JT1Wrestle Takes a Look at Bushnell 2026-2027

 

We don't actually get to see Bushnell wrestling until 2027-2028, but nevertheless, I know I'm still excited. How can I not be? College wrestling back in Eugene, Oregon after all these years?  You know as well as I do that we need as much wrestling on the west coast as we can get.  It's been hit so friggin' hard by discontinuation, it's refreshing to finally see some growth. 

JT1Wrestle Takes a Look at Briar Cliff 2026-2027

 

I attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa from 2004 through 2007 & during my time there, I went up to Sioux City quite often. I really liked the Briar Cliff campus.  Saw some wrestling duals there & I also went up there for a few plays. I'd like to see the Chargers have some success in the years to come & they certainly have the potential to have a lightweight superstar this year. 

133
Dante Rigal

I know for a fact that talent & potential wise Dante Rigal has what it takes to win a GPAC title this season & earn NAIA All-American honors.  3rd-3rd-6th thus far in the GPAC, conference didn't turn out the way he wanted it to last season, but that was then, this is now. He won the Pepsi Patriot Open & he placed 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.  He's shown what he's capable of.  I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you there's one thing that concerns me though. He's no longer going to have Jared Gilliam in the room with him.  You know as well as I do that a lot of times, what makes a wrestler so good is the practice partner he has in the room with him. Some of the best competition Rigal got all season was in the room, going to war with Gilliam. The son of a Cuban Olympian, regardless, I still have high hopes for Rigal in '27. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Brewton Parker 2026-2027

 

A team in the south, having success with wrestlers from the south, Brewton Parker send three to the NAIA national tournament last season, & they return two of those three qualifiers. 

Arthur Reed
149

From right there in Georgia, Arthur Reed placed 4th at the Appalachian Athletic Conference last season as a freshman.  He has three more seasons of eligibility left. 

184
Zahquel Davis

From nearby Florida, Zahquel Davis was another qualifier for the Barons last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Bismarck State 2026-2027

 

Only their third year of collegiate wrestling overall & their first year of NAIA wrestling (transition from NJCAA) was last year.  A good first year in crowning three NAIA national qualifiers & may I say how cool I thought it was that they took on USPORTS powerhouse Saskatchewan in dual action.  

125
Owen Lindstrom

An NAIA qualifier for the Mystics last season, Owen Lindstrom was also a runner-up at the Dragon Open. 

141
Kameron Stiffler

An Alabama native, Kameron Stiffler was another NAIA national qualifier for Bismarck State last season. 

157
Will Sprenger

Will Sprenger returns for action in '26-'27 having posted a 4th place showing at the Heart of America, earning a spot in the NAIA national tournament. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Benedictine 2026-2027

 

To be honest, I was really shocked when Benedictine came up short of sending anyone to NAIA nationals last season.  They have some tough kids on their squad & furthermore they defeated William Penn in a dual. What I do know, is that the Ravens will be under new leadership this season, as Eric Mateo takes over the program.  Talent already exists at various weights, the potential for a good year is there. 

174
Christian Griggs

The Alabama native had some highlights last season, including winning the Service Salute. 

174
Rance Ridley

An Oklahoma native, Rance Ridley was 2nd at the Service Salute. 

184
Vince Carpena

Of Phoenix, Arizona, Vince Carpena was 3rd at the Service Salute

197
Jackson Perkins 

Jackson Perkins was 2nd at the Service Salute. 

197
Doug Blaha

Doug Blaha was 3rd at the Service Salute. 


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Ironically enough Benedictine seems to be the exact opposite of Arizona Christian.  While the Firestorm is absolutely loaded from 125 through 157, the Ravens best seem to be in the upper weights of 174, 184 & 197.  

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Bellevue 2026-2027

 

Little is known about the Bruins Wrestling team at this point, but I have to tell you I'm already excited.  Head Coach Josh Watts has brough success with him everywhere he's been.  Concordia (Nebraska, Darton State, Iowa Western, he has a long & proven track record.  For note, I had a Watts (forget the first name unfortunately) on a team with me once at a University of Nebraska wrestling camp.  Good dude, enjoyed him. I'd imagine that he's related to Coach Watts. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Avila 2026-2027

 

Eagles lose two of their stars from last season in Tyler Johnson, a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) runner-up & 8th place at the Missouri Valley Invitational, as well as Jeremiah Voliva who finished 1st & 3rd the past two KCAC's. 

197
Rodney Trotter

Among the recruits that will be coming in, the Katy, Texas native looks to be the leader among the Eagles this season.  7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational, he was 3rd at the KCAC.