JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Saint Mary 2026-2027

 

The Spires of Saint Mary bid farewell to three talents who have been staples of the program for quite some time.

Brody Gee had an outstanding career 7th-3rd-R12 at the NAIA nationals, he made the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) all-four years, winning three-titles.  Not to mention he collected four medals from the NAIA's toughest in-season tournament, the Missouri Valley Invitational going 5th-1st-4th-1st. 

One match shy of being an NAIA All-American this season, it was rewarding watching Roman De La Cruz finally win a KCAC title, seeing that he made the finals four years in a row. 

Gabe Chesbro, a KCAC champion & 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational also calls it a career. 

157
Josey Jernegan 

2nd-1st-1st in the KCAC, Josey Jernegan heads into 2026-2027 having finished one match shy of being an NAIA All-American last year.  6th & 2nd thus far at the Missouri Valley Invitational, he was also a runner-up at Oppenheim last year as well. 

165
Graham Kilpper

A KCAC champion this past year, Graham Kilpper placed 7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

174
Mike Ager

Mike Ager heads into 2026-2027 a two-time NAIA qualifier. 

HWT
Devon Lolar

One match shy of placing at the Missouri Valley Invitational, Devon Lolar impressed by taking a 6th place finish at the Grand View Open. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Simpson (California) 2026-2027

 

The Red Hawks have two tough sophomores on their team this year that I think are both capable of some big things both in this season & in the remainder of their careers. 

197
David Rapp

A wildcard NAIA qualifier last season, David Rapp won the Battle in the Bluegrass, finishing one match shy of placing at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

165
Ben Mitchell

I personally feel this kid has what it takes to be a NAIA national champion before his career is a said & done thing.  I was shocked that he had to rely on a wildcard to get into the tournament this year, especially with as well as he wrestled at the Missouri Valley Invitational.  He took 3rd there with a series of very impressive wins.  He was also a Battle in the Bluegrass champ. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Rochester Christian 2026-2027

 

Warriors qualified two to the NAIA championships last season, as one graduates & one returns. 

Gone is Nick Alayan Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) champion & 4th in the NAIA nation. 

174
Jake Gonzales

Jake Gonzales was a WHAC runner-up last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Rio Grande 2026-2027

 

2026-2027 looks to be a rebuilding year for the Red Storm as Rio Grande graduates four tough wrestlers from their roster. 

Bruce Wagers was always a treat to watch & one that I thought would be an All-American before his career was said & done.  He came close, finishing one match shy this season.  A Runner-up at the Pepsi Patriot Open, he was the Battle in the Bluegrass champion.

Westyn Moyer, a Pepsi Patriot Open champion could have another season left, but I don't think he does. 

Qualifiers Mack Freeman & Justin Bartee are both done. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Reinhardt 2026-2027

 

Talk about being in good shape. The Eagles qualified 9 to the NAIA championships last year & ALL 9 are back!! 

Furthermore, only two are seniors this year.  

Ben Stein? wow.

And, nearly all the talent is from Georgia or nearby southeast

Ben Stein? WOW

133
Zac Bosken

The Cleveland, Tennessee native was a Wildcard qualifier for the Eagles last season. 

133
Leland Camp

Lee Camp made the finals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) last season. 

141
Caden McCrary

An AAC champion last season, Caden McCrary finished 4th in the NAIA nation. 

149
Garrett Pace

Garrett Pace collected bronze medals at both the AAC & the Pepsi Patriot Open. 

157
Joabe Araujo

Joabe Araujo was a wildcard qualifier last season. 

165
Hayden Santora

Hayden Santora was yet another wildcard qualifier in 2026. 

174
Nate Buckovich

5th in the AAC last season, Nate Bukovich made the finals of the Pepsi Patriot Open & took 3rd at the Lucha Open. 

197
Aaron Riner

Another wildcard qualifier from last season, Aaron Riner

HWT 
Caleb Pruitt

Yet another wildcard qualifier from last season. Caleb Pruitt was 5th at the Lucha Open. 

125
Karmel Thompson

9 qualifiers last year, looks like it could very easily be 10 this year.  Karmel Thompson was 3rd at last year's Pepsi Patriot Open. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Pikeville 2026-2027

 

This doesn't happen to me often, but at the moment, no thoughts on Pikeville Wrestling. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Providence 2026-2027

 

If wrestling is a business, then business is looking good in Great Falls, Montana.  The Argos return 9 of 11 NAIA qualifiers from last season, plus I believe an extremely good wrestler coming off of redshirt. 


Gone is Kobi Johnson who finished off his collegiate career 2nd & 3rd in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) 

Also gone is All-American Ethan DeRoche, who finished off his career 8th in the NAIA nation. 

125
Boden Banta

The Idaho native was 4th in the CCC last season. 

133
Blake Woolsey

Blake Woolsey was also 4th in the CCC last year. 

149
Cade White

Cade White was a Wildcard qualifier to the NAIA championships last year. 

157
Pig Hobbs

I do a pretty good job of record keeping, but I'm not sure if Pig Hobbs has placed 5th at the NAIA's twice, & he'll be going for his third All-American honor, or if he's placed 5th three times, and he'll be going for his fourth All-American honor.  Either way, huge accomplishment he's going for this season.  He was 2nd at the CCC last year. 

157
Irish Furthmyre

Irish Furthmyre was 3rd at the CCC last season. 

165
Jalen Vladic

4th-4th-3rd thus far in the CCC & one match shy of being an NAIA All-American last season, Jalen Vladic will look to make the CCC finals this season & find his way onto the big award stand come March. 

165
Blaze Sumiye

Like Jalen Vladic, Blaze Sumiye will be looking for a top 8 finish in the NAIA nation, after finishing top 12 a year ago.  Thus far he's been 4th twice at the CCC. 

174
Brady Ellison

Brady Ellison was 6th at the CCC last season. 

184
Noah Poe-Hatten

NPH took a 3rd place showing at the CCC last season. 

184
Sawyer Hobbs

Now I'm not 100% positive, but I believe Sawyer Hobbs will be back in action this year as well.  Like brother Pig, Hobbs has been 5th a couple of times in the NAIA nation.  He's also 1st-1st-2nd within the CCC. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Ottawa 2026-2027

 

The Braves qualified one to the NAIA national tournament last season.  He returns, as does another hopeful. 

184
Julian Gorring

Considering that he won the Friends Falcon Open & he placed 3rd at Oppenheim, I was very surprised that his 2nd place showing at the KCAC did not get him into the NAIA national tournament last season. I'm very confident he'll make it in 2027. 

HWT
Stevie Elwell

30 wins on the season, Stevie Elwell won a KCAC title last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Oklahoma Wesleyan 2026-2027

 

I've talked about this a lot over the decades I've been covering collegiate wrestling. Sometimes in order to get the ball going, you need a star. I know not everyone likes me making WWE and/or Hollywood references, but both can help to illustrate a point. Vince McMahon knew he needed a name in the 80's & Hulk Hogan led him to one of the biggest booms in the history of professional wrestling.  Years later, he knew he needed to do it again & that's when he once again rediscovered the magic with Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

That's what Coach Tom Carr needs at Oklahoma Wesleyan, a star. The first to earn the All-American honors, and get the ball rolling for the Eagles. That someone is already on the team.  Before we get to him....

Let me say that I'm sad to be seeing Donte Lopez out of eligibility.  A KCAC runner-up last year, I thought it was complete hogwash that he didn't receive a wildcard entry into the NAIA national tournament.  I feel he wrestled well enough to be top 32, but I guess others didn't. 

Now let's talk potential....

184
Peyton Callis

This dude is only a sophomore & he's already impressed me a number of times last season as a freshman.  I know Tom Carr is itching to put someone on the NAIA award stand this year, crown another KCAC champ & I think Callis has the potential to not only do it in 2027, but do it in 2028 & 2029 too.  The opportunity presents itself.  

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Oklahoma City 2026-2027

 

Stars? In every sense of the word.  Oklahoma City absolutely dominated the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) last season, proving to be one of the best teams in NAIA wrestling.  Trust me, 2027 will be no different.  Last year Coach Ensign put Harry Houdini to shame as he David Copperfielded us right before competition started.  We could be in for such a treat this season. 

What I know so far...

7 of 11 NAIA qualifiers return, including 3 of the 5 All-Americans that were crowned last season.  

Those gone? 

John Wiley, who had a very respectable career at Oklahoma before transferring to Oklahoma city, ended his career with a SAC championship & an NAIA runner-up finish. 

Hayden Brown ended his career by winning a 2026 SAC title. 

Tate Picklo, much like Wiley, had a very respectable career at Oklahoma (which included qualifying for NCAA DI's) ended his collegiate career with an SAC title & an NAIA runner-up finish. 

Jordan Lomeli ended his career with 3rd & 1st place SAC showings. 

125
Cash Donnell

Another Oklahoma Sooner transfer, Cash Donnell won an SAC title last season. 

133
Vincent Citrano 

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Vincent Citrano won an SAC title & finished off last season 5th in the NAIA nation. 

141
Jace Province

An SAC champion, Jace Province was also 2nd at the 918. 

149
Kaden Fetterolf

Dad gritted it out on the gridiron, mom tore it up on the basketball court, so of course Kaden Fetterolf would be collecting names on the mat.  Another Sooner transfer, the won titles at both the SAC & the Friends Falcon Open, finishing 3rd in the NAIA nation. 

157
Jake Moon

The Texas Native collected silver medals at both the SAC & the 918 last season. 

184
Cole Olguin

Cole Olguin won a SAC title for the Stars last season. 

197
Omari Smith

Believe it or not, we originally lost Omari Smith to football as he originally went to Oklahoma Baptist to play for the Bison.  Yet, he had an itch to get back on the mat & what a wise decision that has been.  A two-time SAC champ, he's thus far collected 8th & 3rd NAIA All-American finishes. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Morningside 2026-2027

 

All four of the Mustangs' NAIA national qualifiers are back this year, as three seniors lead the team into 2026-2027. 

165
Zander Ernst

Zander Ernst is looking forward to another great season of collegiate wrestling as he won both the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) title & the Friends Falcon Open last year.  He ended his season 8th in the NAIA nation.

165
Carson Turnis

Carson Turnis was a GPAC runner-up last season. 

149
Caden Eggleston

A wildcard NAIA qualifier last season, Caden Eggleston was 4th at the Friends Falcon Open. 

197
Mekhi Bovee

Mekhi Bovee was another wild card NAIA qualifier last season.