JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at New College 2026-2027

 

We all know how JT1Wrestle feels about new college wrestling programs, especially those in the southeast, in states like Florida where they are desperately needed.  Our newest edition in Sarasota, the Mighty Banyans start this season of 2026-2027 under the leadership of Koby Reyes, a former NCAA DI wrestler who spent time at Arizona State, Boise State & Purdue. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Northwestern (Iowa) 2026-2027

 

2026-2027 looks to be a rebuilding year for the Raiders in Red, as they graduate two-time GPAC champion Noah Parmelee. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Midway 2026-2027

 

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Lucas Hall

In the long illustrious history of our sport, we have had a very select few stars from the state of Mississippi.  Even less that actually wrestled for a high school in Mississippi. Lucas Hall is proof that our sport is growing. Even in places we never thought that it would.  He was 5th in the Mid-South Conference (MSC)

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Midland 2026-2027

 

The Vikings saw two at the NAIA championships last season, with one now gone & the other returning. 

Gone is Zeph Sivels, a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) champion & 4th in the NAIA nation. 

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Nate McDonald

3rd in the GPAC, Nate McDonald was the Service Salute champion & the Friends Falcon Open runner-up. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Marian 2026-2027

 

What a great season it was for the Knights of Marian last year.  11 NAIA national qualifiers, two All-Americans & a national finalists.  We say goodbye to 5, as we look forward to more achievements out of the 6 with remaining eligibility. 

What a career it was for Anthony Hughes.  A two-time NAIA All-American with finishes of 4th & 6th, he ended his career a Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) champion & 3rd at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

I honestly thought that Logan Wagner would end up a four-time All-American & win an NAIA national title before his career was all said & done.  I was so happy to see him finally break through & win that quarterfinal match that secured his All-American status.  Even happier to see him win in the semi-finals & wrestle in the finals.  A three-time WHAC champ, he was also 3rd at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Jeff Dunasky, 2nd at the WHAC & 6th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.

Jevian Ross ended one match shy of being an NAIA All-American, 3rd at the WHAC. 

Noah Hollendonner, a WHAC champ. 

Returning for the Knights....

Aiden Woods
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Aiden Woods heads into his sophomore season having placed 4th at last year's WHAC. 

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Landon Bertsch

Landon Bertch was 3rd at the WHAC, 6th at the Missouri Valley Invitational & 4th at the Battle in the Bluegrass. 

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Tiernan Boots

Also a running-back on the football team, as well as a fellow Iowan (He's from Lisbon), Tiernan Boots finished his freshman season 3rd in the WHAC & one match shy of being an NAIA All-American. 

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Christian Arberry

Could we be looking at a four-time WHAC champion? Perhaps, Christian Arberry won a title last season as a freshman. 

Braden Getz
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Silver medals collected at both the Pepsi Patriot Open & the Battle in the Bluegrass, Braden Getz was bronze at the WHAC. 

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Anthony Rinehart

Anthony Rinehart collected a series of medals last year as a freshman.  Gold at the WHAC, silver at the Missouri Valley Invitational & bronze at the Battle in the Bluegrass. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lindsey Wilson 2026-2027

 

Sometimes there just isn't enough time. Things end before they should. Such is the case with the careers of three Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders. 

Adrian Ayala, 2nd-2nd-2nd-1st in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) finished both his junior & senior year, one match shy of being an NAIA All-American. 

Alex Tabor, an MSC runner-up, finished off his career one match shy of being an All-American. 

Cory Cannan, another MSC runner-up, again, one match shy of being an All-American. 

If any of these three had one more season left, it's likely they would've attained that top 8 status.  Nonetheless the Raiders in Blue return some good talent. 

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Emmanuel Celestine

3rd at the MSC, Emmanuel Celestine was also 3rd at the Pepsi Patriot Open. 

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Ashton Habeil

It took the Florida native a while to find the right fit, but now that he has, he could end up ultimately having one of the most successful careers at Lindsey Wilson.  5th in the NAIA nation, he was 3rd at the MSC. 

HWT
Migel Perez

The Idaho native was an NAIA qualifier for the Blue Raiders last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Life 2026-2027

 

12 NAIA qualifiers & 11 of them earn All-American status.  That is just unheard of.  To top it off, it's a school in the southeastern part of the United States (where we've had the most difficulty growing the sport collegiately) made up of many wrestlers themselves from the southeastern United States. I wish everyone could truly understand how significantly important that is to our sport's growth as well as to our sport's survival. What's happening at Life is ironically enough, enriching the life (pardon the pun) of our great sport. 

6 of the 12 qualifiers, and 5 of the 11 All-Americans return this season for action, as do other tough & talented members of the team. 

Gone are....

National champion Doug Terry, who was 2nd at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) 

Two-time NAIA All American Fabian Padilla (7th & 3rd), who was also a two-time AAC champion. 

Alex Couto 4th in the NAIA & an AAC champion

Tre Morrisette, 4th in the NAIA & an AAC runner-up

Kendell Norfleet, of the famous Chicago Norfleet wrestling family.  Twice 3rd in the NAIA & 2nd & 1st last two AAC's. 

Gio Jackson, 4th in the NAIA & an AAC champion. 

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Maruo Michel

3rd in both the NAIA & the AAC last season, Mauro Michel won a title at the Georgia Open. 

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Elvis Solis

An AAC champion, Elvis Solis was 7th in the NAIA nation a year ago. 

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Rocky Raby

2nd in the AAC, Rocky Raby finished off last season 5th in the NAIA nation.  He also was the runner-up at the Georgia Open & the Lucha Open champion. 

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Reese Jones

An AAC champion, Reese Jones was also 5th in the NAIA nation.  Placed 3rd at the Grand View Open. 

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Konlin Weaver

Konlin Weaver proved last season that even if things don't turn out the way you wanted them to at the qualifier, they can still turn out the way you want them to at the NAIA national tournament.  7th at the AAC, he was 6th at the NAIA's. 

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Efren Arizmendez

He was the lone Runnin' Eagle last season to leave the NAIA's without a medal & I'm sure that has him fired up to earn one in 2027.  Efren Arizmendez was 5th at the AAC last season. 

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Mikey Doerr

Mikey Doerr won the Mustang Invitational last season. 

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Anthony Lowe

Anthony Lowe was also a Mustang Invitational champion last season. 

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Isaiah Rubio

Isaiah Rubio won the Battle In the Bluegrass last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes a Look at Kesier 2026-2027

 

The Seahawks had a fantastic final Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament last season & it looks like they're going to have a great first Southern States Athletic Conference tournament this year.  8 NAIA qualifiers last year, and they return 7 of them! 

Josiah Fernandez is the only one out of eligibility. 

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Anthony Santos

Anthony Santos qualified for the NAIA championships last year as a Wildcard selection. 

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Patrick Jones

An AAC champion last season, Patrick Jones was 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational & 3rd at the Georgia Open. 

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Ronald Butler

6th in the AAC, Ronald Butler was 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

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Sam Libby

One match shy of being an NAIA All-American last season, Sam Libby was 3rd in the AAC & a Pepsi Patriot Open champion. 

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Jett McCauley

A wildcard qualifier last season, Jett McCauley was 4th at the Georgia Open. 

HWT
Daguy Massillon

Daguy Massillon was another Wildcard entry to the NAIA national tournament. 

HWT
Jordan Sommers

Jordan Sommers is the lone senior in this lineup of talent. Gives you a pretty good indication that not only are things looking good for 2026-2027, but if everyone stays healthy, things are looking good for 2027-2028.  Sommers made the AAC finals last season, collecting an NAIA All-American honor of 6th place.  He was also 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

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