JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Findlay 2026-2027

 

Perspective is everything isn't it?  In the estimation of JT1Wrestle, I'd call putting all 10 of my wrestlers on the award stand at Super Region III a success.  You have teams like Tiffin, Glenville State, Grand Valley State, Ashland & West Liberty, that is NOT an easy thing to do.  That is something that should be celebrated. On the same hand, they all finished a match or so out of D2 qualification, and I know that has to leave a bitter taste in Coach Shawn Nelson's mouth. Half the lineup returns this year, all with great potential, as the other half is now out of eligibility. 


One match away, Billy Smith finished 4th at Super Region III last year, also one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic.  Was a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) runner-up. 

Ashton Anderson cemented himself one of the best not to make the NCAA D2 championships during his career.  4th-5th-4th at Super Region III.  Won a G-MAC title this year. 

Gary Nilson, 3rd in the GMAC, finished off his career 5th in Super Region III

Chase Stein, 6th in Super Region III

I'd put Giulian Bodiu up there with Ashton Anderson.  Tough kid who never did make the D2 tournament, but deserves recognition for the accomplishments that he did have. 6th-4th-6th in Super Region III, the highlight of his final season was capturing 8th at the Midwest Classic.  3rd at the G-MAC. 

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Nate Knowlton

Although he was 6th at last year's Super Region III, Nate Knowlton is most certainly capable of a 3rd place or higher finish in 2027.  22 wins on the season he won the Findlay Open & he also won a G-MAC title. 

149
Micah Cottrell

24 wins on the season Micah Cottrell was one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier last season.  3rd at the Findlay Open, he was 2nd at the G-MAC. 

157
A.J. Parrish

Findlay was more than happy to give A.J. Parrish a home after Cleveland State turned their back on him.  6th at Super Region III, he was 3rd in the G-MAC.

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Donavyn Watts

Winning 15 matches last year, Donavyn Watts was 5th at Super Region III & 3rd in the G-MAC

197
Ronnie Thomas

6th at Super Region III last year, & 3rd in the G-MAC, Ronnie Thomas won 14 matches last year. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Fort Hays State 2026-2027

 

2025-2026 was a rebuilding year for the Tigers, but nonetheless they still managed to get Cason Lindsey through & secure an NCAA D2 qualifier as he finished 3rd at Super Region VI.  Looking forward to what they have coming in for '26-'27. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Dury 2026-2027

 

The Panthers put three on the award stand at Super Region IV last season & all three, plus another who should've placed but didn't return to action in 2026-2027. 

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Bryson Humphries

Intestinal fortitude.  One of the things that makes me love this sport so much is the how mentally tough so many of the people are that are in it. Bryson Humphries dealt with injuries last season & still had the guts to take 3rd place at Super Region IV & call himself an NCAA D2 qualifier.  Runner-up finishes at both the Drury Open & Kaufman Brand, he won 19 matches. 

149
Mason Knight

14 wins on the season, Mason Knight took 6th at Super Region IV & he won the Drury Open. 

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Jeremiah Halter

An NCAA D2 qualifier in 2025, Jeremiah Halter thus far has finishes of 3rd & 5th at Super Region IV.  19 wins on the year, he was 2nd at the Drury Open & 3rd at Tom Smith. 

HWT
Hunter Tennison

Hunter Tennison coming up short of a top 6 finish at Super Region IV last year really threw me for a loop.  Among his wins, he throttled All-American Cale Gray 11-3. I'd be very shocked if he doesn't place top 6 (capable of placing a lot higher) this year. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Emory & Henry 2026-2027

 

Rough season for the Wasps last year.  Hope to see them turn it around. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Felician 2026-2027

 

The Golden Falcons return two of their three Super Region I place-winners from last season as we head into 2026-2027. 

Alex Dorce finished off his career with a 5th place showing at Super Region I

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Eddie Terreri

Eddie Terreri made history two seasons ago by becoming the Golden Falcons first NCAA D2 qualifier, when he finished 2nd at Super Region I.  Last year he went 28-5 on the year, finishing 5th at Super Region I & winning an East Stroudsburg title.  He'll look to make history once again in '26-'27 by becoming at two-time D2 qualifier. 

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Jeremy Quezeda

Jeremy Quezeda won 15 matches last year for the Golden Falcons, finishing 5th at Super Region I

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Ferrum 2026-2027

 

Truth of the matter is, one of the toughest things to predict is how a team will do in their first year after the transition.  A former NCAA D3 team, that has competed NCWA the past couple of seasons, this will be Ferrum's first year of official NCAA Division II competition.  The Panthers have a good Coach, and I do think we'll see good things out of the black & gold.  This year? 

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Zeke Keel

Among the Panthers that stick out to JT1Wrestle heading into 2026-2027, Zeke Keel stands out.  The youngest won the NCWA title last season & I think he can do some big things in NCAA D2. 

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Josiah Canales

Another Panther than looked tough last season was Josiah Canales.  15 wins, winning titles at the James Madison Open & the Builder Invitational.  

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Frostburg State 2026-2027

 

The Bobcats suffer a bit of blow as sensational, standout freshman Tanner Halling, who won a Super Region I title & finished 6th in the D2 nation, has decided to continue his career at Gannon.  Frostburg State also says goodbye to Alex Blake, who during his career had some nice wins & finished 3rd at the Mountain East Conference (MEC). 

Meanwhile, the red, white & black have some tough wrestlers returning to the lineup, looking to enhance upon successes from yester season. 

Amir Wray-Hill
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3rd in the MEC, Amir Wray-Hill finished 5th at last year's Super Region I

141
Chase Bell

One Match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier last year, Chase Bell won 12 matches last season. 

149
Gage Heilburn

14 wins on the season, Gage Heilburn made the MEC finals & finished 5th at Super Region I

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Andrew Wolfanger

Andrew Wolfanger ended 2025-2026, with a 6th place finish at Super Region I

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Grand Valley State 2026-2027

 

Years ago when I wrote a "Gone, Lost & Forgotten" article on Grand Valley State, I wrote extensively about the accomplishments of the Laker wrestling program & all of the credentials they had gathered during their time on the mat. I had someone message me that there was currently work being done to revive the Grand Valley State wrestling program, and he ensured me that if it were reinstated, that they'd be just as good...if not better than yesteryear. 

A man of his word. 

GVSU put all 10 on the award stand at Super Region III last year, 8 of those 10 made the NCAA D2 national tournament.  We're heading into only the 4th season since Laker wrestling has been revived & already they have two-runner up finishes at Super Region III. 

Heading into 2026-2027, 6 of the place-winners return. 

Gone are....

Jack Parker, a Bellarmine transfer who finished 3rd at Super Region III & 6th in the D2 nation. 

Chris Donathan, a four-time NCAA D2 qualifier who finished his final three Super Region III's 2nd-1st-1st.  His final two NCAA D2 tournaments 5th & 6th.  79 career wins. 

Caden Jacobs, 6th at Super Region III

Josh Kenny, what a career full of highs & lows this young man had.  1st-2nd-2nd at Super Region III, he won a NCAA D2 national title as a sophomore. Finished 7th as a junior & came up a bit short of a third All-American honor as a senior.  However, in placing 2nd & 4th his sophomore & junior seasons, he did win a Midwest Classic title this year as a senior.  75 career wins. 

Coming back...

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Jak Keller

An NCAA D2 qualifier for the Lakers last season, Jake Keller has thus far been 4th & 3rd in Super Region III.  19 wins on the season, he was 3rd at the Findlay Open. 

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Preston LeFevre

18 wins on the season for Preston LeFevre who was 6th at Super Region III. 

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Maclain Morency

An NCAA D2 qualifier for the blue, black & white, Maclain Morencey has Super Region III finishes of 5th & 3rd. 

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Brad Mayse

26 wins on the year, Brad Mayse earned NCAA D2 qualification with a 3rd place showing at Super Region III.  He was also one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic. 

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Brayden Mirjavadi

2nd & 3rd thus far in Super Region III, Brayden Mirjavadi will look to become a three-time NCAA D2 qualifier as he competes for All-American status.  7th at the Midwest Classic as a freshman, he was R12 at last year's tournament. 

HWT
Carter Blough

The two-time Super Region III champion has posted back-to-back All American finishes of 8th & 4th the past two seasons.  Also a two-time Midwest Classic champion, he won both the Findlay Open, as well as the NCAA DI Michigan State Open last season.  35 wins on the year. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Jamestown 2026-2027

 

I think the Jimmies are still in the transitional phase & aren't quite eligible for the NCAA Division II post season yet.  They do have a wrestler I'll be keeping an eye on this season though. 

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Elijah Nose

Elijah Nose won 10 matches last season & finished 3rd in the NCWA. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Kentucky Wesleyan 2026-2027

 

My honest opinion?  Jacob Lorentz hasn't had long enough to really do anything yet.  He was thrown onto a sinking ship & told to keep it from foundering. I'm giving it more time before I make any calls. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Gannon 2026-2027

 

Know the game, keep up with the times & stay ahead of the curve. This is why Gannon has been as successful as what they have been.  This is why they went 12-1, finished 4th in the prestigious Midwest Classic & won Super Region I.  The Golden Knights understand the atmosphere of today's environment, and they are playing the game about as well as anyone. 

Impressive enough that the Golden Knights put all 10 wrestlers on the award stand at Super Region I, all but 9 made the NCAA D2 national tournament! And the one who didn't, only missed it by one match! 

The Maroon & Gold do lose some outstanding talents, but they also bring back a lot of outstanding talent. 

Gone are....

Jerry Echevarria.  Talk about a guy with intestinal fortitude, three times during his career he came back to capture 3rd place at Super Region I & earn NCAA D2 qualification.  An All-American in his sophomore & junior seasons, he finished 5th & 7th.  A three-time Midwest Classic champion, 5th-8th-1st overall. American International eat your heart out. 

Two-time NCAA D2 qualifier Kenny Kiser, 2nd & 1st at Super Region I

Dillon Walker, who earned NCAA D2 All-American status for Mercyhurst back in 2022, finished off his career one match shy of qualifying. 

Joey Lyons, a former Cleveland State wrestler, who took 2nd at Super Region I & 5th in the D2 Nation. 

Dorian Crosby, who had an outstanding collegiate career.  A two-time NCAA DI qualifier for Bucknell, and then a two-time Super Region I champion who earned a 3rd place finish at the NCAA D2 championships as a junior, before winning a national title as a senior. 

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Logan Sallot

2nd & 1st at Super Region thus far. Logan Sallot finished 7th in the D2 nation last year.  24 wins on the season, he also took 6th at the Midwest Classic. 

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Tanner Halling

The Golden Knights sure did pick up a good one in Tanner Halling.  Last year as a freshman he won Super Region I & finished 6th in the D2 nation competing for Frostburg States. 

141
Jake Niffenegger

I would imagine that Jake Niffenegger is probably heading into 2026-2027 with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.  7th & 6th in the D2 nation in previous seasons, he came up a little short of All-American honor #3 last year.  23-4 on the season, he was 4th at the Midwest Classic. 

157
Holden Huhn

18-5 on the year, Holden Huhn won the Super Region I & finished 7th in the D2 nation. 

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Grant McKay

The former Pittsburgh Panther went 25-4 on the season, winning a Super Region I title

184
Patrick Jackson

The two-time Super Region I champ, took 8th place in the D2 nation a year ago & 4th at the Midwest Classic. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Glenville State 2026-2027

 

Coach Cottrell put all 10 of his varsity wrestlers on the award stand at Super Region III last year, sending 6 of them to the NCAA D2 championships. 4 of the 6 qualifiers came home with All-American honors.  He returns half of the lineup from last season, as he sends the other half out into the world where they are sure to be as successful off the mat as they were on it. 

Colton Drousias ends his career with 3rd & 5th place showings at Super Region III.  8th in the D2 nation as a junior, he ended his career at two-time Midwest Classic Place-winner with showings of 6th & 8th. 

Ethan Hardy won 102 matches for the Pioneers during his career.  A Midwest Classic Champion, he was 2nd at Super Region III & 7th in the D2 nation in his final season. 

Gabe Onorato, a two-time Super Region III runner-up, with D2 All-American finishes of 8th & 4th. 

Ethan Lopez who took 5th at Super Region III

Colby Whitehill who took 5th at Super Region III this season & placed 8th at the Midwest Classic as a junior. 

**NOTE** - I'm not currently sure on the status of Hayden Pummell.  Obviously, the royal blue & white are stronger with him, as would be anyone.  We're talking about a guy that has titles at both Super Region III & the Midwest Classic. His '25 season ended with injury & last year, he won the Pioneer open and then disappeared after a loss against DI West Virginia. Was he injured again? I don't know the story.  Maybe back, maybe gone.  That's why it currently remains an asterisk. 

133
Zach Parker

A Super Region III champion & 5th in the D2 nation, the California native won 27 matches this past season.  One match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic. 

157
Jimmie Bailes

A Super Region III runner-up, Jimmie Bailes was one match shy of D2 All-American honors.  He was the runner-up at the Pioneer Open. 

157
Moses Eads

With as good as Jimmie Bailes is, Moses Eads will be gunning for the 157 spot himself. He won 26 matches last year. 

165
Leo Hess

Leo Hess earned NCAA D2 qualification with a 2nd place finish at Super Region III

165
Shawn Taylor

Just caught wind that former West Virginia Mountaineer Shawn Taylor will be competing for the Pioneers this year.  He was 7th at last year's Midlands, with wins over Mac Church & Ryan Burgos. 

174
Roman Onorato

Roman Onorato earned 6th place honors at Super Region III last year

197
Nick Johnson

Already a legend with three Super Region III titles, Nick Johnson has been 5th & 2nd in the D2 nation thus far, and 3rd & 1st at the Midwest Classic.  On top of it all, he's a linebacker on the football team!! 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Indianapolis 2026-2027

 

Looks to be a great year for Greyhound wrestling, as Indianapolis returns 7 of their 9 Super Region IV place-winners from last season. 

Cale Gray had a tremendous career for the crimson & grey, a four-time NCAA D2 qualifier who had D2 All-American finishes of 4th & 7th.  Finished 4th at this year's Midwest Classic. 

Zach Haughton also finished off his career with a 6th place finish at Super Region IV. 

125
Nathan Smith

6th-3rd-2nd, Nathan Smith heads into 2026-2027 looking to become a four-time Super Region IV place-winner & a three-time NCAA D2 qualifier.  15 wins on the year, he was 2nd at the Findlay Open & one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic. 

133
Aidan Sprague

19 wins on the season for Aidan Sprague who was 6th at Super Region IV & 4th at the Midwest Classic. 

149
Gavin Garcia

The NCAA D2 qualifier was 2nd at Super Region IV & one match shy of being a Midwest Classic place-winner.  22 wins on the season he won the Pioneer Open & finished 3rd at Kaufman Brand. 

157
Mike Ortega

Mike Ortega earned NCAA D2 qualification last season with a 3rd place finish at Super Region IV. 24 wins on the season, he was also 3rd at the Little States. 

165
Logan Farnell

5th at Super Region IV, Logan Farnell won 16 matches last season. 

184
Christian Chavez

19 wins on the year, Christian Chavez was 5th at Super Region IV

197
Ethan Farnell

29 wins on the season for Ethan Farnell who earned NCAA D2 qualification with a 3rd place showing at Super Region IV. He was also 3rd at both the Findlay Open & the Little States.