JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Eureka 2026-2027

 

Kinda left in wonder in terms of Eureka wrestling for the 2026-2027 season.  I know that Billy Tucker, 6th at Regional VI last year is now out of eligibility.  The question remains in the situation with Jake Kaminski. 

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Jake Kaminski

No matches contested in '24-'25 or in '25-'26, yet Jake Kaminski remains on the roster at Eureka.  Judging based on the '23-'24 Jake Kaminski, we're looking at a pretty tough individual.  One that was at one time ranked pretty high & had such victories as Justin Matson, who himself is looking to become a four-time Regional place-winner this year.  

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Emmanuel (Massachusetts) 2026-2027

 

First year of collegiate wrestling & the Saint Bernards put three on the award stand at Regional I.  All three are back & will look to improve upon their '25-'26 seasons in '26-'27. 

133
Zach Brzoska

Zach Brzoska made history last year by becoming Emmanuel's first Regional I place-winner with an 8th place finish.  The Connecticut native won 13 matches in total over the season. 

141
Jared Hood

One half of the Hood brothers from Rhode Island, Jared won 11 matches last year for the Saint Bernards, taking 8th place at Regional I. 

165
Justin Hood

Justin Hood went 17-5 last year, placing 6th at Regional I. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Elmira 2026-2027

 

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Donavan Smith

Donavan Smith returns looking for another successful season for the Soaring Eagles of Elmira.  Last year he put together a 23-5 record, finishing 7th at Regional II.  A SUNY-AC champion, he finished as the Ithaca runner-up & 3rd at the New York States. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Elmhurst 2026-2027

 

Are we looking at two of the best Blue Jays in the making?  I believe so.  Among some great talent Elmhurst has coming in this season, they return two outstanding talents. 

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Ryan Hinger

What an outstanding rookie season Ryan Hinger had for the Blue Jays last season.  An NCAA D3 qualifier with a Regional V finish of 3rd, he was one match shy of being an All-American.  He also finished one match shy of placing at the prestigious Pete Willson Invitational. 

157
Rhenzo Augusto

Elmhurst has produced a lot of great wrestlers throughout its history, but I truly think when this young man's career is a said & done thing, we may very well be looking at the best ever.  32-3 last year as a sophomore he won a Regional V title (2nd in 2025) & he finished as the national runner-up. On top of that, he won his second Pete Willson Invitational. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Elizabethtown 2026-2027

 

The Blue Jays lose three outstanding talents as their eligibility is now up, as they return two destined for greatness in '26-'27. 

Ganon Smith had an outstanding career for Elizabethtown.  The four-time NCAA D3 qualifier earned two All-American honors (4th in 2025) making the national finals in his final go.  112 wins overall. 

Will Davis also had an outstanding career for the Blue Jays.  An NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, he finished out his career with 100 career victories. One of which was a 14-3 major decision over last year's NCAA D3 champion. 

Owen Heffner, 8th at Regional III is also out of eligibility. 

165
Justice Hockenberry

Phenomenal season for Justice Hockenberry last year.  36 wins that included a runner-up finish at Regional III & titles won at Messiah, Wilkes, Jim Crytzer, Blue Jay Classic, & Ken Ober.  If he's putting those bracket sheets up on his wall, he's running out of room! 

Sav Niewadomy
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Sav Niewadomy isn't too far behind Hockenberry in collecting those bracket sheets.  Back-to-back 5th place showings at Regional III, he's collected titles at Wilkes, the Blue Jay Classic & Ken Ober.  28 wins in '25-'26. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Dubuque 2026-2027

 

Potential. I believe that is the best word to describe Dubuque Spartan wrestling for the 2026-2027 season.  A sophomore & five seniors, there's every reason why 2026-2027 should turn out to be an outstanding year for the blue & white. Looking very forward to it. 

149
Ashton Hayhurst

The former NJCAA standout for Triton had a stellar season last year for the Spartans, nearly making the NCAA D3 championships as he finished 4th at Regional VI. 

157
Colton Weiler

23 wins on the season, Colton Weiler earned NCAA D3 qualification last season with a 3rd place showing at Regional VI.  An NWCA Academic All-American. 

165
Kale Roth

Kale Roth heads into his final season of collegiate eligibility one of the best yet to make the NCAA D3 championships.  The three-time NWCA Academic All-American has placed 8th-6th-5th thus far at Regional VI.  He was also the runner-up at the Concordia-Wisconsin Open. 

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Zane Pannell

The two-time NCAA D3 qualifier, with back-to-back Regional VI bronze medals will look to be an All-American this season. 

174
Abraham Galacia

Coaches often talk about peaking at the right time, and Abraham Galacia got the memo.  One of the biggest surprises of Regional VI last season, the California native nearly made the NCAA D3 championships, placing 4th. 

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Justin Matson

I'd put Justin Matson right alongside Kale Roth.  The heavyweight has thus far been 7th-5th-7th at Regional VI as he heads into his final year of collegiate competition.  A three-time NWCA Academic All-American, he was also a runner-up at Concordia-Wisconsin. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Cortland 2026-2027

 

93 career victories, places Angelo Centrone 15th on the long list of Dragon greats that Cortland has been producing since the 1959-1960 season. A two-time NCAA Division III All-American with finishes of 2nd & 7th, Centrone was both a two-time Regional II champion & two-time SUNY-AC champion.  Not to mention, a four-time NWCA Academic All-American. He's a favorite that will be missed. 

Christian Lievano, 5th at Regional II, is also now done with his collegiate career. 

Coming back we have two tough Dragons, looking to improve upon their 2026 accomplishments. 

133
Rocco Futia

An NWCA Academic All-American, Rocco Futia won 29 matches last season, placing 5th at Regional II.

157
Colton Havens

Another NWCA Academic All-American, Colton Havens also ended his season with a 5th place finish at Regional II. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Eastern 2026-2027

 

What standout year it was for head Coach Andrew Taylor and the Eastern Eagles.  First season of collegiate wrestling & already showing us that we're looking at a team that is going to be producing Regional III place-winners, NCAA D3 qualifiers & soon enough All-Americans year in & year out. 

All four of Eastern's Regional III place-winners return for action in '26-'27. 

125
Malik Asfour

What a career it has been thus far for Malik Asfour.  7th-3rd-2nd at Regional III, he earned 5th place All-American honors in the D3 nation last year.  27 wins, he's also been 2nd & 1st in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). 

133
Jackson Orrell

24 wins on the season for Jackson Orrell, who was 6th at Regional III. 

141
Ryan Mansueto

32 wins on the year, Ryan Mansueto finished one match shy of being an NCAA Division III qualifier last year.  The MAC runner-up. 

165
Nick DeLorenzo

A two-time MAC runner-up, Nick DeLorenzo heads into '26-'27 having posted a 7th place finish at Regional III, with 28 victories. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Delaware Valley 2026-2027

 

I tell you what. You hope season after season that everyone has highlights & positives to look back on.  You don't want anyone to suffer negatives or bad luck, but that' just not the way life works. Sometimes that's the hand we're dealt. The wrestling world is very caught up in how the transfer portal effects things at the NCAA DI level, but trust me, if you're paying attention, you can see how it effects things down at the NCAA DIII level too.  The Aggies started off '25-'26 minus some of their biggest stars gone, due to the transfer portal.  On top of it, the two biggest stars they did have, both having disappointing endings to their careers. 

Ethan Liptzin an NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, ended up having to medical forfeit out of Regional III.  26-4 on the year & a Middle Atlantic Conference runner-up, a second qualification was looking very plausible up until injury. 

Luke Moore put together 32 wins last season, unfortunately things didn't go the way they should've for him at Regionals. 


Delaware Valley has a rich & proud wrestling history, and I know within time the program is going to be built back up.  This is a school that has produced 11 NCAA D3 champions & 72 All-Americans.  '25-'26 was simply a down year, that's all. We'll see the Aggies back on top again. Mark my word. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Cornell (Iowa) 2026-2027

 

Cornell put eight on the award stand at Regional VI last year & return five of those eight for competition in 2026-2027.  Should be a good year for the Rams as they have some upperclassmen, as well as a sophomore with a lot of potential to really shine this season. 

We say goodbye to...

Jase Van Pelt, a four-time Regional VI place-winner and a guy I'd easy call one of the best in recent times to never make the NCAA D3 championships. I was having a discussion with someone about where you draw the line in speaking about college careers worth talking about. I don't know if I'm important enough of a person to get to make that call, but I will tell you that I do think Jase Van Pelt was a career worth talking about.  7th-6th-7th-5th in Regional VI is no easy accomplishment.  Placing 5th & 4th in the prestigious Pete Willson Invitational is something worth hanging your hat on. I do know that. 

Eli Sneed is another guy I'd say had a good solid career worth celebrating despite having never made the NCAA D3 tournament.  Back-to-back Regional VI 6th place showings, plus 7th at Pete Willson. 

I know for a fact Jackson Brinker is.  5th-7th-4th at Regional VI & 4th at Pete Willson. 

Austin Wilkins, 4th at Regional VI & 6th at Pete Willson. 

Maybe these guys weren't All-Americans or even qualifiers, but we as a fan base & as a media conglomerate could stand to take our heads out of the damn clouds & realize that in a 6-month season there's so much more to a wrestler's year/career than the last two days of it.  In other words, I know how bad these guys wanted Q & AA next to their names, and I also know that all four of them DID have successful collegiate careers even though that didn't happen.

149
Owen Adelfinger

Among some outstanding upperclassmen, Owen Adelfinger is a sophomore with a bright future.  23 wins on the year as a freshman, the Wilton native was 8th at both Pete Willson & Regional VI. 

157
Andrew Parrish

The funny thing about it is, I've been following this guy's career for quite some time, I'm not 100% sure what he goes by.  Whether it's Andrew, Drew, or A.J., what I can tell you is that Mr. Parrish heads into '26-'27 one of the best wrestlers at 157 lbs yet to make the D3 national tournament. 4th & 5th the past two Regional VI's, he was 3rd at the Millikin Open & 5th at Pete Willson. 

165 
Brian Petry

Cornell has made good use of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge over the years & picked up some really good talent in Omaha, Nebraska.  A two-time NCAA D3 qualifier for the Rams, with back-to-back Regional VI 3rd place showings, Brian Petry will be the leader among the Rams this season. 29 wins on the year, he won Cliff Keen Mike Duroe, finished 2nd at the Coe Invitational & he heads into '26-'27 with Pete Willson finishes of 2nd & 3rd. 

174
Nolan Howell

23 wins on the year for the former Clipper of Clear Creek Amana.  7th at Pete Willson, Nolan Howell was the runner-up at the Coe Invitational, placing 7th at Regional VI & finishing one match shy of a top 8 showing at Pete Willson. 

133
Jayson Stevens

Stepping in to the 133 lbs spot for the now graduated Eli Sneed, Jayson Stevens looks to do some good things for the Rams this season.  14 wins in 2026, he was the Under Armor Invite runner-up. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Concordia (Minnesota) 2026-2027

 

Should be an interesting season for Coach Quincy Osborne's Concordia (Minnesota) Cobbers.  Six Regional VII place-winners last year, three return for action in 2026-2027. 

Two-time Regional VII place-winner Kie Anderson, 8th & 6th, is now done.  As are William Freking who was 7th & Mason Swanson who was 8th. 

125
Hunter Mars

It's amazing sometimes what a good stroke of luck can do for someone's confidence.  Hunter Mars did not have a great freshman season overall. Boubon with the bear facts, folks.  However, it ended on somewhat of a high note.  Between one wrestled injury defaulting & another medical forfeiting, Mars found himself in 8th place at Regional VII. I've seen these types of coincidences have profound effects on wrestlers before.  Could be the case with Mars.  Perhaps it'll boost his confidence & we'll see a major turnaround between freshman & sophomore year.  

141
Jack Major

18 wins on the year for Jack Major, who was 6th at Regional VII. 

157
Chris Acuna

23 wins on the season, Chris Acuna took 5th place honors at Regional VII & 7th place at the Pete Willson Invitational. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Coe 2026-2027

 

With an assortment of sophomores, juniors & seniors, plus any tough freshmen coming in, '26-'27 ought to be one of the best seasons the Kohawks have ever had. I'm talking about an extremely tough team here.   Coe put everyone on the Regional VI award stand last year, sending 5 to the national tournament & having two come home with All-American honors.  All but two return for action. 

Gone are the Montez brothers, Zach & Tony, who both placed 6th at Regional VI. 

Back are....

125
Brayden Parke

A 2027 NCAA D3 champion contender, Brayden Parke had a phenomenal sophomore season last year.  24-6, he earned his second All-American honor (5th in 2025) by making the D3 national finals.  1st & 2nd thus far in Regional VI, he won a title at the Coe Invite & finished 3rd at North Central. 

Brody Neighbor
133

Fred Rogers' favorite wrestler won 19 matches last year in route to a 5th place showing at Regional VI.  Titles collected at the Luther Open & the Coe Invite, he was the North Central runner-up. 

141 
Dresden Grimm

After coming close to NCAA DIII qualification as a freshman & a sophomore with Regional VI finishes of 6th & 4th, Dresden Grimm punched through with a 2nd place finish last season.  Also 3rd at North Central, he will look for his second D3 qualification & his first D3 All-American honor. 

149
Ty Koedam

An NCAA D3 qualifier in 2024, Ty Koedam has been 7th & 5th in the past two Regional VI championships. 21-7 on the year, this will be his final season to recapture qualification. 

165
Bo Koedam

32-8 on the season last year as a freshman, Bo Koedam earned 7th place D3 All-American honors, winning both the Regional VI & Coe Invitational titles. 

184
Justin Wirtz

17 wins on the year for Justin Wirtz who was 5th at Regional VI. 

197
Jean Ngoma

It's not easy to keep up with everything there is to keep up with in college wrestling.  So, I don't know for sure, but I believe Jean Ngoma wrestled the first half of last season for Ellsworth Community College.  He then transferred to Coe & began competing for the Kohawks at the national duals.  I say this because same season transfers isn't something we see much of. 

Overall Ngmoa was 24-7 on the year, earning a runner-up finish at Regional VI. 

HWT
Wyatt Smith

28 wins on the year for Wyatt Smith.  3rd at Regional VI, he was one match shy of being an NCAA D3 All-American.  Champion at the Coe Invite, he was 3rd at North Central. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At United States Coast Guard Academy 2026-2027

 

Think about it for a moment.  In order to be admitted to the United States Coast Guard Academy, you are going to have to average at least a 3.7 GPA.  At least a 24 on your ACT or an 1120 on your SAT.  Then once there, you have all of the military requirements on top of your schoolwork & wrestling practice.  

Even with these extremely rigorous requirements, the USCGA still placed 9 at Regional I! Sent 5 to the NCAA DIII national tournament & placed three top 8 in the D3 nation!  

Five return for action this year, plus another that didn't place at Regionals last year, but should this season. 


Gone are....

Three-time Regional I place-winner (7th-4th-3rd) & 2026 NCAA D3 qualifier Nikko Beato. 

Nate Fitt, who must have listened to Steve Winwood a handful of times because he found himself Back in the High Life Again.  A Regional I champion in 2024; he was 5th in 2025 but came back strong to win another Regional I title in 2026.  Not only that but he earned D3 All American honors with a 6th place finish. 

Carl DiGiorgio, you have to rank him somewhere as one of the best USCGA wrestlers of all time.  96 career wins, and I believe the only four-time All-American in school history.  7th-3rd-2nd-5th in the D3 nation.  2nd-1st-1st-1st in Regional I.  The Bears have had two D3 national champions. So, depending on your perspective, standards & benchmarks, perhaps DiGiorgio is #1. 

133
Marvin Armistead

The sophomore went 20-6 last year, earning runner-up honors at Regional I. 

165
Landon Kearns

5th & 4th in Regional I, Landon Kearns heads into '26-'27 one of the best wrestlers yet to make the NCAA D3 championships. He went 25-6 last year. 

174
Mason Gourley

18 wins on the season for Mason Gourley, who was 8th at Regional I. 

184
Caden Stout

4th & 3rd thus far in Regional I, Caden Stout will look to become a Regional I champion & a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier this season. 

197
Gabe Monroe

Speaking of cementing yourself among the all time greats of USCGA wrestling, that's the plan of Gabe Monroe.  26 wins last year & 8th in the D3 nation.  Won titles at Regional I, Roger Williams & Don Parker. 

141
Dom Moyer

Dom Moyer did not place at last year's Regional I, but he had some notable victories among his 19 wins last year & should be top 8 Regional I in 2027.