JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lake Erie 2026-2027

 

The Storm returns half of the Super Region III place-winners that were crowned last season, as we head into 2026-2027.

Gone are...

Tony Sagaris an NCAA D2 qualifier in 2025, who finished 2nd & 5th the past two Super Region III's.  He earned back to back Great-Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) bronze medal showings his junior & senior years. 

Colin Roberts, an NWCA Academic All-American, who was 5th at the Super Region III & 3rd in the G-MAC. 

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Carsen Richards

An NWCA Academic All-American, Carson Richards qualified for the NCAA D2 championships last year when he finished 3rd at Super Region III.  He was also 3rd in the G-MAC. 

157
Josh Howey

Another NWCA Scholar All-American, Josh Howey was one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier last year.  A G-MAC finalist. 

JT1Wrestle Takes a Look At Mary 2026-2027

 

I tell you what.  Even though the Marauders lose an outstanding HWT, they return 9 outstanding talents this season & are looking to have one of their best seasons yet in 2026-2027.  There's a lot of reason to think this is going to be a blue, white & orange celebration.

Before we get to that, the outstanding HWT....

Luke Tweeton sure did do a lot for the Marauders during his career.  2nd-1st-2nd-2nd at Super Region V he made the national tournament every time he tried & he placed 8th in the D2 nation his sophomore year.  3rd at the Midwest Classic as a senior. 

Now take a look at the artillery coming back....

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Ben DeForest

Going to be a couple of good wrestle offs for Mary this season. Ben DeForest won 18 matches last season, coming up a bit short of both a top 6 finish at Super Region V & a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic. 

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Mason Gutenberger

Another strong candidate for the 125 lbs varsity spot will be Mason Gutenberger.  15 wins on the season, silver at the Dakota Wesleyan Open & bronze at the Jimmie Open. 

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Jake Strausbaugh

The Alaskan native took 3rd at Super Region V & then won the NCAA Division II national title.  Also, a champion at the Jimmie Open & the Dakota Wesleyan Open.  Did I mention that he's only a sophomore? 

141
Sean Solis

Sean Solis heads into his final season of collegiate eligibility looking to contend for a NCAA D2 national title, after finishing 3rd & 4th in the D2 nation the past two years.  1st-1st at Super Region V, the California native will look to become a three-timer there as well. 

149
Kaden DeCouteau

 
20 wins on the season, Kaden DeCoutea ended 2026 with a 5th place showing at Super Region V.  3rd at the Dragon Open, he was the Tyler Plummer runner-up. 

157
Kade Renner

7th in the D2 nation in 2025, Kade Renner looks to get back to form after coming up short of placing at last year's Super Region V.  He was also one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic. 

157
Kale Baumann

Renner's first major test of 2026-2027 will be right in the room, as Kale Baumann a talented sophomore will also be gunning for that 157 sport. Baumann won 12 matches last season, winning titles at both the Jimmie Open & the Dakota Wesleyan Open. 

165
Lane Ewing

31 wins on the season for the NCAA All-American who finished 2nd at Super Region V & 3rd in the D2 nation. He was one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic & 2nd in the Dakota Wesleyan Open. 

184
Sam Bruss

Sam Bruss placed 6th at Super Region V last year. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Maryville Wrestling 2026-2027

 

2026-2027 may end up being a bit of a rebuilding year for the Saints as Maryville graduates some very good wrestlers from its lineup.  

J.P. Homfield was a super tough wrestler, a very good one that came close but did not make the NCAA D2 tournament during his career.  6th & 4th in the past two Super Region IV tournaments. 

Cole Ritter, what an outstanding career he had. 5th-2nd-1st-2nd at Super Region IV & 5th-1st-8th in the D2 nation.  He was also 4th at the Midwest Classic as a freshman, coming one match shy of placing as both a sophomore & a junior, coming back strong this year to take 6th.  103 career wins. 

Jeremiah Larson, 4th-3rd-1st at Super Region IV & finishing off his career 8th in the D2 nation. 

Jonovan Smith, 5th at Super Region IV. 

Coming back...

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Elijah Almarinez

The California native won 20 matches last season, finishing 5th at Super Region IV

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Nick Zamora

A native of Texas, Nick Zamora made the Super Region IV finals last year, winning 21 matches & finishing one match shy of D2 All-American honors. 

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Mustafa Salimi
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The native of Afghanistan & former Triton Trojan, Mustafa Salimi finished 6th at Super Region IV last year.  4th at the Grand View Open, he was one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At McKendree 2026-2027

 

I have no doubt in my mind that shortly into 2026-2027, we'll be introduced to some new outstanding Bearcats.  As for now, I can tell you that among the four standout talents that McKendree has coming back, the white & purple graduate some absolute phenomenal talent. 

Thaddeus Long was an NAIA national finalist & NAIA national champion before he came to McKendree to wrestle NCAA Division II.  He made the most of his one & only season in D2, finishing 3rd at the Midwest Classic, 2nd at Super Region IV & 7th at the National championships. 

Ronan Schuelke closed out his illustrious career going 2nd-2nd-3rd at Super Region IV, & 3rd-7th-1st in the D2 nation.  98 career wins. 

Cale Hoskinson, one of the best not to make the NCAA D2 championships, 5th & 4th in the D2 nation.  8th at the Midwest Classic & 89 career wins. 

Zeke Waltz an NCAA D2 qualifier as a junior, who was one match shy in both his sophomore & senior seasons, 4th-3rd-4th at Super Region IV.  Also placed 8th at the Midwest Classic as a junior. 

Logan Kvien, 3rd-3rd-1st-2nd at Super Region IV & 6th-3rd-R12-4th in the D2 nation.  85 career wins, made the Midwest Classic finals this year. 

Talk about talent, and they have a lot coming back too....

165
Sam Richardson

A Super Region IV champion last year, Sam Richardson finished off 2026 4th in the D2 nation.  5th at the Midwest Classic & 3rd at the Pointer Open. 

184
Darion Johnson

The former NJCAA superstar for Western Wyoming proved himself pure platinum last year winning titles at both Super Region IV & the D2 nation. 25-3 on the year, he was 3rd at the Midwest Classic. 

Casey Olszowka
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Casey Olszowka won 15 matches last season during his redshirt year. 

HWT
Tyler Haynes

Two-time NCAA D2 qualifier Tyler Haynes returns to the lineup in 2026-2027. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lincoln Memorial 2026-2027

 

No real thoughts on Railsplitter wrestling as we head into 2026-2027. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Minnesota State Mankato 2026-2027

 

The Mavericks say goodbye to a few outstanding talents, as we also return some outstanding talents heading into 2026-2027.

Caleb Meunier had an outstanding career for the Purple & Gold.  An NCAA D2 All-American in 2025, he won 112 matches finishing 6th-2nd-4th at Super Region V. 

4th-5th-4th, freshman, sophomore & junior season, it was very rewarding to finally see Kole Marko get over that hump & make the NCAA D2 championships with a 3rd place finish at Super Region V. 86 career wins. 

Drake Hayward, an outstanding career for the Mavericks.  3rd & 2nd in Super Region V, he was 3rd & 7th in the D2 nation. 107 career victories. 

125
Jake Fitzpatrick

27 wins on the season, Jake Fitzpatrick has been close to NCAA D2 qualification in both his freshman & sophomore seasons, going 5th & 4th at Super Region V respectively. 

133
Chase Beckett

An NCAA D2 qualifier for the Mavericks last season, Chase Becket won 28 matches finishing 2nd at Super Region V. He was also the runner-up at the Auggie Invite. 

133
Dom Ducato

We have ourselves perhaps one of the best wrestle-offs in the D2 nation as Dom Ducato, who won the Super Region V title & placed 4th at nationals also joins the Mavericks this season.  

141
Colton Hush

Colton Hush is appropriately named as he has been silencing both his critics & his opponents the last two seasons.  Back-to-back 3rd place showings at Super Region V, he was also bronze in the D3 nation, winning 29 matches last year.  A runner-up at the Dakota Wesleyan Open. 

149
Walker Bents

25 wins on the season, Walker Bents has twice been 6th at Super Region V.  A Pointer Open champion last year. 

165
Derek Johnson

Dom Ducato isn't the only former Husky who will now be competing for the Mavericks.  Johnson was 5th at last year's Super Region V. 

184
Evan Farley

Despite having a losing record last year, Evan Farely still finished the season one match shy of D2 qualification. 

184
Cole Glazier

Cole Glazier, yet another former St Cloud Husky, has thus far earned D2 All-American finishes of 8th & 7th.  He'll look to become a three-time All-American this year repping the purple & gold. 

197
Jaquan East

The former Indian Hills Warrior finished off the season 6th in Super Region V, with 14 victories. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Minot State 2026-2027

 

Gavin Turk who placed 6th at Super Region VI last year has decided to continue his career at St. Cloud State. 

133
Cole Faircloth

The Las Vegas, Nevada native won 19 matches last year, finishing 5th at Super Region VI

197
Shafer Ehmke

Shafer Ehmke won 14 matches for the Beavers last season & will contend for Super Region placement this season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Mount Olive 2026-2027

 

The Trojans return four of their six Super Region II place-winners from last season, plus two NCAA D2 qualifiers from years' past

I thought it was so cool the way Jack MacKiernan was able to give one last finger salute to American International, by telling the school through his actions what he thought of them discontinuing the wrestling program. Finishing 3rd at Super Region II, he became a two-time NCAA D2 qualifier overall, ending his career with 88 victories. 

Mount Olive also says goodbye to Slade Calhoun, who finished off his career one match shy of D2 qualification. 

141
Ben Hernandez

11 wins on the year, Ben Hernandez heads into his junior season of competition with 5th & 6th place finishes thus far in Super Region II.  He was one match shy of being top 8 at the Midwest Classic. 

149
Hunter Newell

Another 11 match winner for the Trojans, Hunter Newell took 6th at Super Region II

157
Brent Nicolosi

Only a junior, and already a two-time Super Region II finalist, who won a title this past season.  Brent Nicolosi finished 8th in the D2 nation for the green & white. 

174
Cole Hivnor

An NCAA D2 qualifier in 2024, Cole Hivnor came up a little short of a top 6 showing at Super Region II last year. He'll look to redeem himself in '26-'27. 

184
Calan Staub

Fresh off a redshirt, two-time NCAA D2 qualifier Calan Staub returns to the Trojan lineup. 

197
Raife Smart

Like teammate Ben Hernandez, Raife Smart heads into his junior season with 5th & 6th place finishes at Super Region II

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Menlo 2026-2027

 

I don't know for sure if the Oaks will officially be a part of NCAA D2 wrestling this season or if they are still in the transitioning stages.  What I do know is that if they are officially NCAA D2 this year, that they have two wrestlers that for sure should stand out most. 

149
Tyger Taam

Tyer Taam went 8-0 in competition last season, winning a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) title. 

197
Diego Morales

18-4 on the year, Diego Morales won the MPSF, finished 2nd at the Mile High Open & 3rd at the Menlo Open. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Millersville 2026-2027

 

 As we head into the 81st season of Marauder wrestling, Millersville returns all 6 of their Super Region I place-winners from last season. 

125
Gavin Boland

14 wins on the year, Gavin Boland was one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier. 

141
Nick Cottone

An NCAA D2 qualifier in 2025, Nick Cottone came up a little short last year when he finished 5th at Super Region I.  15 wins on the season, he was 6th at the Midwest Classic & 3rd at the Pepsi Patriot Open. 

157

Richie DeFulvio

An NCAA D2 qualifier with a Super Region I runner-up finish, Richie DeFulvio also won the Pointer Open. 

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Chase Bish

19 wins on the season, Chase Bish was 6th at Super Region I

174
Jack Weldon

Also placing 6th at Super Region I, was Jack Weldon

197
Jaxon Townsend

Jaxon Townsend finished off '25-'26 one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier