JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lynchburg 2026-2027

 

As always, whenever the college wrestling world gets a new program, JT1Wrestle is excited.  Not much is known about Hornet wrestling as of the time this was written, but I do know that Vinny Barber made a really good choice by bring Trung Duong onboard.  The two-time NCAA D2 All-American for Newberry will be a great addition to the coaching staff. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At United States Merchant Marine Academy 2026-2027

 

Let me be frank.  I think it is fair to say that the USMMA did not have the Regional III they were capable of having last season.  In my opinion, and I think Coach Beau Bruno would agree, the two place-winners they did have could have placed higher & there were three others would did not place, who should have.  In my opinion there's no reason at all why the Mariners shouldn't have at least five Regional III place-winners in '26-'27.  

USMMA brings back a lot of solid talent this year.  They do lose Wes Wydick though, a two-time Centennial Collegiate Conference (CCC) champion. 

165
Viviano Gutierrez

I was really shocked when Viviano Gutierrez didn't make top 8 at Regional III last season, considering how well he competed at other points during the year.  The California native had 16 wins on season, including a huge 12-4 major decision over '25 D3 qualifier Mark Troni.  Champion at both the New York States & the CCC, he was 5th at the New Standard.  Only a sophomore, very confident he'll turn out a three-time Regional III place-winner, and very capable of D3 qualification. 

174
Andrew Huesgen

Andrew Huesgen is yet another tough freshman from last season that I was surprised to see not make top 8 at Regional III.  Winning 20 matches on the year, he was 3rd at the New York States & 5th at New Standard. 

184
Max Corrall

Yet another Mariner who did not make the top 8 at Regional III last year, who I'm very confident will be a place-winner in 2027.  A New York States runner-up, among his wins in '25-'26, he defeated D3 qualifier Carson LiCastri 10-7 s.v. 

197
Tyler Withers

6th at Regional III last season, Tyler Withers was a CCC champion. 

HWT
Grant Mathias

3rd at Ned McGinley, Grant Mathias was also 6th at Regional III last year. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At McDaniel 2026-2027

 

2025-2026 was an historical year for the Green Terror as they saw the greatest wrestler in McDaniel's history close out his legendary career.  The first thing I'll say about Thomas Monn was how much fun he was to watch. Wrestling can be an exciting sport when wrestlers go after it, take risks & hit some big moves. That's the exact style Monn wrestled. The first three-time NCAA D3 All-American in school history with finishes of 6th-5th-3rd.  At Regional III, his only hiccup was in his sophomore season (when he finished 4th) as he won titles in his freshman, junior & senior years. 144 career wins & a four-time Centennial Collegiate Conference (CCC) champion. 

Who will be the next legend for McDaniel wrestling? 

125
Isaiah Brewster

Isaiah Brewster was 8th at Regional III

174
Alex Taylor

24 victories on the season for Alex Taylor who was 8th at Regional III. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Marymount 2026-2027

 

Still a relatively young program, Marymount heads into its fifth season of competition looking to crown their first NCAA Division III qualifier, and it is likely they achieve that goal. 

165
Tallion Elliott

6th at Regional III as a sophomore & one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier a year ago as a junior, Tallion Elliott is in a great position this year to end his career as the Saints first qualifier.  Won 26 matches last year & finished 3rd at New Standard. 

197
Mo Fofana

Right there with Elliott will be Mo Fafana, who has thus far placed 5th & 7th at Regional III.  28 wins on the season, he was 5th at New Standard. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lyon 2026-2027

 

It's taking time for the Scots to adjust to the transition. NAIA for years & then a short amount of time in the NCWA, last year was Lyon's first in NCAA Division III.  This is a team that has had success in the past and will again. 

197
Eli Lupton

If there's anyone on the Scots' lineup capable of being their first star at the NCAA Division III level, it is Eli Lupton.  The Arkansas native was the highlight of their first season in D3 last year.  3rd at the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lycoming 2026-2027

 

The Warriors put six on the award stand at Regionals last season, sending three to the NCAA D3 national tournament.  Four return for action in '26-'27. 

93 career wins, it was rewarding to see Eli Crum make the NCAA D3 national tournament in his final season of competition.  He finished one match shy of qualification as a junior & it was very cool to see him win that go-to match this year as a senior. 

The Warriors also say farewell to Mike Sipps who took 6th at Regional II. 

133
Bobby Gardner

Like Eli Crum, Bobby Gardner finished his junior season one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier.  Also, like Eli Crum, Bobby Gardner looks to make the national tournament in his final season as a Warrior. 

165
Kaiden Wagner

Two-time Regional II champion Kaiden Wagner looks to win his third title this season & compete for NCAA Division III All-American honors.  A Washington & Jefferson champion last year, he was second at the Lycoming Invite. 

174
Nolan Ziegler

Two-time Regional II runner-up Nolan Ziegler looks to contend for a title this season as well as NCAA D3 All-American honors.  A Lycoming Invite champ last year. 

197
Ivan Neal

In the same boat as is Bobby Gardner.  Finished one match shy of calling himself an NCAA D3 qualifier last season & could very well end up giving Lycoming another headed to La Crosse come the post season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Luther 2026-2027

 

'26-'27 may end up being a rebuilding year for the Norsemen as '25-'26 was a stellar, standout season of Luther wrestling mainly due to some talented & dedicated seniors who put together some great careers for the white & blue. 

Clayton McDonough, what an outstanding career this guy had.  To think if not for injuries, how much better it might have been.  3rd-3rd-2nd at Regional VI, he was 4th-8th-6th in the D3 nation.  133 wins over the course of his career.  46 were this year! On top of it, he 35 pins, this year! What a fun & memorable career. 

Bryce McDonough, what an end to his story.  5th-4th-5th in Regional VI, I'm sure he was getting sick of seeing his name on JT1Wrestle's "Best to Not qualify" list.  This year he finally breaks through with a 2nd place showing at Regional VI & not only that, he caps off his career by becoming an NCAA D3 finalist! 103 career wins. 

Connor Kidd, two-time Regional VI finalist, winning a title this year & an 8th place D3 All-American in 2025.  80 career wins. 

Ben Strehlow, an NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, Regional VI finishes of 3rd & 5th. 

Peter Hollingshead, 7th at Regional VI. 

I know good and well that Luther is going to have some great recruits coming in & some wrestlers who haven't yet, but will step up into those roles this season.  However, that is an ocean's worth of talent to replace. 

141
Mateo Ochoa

The California native won 22 matches last season, finishing 7th at Regional VI & winning the Muskie Scramble. 

184
Griffin Schultz

6th at Regional VI last year, Griffin Schultz was a runner-up at the Muskie Scramble. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Linfield 2026-2027

 

The Wildcats put two on the award stand at Regional VII last season, as they lose one & they return one.  Gone is Jake Moore who placed 5th. 

184
Ethan Ensrud

7th at Regional VII, Ethan Ensrud won the Spokane Open & finished 4th at the Mat Cat Open.  20 wins on the season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At King's (Pennsylvania) 2026-2027

 

157
M.J. Turi

M.J. Turi was the star of the Monarch's in '25-'26 & he once again looks to be the star in '26-'27.  21 wins on the season he was 7th at Regional III & 4th at the Middle Atlantic Conference.  Getting it done in the classroom too, he was an NWCA Academic All-American. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Johnson & Wales 2026-2027

 

Another successful year for Johnson & Wales, as Coach Lonnie Morris put 8 on the award stand at Regional I & sent three of those 8 to the national tournament.  2026-2027 looks to be another successful season for Wildcat wrestling, I'd say a potential to be even better than 2025-2026.  We do unfortunately lose some talent, but there is a ton coming back. 

Things don't always end the way they should & it was hard watching Adolfo Betancur end his career one match shy of D3 qualification.  Nonetheless, he made it to the national tournament as a sophomore & junior, earning 6th place D3 All-American honors in 2025. Great career, 82 victories. 

Same can be said for Patrick Wisniewski.  8th in the D3 nation in 2025, came up a little short of qualification last season with a 5th place showing at Regional I. 

Tom DiResta ended his stellar career an NCAA D3 qualifier, 2nd at Regional I. 

125
Nico Rivera

If there is a lightweight university, it may very well be Johnson & Wales.  Joziah Fry one of the best 125'ers of all time.  Well, Nico Rivera might not be too far behind him.  34-7 as a freshman last year, a Regional I champion & 6th in the D3 nation.  Won titles at both Roger Williams & the Auggie Invitational. 

133
Peyton Ellis

In '24-'25, Peyton Ellis went 30-4 on the year finishing one match shy of being a D3 All-American.  Last year he was destined for greatness, sitting on an 18-2 record when he got hurt.  Before injury, he had won titles at both Roger Williams & the Auggie Invite. 

149
Jared Spahn

Jared Spahn was 5th at last year's Regional I. 

149
Ryan Currier

17 wins on the season last year.  I wouldn't be surprised if out of Spahn & Currier, if one of them went 157 to make the team stronger. 

165
Jack Richardson

5th in the D3 nation a year ago, Jack Richardson looks to become a two-time NCAA D3 All-American & a four-time Regional I place-winner in '26-'27.  4th-2nd-1st in the Regional thus far, he was 31-4 on the year, also a champion at Roger Williams. 

184
Zach Miller

25 wins on the year, Zach Miller was 5th at Regional I. 

197
Anthony Fernandez

5th at Regional I & a Roger Williams champ, Anthony Fernandez won 22 matches last year. 

HWT
Brayden Soleau

Filling in for the spot left by Betancur, Brayden Soleau won 21 matches last season.  One of which was a 7-2 decision over D3 qualifier Kam Dorchester.  He was also a runner-up at Roger Williams. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Loras 2026-2027

 

10 Regional VI place-winners, 7 NCAA D3 qualifiers, 3 All-Americans & a 17-3 dual meet record.  I realize that Coach Jaren Glosser was probably hoping for more, but I'd still call that a very successful '25-'26 season.  Loras returns a ton of talent this year, but they also lose some very valuable assets. Some wrestlers that I sure know that I'll miss seeing around. 

Gotta start with Eric Kinkaid. What a standout legendary career this guy ended up having.  After placing 3rd at Regional VI as a freshman, he went on to win three titles in what is arguably often the toughest Regional in the country. 108 career wins, he found himself on the D3 award stand three times going 4th-3rd-5th in his final three seasons. 

Dustin Bohren another great in Duhawk wrestling. A three-time NCAA D3 qualifier, winning two Regional VI championships. 7th in the D3 nation as a sophomore & comes back this year as a senior to take 3rd.  Won 100 career matches. 

Chase Fiser, a two-time Regional VI runner-up

Nosa Egbon, finished his career one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier & Kam Royster finished 8th at Regional VI. 

125
Aiden Gruenenfelder

Obviously that this kid has a very bright future ahead of him. 30-6 last year as a freshman, he placed 3rd at Regional VI earning his first trip to the NCAA Division III championships. 

133
Connor Fiser

Connor Fiser heads into this junior season now a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier with Regional VI finishes of 2nd & 1st. 

141
Aaron Boone

Look for Aaron Boone to step into the now vacant spot at 141.  An 11-2 major decision over 2025 NCAA D3 finalist Sean Conway should give indication of what he's capable of this season. 

165
Braylon Griffiths

The former Ottumwa Bulldog won 13 matches last season, placing 8th at Regional VI. 

184
Landry Barker

26 wins on the season for the Louisiana native who took runner-up honors at both Regional VI & the Concordia-Wisconsin Open. 

HWT
Jonah Clark

Wayland, Ainsworth, Crawfordsville, Olds, represent!  The former Warrior of WACO had an outstanding season last year making the Regional VI finals & finished 3rd in the D3 nation! 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lakeland 2026-2027

 

The Muskies put five on the award stand at the super competitive Regional VII last year & all five return for action in 2026-2027! 

141
Jake Hillshafer

18 wins on the year, Jaek Hillshafer made the finals of the Muskie Scramble & took 8th at Regional VII. 

149
Jesse Burg

Jesse Burg heads into '26-'27 looking to become a three-time Regional VII place-winner having thus far posted 6th & 7th place finishes.  A Champion at the Mid-States Invite, he was 3rd at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  29 wins in '26. 

165
Evan Haferkorn

Another Mid-States Invite champ for the Muskies, Evan Haferkorn was 7th at Regional VII, 22 wins on the year. 

174
Will Ohman

Will Ohman was 7th at Regional VII a year ago. 

HWT
Diego Morales

18 wins on the year, Diego Morales was 6th at Regional VII. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At KeyStone 2026-2027

 

Not sure what's up with Keystone in recent times.  '25-'26 was a rough year & numbers seem way down as of late too. Hopefully things get turned around quick & we start seeing some success for the Giants.