dual meets, an impressive mark for a program in only its second year of existence. All-conference sophomores Jake Chisolm and Colt Brown were able to compete at the national championships at the end of the season, and both will return to the mat again this year looking to top that success. The Falcons are picked No. 7 in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll and Chisholm, along with junior Carson Freeman and sophomore Cole Hunt, were highlighted as Wrestlers to Watch in 2025. Head coach Daniel Ownbey has recruited 18 freshmen to join the program, all of whom will try to make their mark in the Conference Carolinas. There will be three chances to catch the purple and gold wrestlers in action at home this season, coming on Nov. 6 against Truett McConnell, Jan. 6 against Emmanuel College and Feb. 2 against Lander University. 

Men’s Indoor Track and Field 

Head coach Tommy Barksdale’s squad is looking to turn some heads this season, especially on the men’s side. Last February’s GSC Indoor Track championships resulted in a third place finish for the men, the highest the group had finished since 2021. Several of the key contributors for last year’s team will return to the Birmingham Crossplex this year, including junior Walter Womack. He absolutely dominated the championships with a victory in the 60m dash, a second place finish in the 200m dash, and a third place finish in the 4x400m relay, and was named the Most Outstanding Men’s Track Performer of the meet. Freshman pole vaulter Alonzo Abara is expected to immediately give the Falcons top results. The squad will compete in three meets before entering the GSC championships on Feb. 19-20, where they are strong contenders for a runner-up team finish. 

Women’s Indoor Track and Field  

The women’s track and field team recorded their highest finish at the GSC Indoor Championships ever in 2025. This past season saw several school records fall and several women earn podium spots at the GSC finale. Junior Khila Corrothers ran a school record time of 7.78 seconds in the 60m dash for a bronze medal, and she returns as a lethal weapon at the Birmingham Crossplex this winter. Senior Leah Dendy returns to pole vault competition, having earned a medal in five of the six conference championships she has competed in. Several newcomers will also join the squad this year, with freshman Lauren Byrne capable of making an immediate impact in the high jump and Cesleigh Martin able to score points in the throws.  

Men’s Swim 

Head coach Lori Riegler’s first year at the helm of the Falcons swimming program was nothing short of impressive. Aleksei Kolesnikov competed in his second consecutive NCAA national championships in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly, becoming an All-American in the latter. The Conference Carolinas Male Swimmer of the year also earned three individual conference titles, and he’ll return to the pool with high expectations for his senior season. The team as a whole brought back a second place finish to Montevallo in the program’s first year competing in the Conference Carolinas. Five true freshmen will be contributors as the Falcons look to top a successful first year in a true conference. The preseason Conference Carolinas third place team has already begun competition, but will travel to meets across the southeast before taking on the Conference Carolinas Championship on Feb. 18-21 and hopefully the NCAA national championships on March 10-14.  

Women’s Swim 

Similar to the men’s program, the women also fared well in their first year of true conference competition. The women finished in third place in the Conference Carolinas, thanks to record-breaking performances from Alexandria Morgan and Keara McGee. Morgan was named the Conference Carolinas Women’s Freshman of the Year after two individual podium finishes in the 500-yard and 1650-yard freestyle. McGee, now a senior, is hoping to top a season that took her all the way to the NCAA national championships in the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard fly. The preseason Conference Carolinas third place program has recruited two freshmen to add into the mix of talent. The squad will look to peak at the conference championships in late February in Kingsport, Tenn.