The Talent Staying Home - The best of NCAA Division III to Not qualify - 2026 (Part 4 197 & HWT)

 *NOTE* - Two things I want to say before giving my list of the top 197'ers & HWTs that did not qualify for the NCAA D3 championships this year.  1 - 197 & HWT were the only weight classes where all those ranked in the top 20 are going to nationals.  Still a lot of great wrestlers who didn't make it, but the 20 projected to be qualifiers, were qualifiers.  I thought that was pretty interesting.  2 - I want to remind you all that this is only including varsity wrestlers. Wrestlers who tried to qualify for the 2026 championships, but came up short.  I say this because the HWT weight class is full of tremendous backups/reserves this season.  I'm talking some of the reserves had better overall resumes than the starters. HWT saw some graduation this season & believe you me, the replacements are looking good.  Matter of fact there are a few 2026 D3 qualifiers who every loss they had this year, was to a backup!! Blows your mind doesn't it? 

Anyway, the list.....

Josh Negron
Castleton
197

My heart goes out to Josh Negron.  In his one & only season as the post-season varsity starter, he racked up 36 wins on the year, with five of them being over NCAA D3 qualifiers.  He himself, finishing one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier. 92 career wins in all.  Here are those four wins. 

4-0 over Regional 1 runner-up Zach Borzio
5-0 & 2-1 over Nick Ross 3rd at Regional 1
7-2 over Regional 2 runner-up Ryan Galka
6-2 over Mateo Casillas 3rd at Regional 5

Will Davis
Elizabethtown
197

An NCAA D3 R12'er in 2025, Will Davis came up one match short of making a return trip to the national tournament finishing in 4th place at Regional 1.  A 33-5 senior campaign, he actually nearly tech'd Mohammed Talebi who later defeated him for 3rd, 14-3 at Regional 3.  He also nearly majored Regional 4 champion Myles Johnson 10-3.  Davis ended his time with the Blue Jays with 100 career wins. 

John Santowski
Washington & Lee
197

5th-4th-4th in Regional 4.  John Santowski came close during his time as a general, but no cigar.  14-4 in his final year in D3 wrestling, he was 1st-1st-2nd at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. 

Jackson Brinker
Cornell (IA)
197

95 career wins & 45 of them via fall, Jackson Brinker is yet another testimony to just how insanely hard it can be to qualify for the NCAA Division III championships.  5th-7th-4th at Regional 6, one of the highlights of '25-'26 was placing 4th at Pete Willson.  Had a 2-0 decision over Sam West who upended him for the trip to Cedar Rapids on the year. 

Ben Strehlow
Luther
197

An NCAA DIII qualifier last year, Ben Strehlow came up a bit short in his final season, finishing 5th at Regional 5.  He was 23-8 on the year, with a 4-1 win over Sam West & a 5-1 over Regional 6 runner-up Jean Ngoma. 

Kain Killmer
UW-Platteville
197

7th & 6th the past two Regional 7's, Kain Killmer provides depth to just how insanely loaded these Regional tournaments often are.  25 wins on the year, Killmer stuck Regional 6 champion Cal Dorota at the 2:34 mark & he majored Regional 7 3rd place finisher Ian Pepple 15-7. The Pioneer has two years of eligibility left. 

Tucker Seidel
Messiah
197

The freshman won 40 matches this season, took 8th at Pete Willson & finished 5th at Regional 3.  Among his wins a 6-1 decision over Regional 1 runner-up Zach Borzio. Will continue to do great things for Messiah the next three years. 

Ivan Neal
Lycoming
197

Ivan Neal, who had a 4-1 win over Regional 2 champion Carson LiCastri, finished one match shy of D3 qualification with a 4th place finish at Regional 2.  Neal has one season of eligibility remaining. 

Abe Keep
PSU-Behrends
197

An Edinboro transfer, sophomore Abe Keep finished off the season 18-5, with a 6th place showing at Regional 2.  On the season, he majored Regional 2 champion Carson LiCastri 9-0. 

Joe Bernard
WPI
197

25 wins on the season, Joe Bernard finished 6th at Regional 1.  Had a 9-6 win over Regional 2 champion Carson LiCastri.  Has the '26-'27 season to go in his career.

Tyler Haydon
UW-Whitewater
197

Tyler Haydon belong on this list? I don't know.  With a 16-22 record, probably not.  Yet, here's the thing, the guy saved his best wrestling for last finishing 4th at Regional 5.  On top of that had an 11-2 major over Mateo Casillas at the Regional 5 tournament! 



Last but not least, the HWT's....

Adolfo Betancur
Johnson & Wales
HWT

A two-time NCAA D3 qualifier & 6th in the D3 Nation last season, it made me cringe to see Adolfo Betancur come up one match short of seeing qualification #3. Nonetheless, to demonstrate just how tough Betancur is, he stuck Regional 7 champion Tyler Raway at the 3:18 mark. 

Sav Niewadomy
Elizabethtown
HWT

28-8 on the season, sophomore Sav Niewadomy now has back-to-back 5th place showings at Regional 3.  A 1:27 fall over Regional 2 runner-up Mike Welsh. 

Scotty Edwards
Muskingum
HWT

Another tough sophomore, Scotty Edwards went 21-8 on the season, finishing one match shy of NCAA D3 qualification at Regional 4.  On the year had a 5-1 win over Tom Lunt who was 3rd at Regional 5.  He actually defeated Nick Cook 4th at Regional 4 5-2 s.v., but then lost a close one to him in the match to go. 

Leno Campbell
Millikin
HWT

An NCAA D3 qualifier last season, Leno Campbell came up a bit short of qualification #2 in his final season with the Big Blue. He was 5th at Regional 5.  On the year stuck Tom Lunt at 5:31

Ka'Ron Lewis
Ozarks
HWT

Looking back, I feel that Ka'Ron Lewis should've had a much better career than what he did. Every season & I mean every season he had the type of wins that support the argument.  For the life of me, I don't think I'll ever understand why he chose to go neutral when down 1-0 in the match to qualify for nationals.  Was taken down & then he immediately got an escape. So, the idea that he couldn't escape at this point is null & void.  I digress. 

On the year Lewis majored Owen Reber 3rd at Regional 3 10-1.  He also nearly majored Nick Cook 3rd at Regional 4 8-1. 

Troy Dyszkiewicz
Ohio Northern
HWT

24 wins on the season, freshman Dyszkiewicz has plenty of reason to be confident heading into his sophomore year in '26-'27.  5th at Regional 4, he proved himself to be a pinner this year.  4:39 over Regional 5 runner-up Cayden Bell & 5:17 over Regional 5 3rd place finisher Tom Lunt. 

Steve Marra
Mount Union
HWT

Steve Marra is evidence of how unforgiving this sport can be at times.  One match from qualifying last year, Marra didn't even place at Regional 4 this year.  Nonetheless, he demonstrated throughout the season why he does belong on this list.  4th at Pete Willson, had a 4-3 decision over Nick Cook & a 4-2 decision over Tom Lunt. 

==== 

Are there other HWTs who could make the list? I'm sure there are, just like there are at every weight class. Nonetheless, JT1Wrestle did his best to include those who belong.  My goal here was to demonstrate that qualifying for D3 nationals is no joke.  It's a grueling grind, that deserves respect & recognition for the accomplishment that it is.  I believe I've made my case. 

2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship Preview (Friday March 6th-Saturday March 7th)

 

Buffalo, New York, here we come! It is time for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championships! Each weight class has x amount of allocations & most of them have more than the number going, eligible to take a spot.  Let's take a look at our 10 weights. 

125

Despite all three of these guys being ranked in the top 33, only two of them will be making the trip to Cleveland, Ohio when it is all said & done.  Tyler Klinsky our *1 seed, a 2024 NCAA DI qualifier has 15 wins on the season, including a 9-3 decision over Trevor Clawson. 

West, 17-5 on the year is a three-time MAC place-winner with finishes of 3rd-2nd-1st thus far.  A 13-2 major over Clawson, he has yet to face Klinsky this season but does own three victories over him overall. 

Clawson is 22-5 on the year. 

133

5 worthy candidates & only four spots available.  Who will be the odd man out? 

Markel Baker 23-3 on the year, is looking for his first trip to the NCAA DI tournament.  4th in the MAC last year, he's also our *1 seed.  Owns a close 4-2 decision over Marcel Lopez, who ironically enough is also looking for his first trip to the NCAA DI championships.  19-5 on the year, he owns a tiebreaker win over Will Betancourt. 

Sometimes it's an advantage, sometimes it's a disadvantage, but Betancourt at 20-7 on the season, hasn't faced any of the other top candidates here in the MAC yet. 

21-8 on the year & a two-time MAC champion, I find it hard to believe that Gable Strickland won't at least live up to his *4 seed.  Wouldn't be surprised at all to see him exceed it. 

On paper Joey Fischer is our odd man out. 2nd-5th-6th in the MAC thus far, every season he's shown glimpses of promise.  19-8 currently, the glimpse of '25-'26 was an 8-2 decision over Strickland.  The guy has had the talent & the tools to be an NCAA DI qualifier every year.  This is his final shot to make the dance. 

141

The MAC finalists get to go to the NCAA DI tournament & I'm 99.99% positive these are our finalists.  One of California Baptist's first NCAA DI qualifiers, Eli Griffin is having a very good season for the Broncos with a 22-6 record.  Two of those wins are over Wyatt Henson by a 12-2 major decision & a much closer 4-3 decision.  Henson 21-5 on the year, is a two-time MAC champion. 

149

My first time of really diving in and studying the MAC was all the way back in 2002. Weird to think about, but some of my readers weren't even born yet!! I like that I can pass for a lot younger than what I actually am!  While which schools are a part of the conference & which schools aren't has changed over the years, there's one factor that remains consistent.  Weird stuff happens in the MAC.  When qualification is on the line, it effects guys in different ways.  There are four allocations on the line here & seeds say one thing.  We'll see if on the mat says the same, or something different. 

Caleb Tyus has been one of the biggest surprises of the year.  Here's a guy that is a two-time national qualifier, but at the beginning of the season, I don't think many were considering him a top 8 wrestler. I know for a fact none of the wrestling media was looking at him as a possible NCAA DI finalist.  And now look where we are.  He's 19-1 with a #2 ranking.  Our *2 seed, Lucas Kapusta is 21-4 on the year. 

3rd in the MAC championships last year, Kaiden Cassidy is slotted to once again finish in 3rd place this tournament.  15-2 on the year, while they haven't met in '25-'26, it should be noted that he does own two wins over Kapusta. 

If Cleveland State had any brains in its head or hearts in its chest, Dylan Layton would still be representing the Vikings.  No doubt about it, the Broncos are happy to have him as a rep.  He is 22-8 on the year. 

Per paper the odd men out are Ryan Michaels & Jimmy Nugent, but trust me, you don't want to overlook either of these qualifier candidates.  Michaels is 20-7 on the year & he's given both Kapusta & Cassidy very close matches this year.  Nugent has 18 wins on the year & he actually defeated Cassidy 7-5 in recent dual action. 

157

Here's where shits gonna hit the fan.  Four allocation spots & I'll be extremely shocked if seeds hold up *1-*2-*3-*4 in order.  I predict some crazy things are going to happen this MAC championship, and if you want a good place to start, I'd pick 157. 

21-7 on the year Mason Shrader was the MAC runner-up last season.  He owns an 11-7 decision over Derek Raike & a 4-2 decision over D.J. McGee. 

Raike is 16-5 on the year, owns a 7-3 decision over Kaleb Burgess. 

McGee, 2nd & 1st thus far in the MAC, is 21-3 on the year.  Owns an 8-5 s.v. over Burgess. 

Burgess 15-5 this season, owns an 11-3 major over Shrader.  So you get an idea of what I'm talking about, but I'm not done yet. 

Let's throw Nick Stampoulos into the mix.  No big wins on the year for the Bald Eagle, but he gave Shrader a 4-3 match & he took McGee into sudden victory before dropping an 8-5 decision. 

Some might be rolling their eyes at JT1wreste for including 7-12 Landon Johnson in the discussion.  That's fine, you go ahead and roll your eyes.  Johnson is exactly the type of wrestler I was referring to when I said, "Some are different when qualification is on the line."  This weird mixture of Adam Duritz, Bob Marley & Weird Al Yankovic all rolled into one, was 3rd in the MAC last year.  Gave both Burgess & Stampoulos close matches earlier this season. 

165

The top 2 allocated here at 165 & like 141, you can pretty much put it writing.  Brock Woodcock & Ryan Burgos are only separated by one spot in the rankings, but Woodcock proved they're much further apart on the mat by tech'ing Burgos 18-0 earlier this year.  Woodcock is 22-8 on the year & Burgos an NCAA DI qualifier in 2023 is 20-5. 

174

Three allocations here at 174 lbs. 

3rd in the MAC last season, Avery Bassett at 21-6 takes the *1 seed. 

Garrett Thompson 11-2 on the year & a 6-1 decision over Logan Messer.  Thus far the Bobcat has been 2nd & 1st in the MAC. 

Messer, 22-6 on the year owns a 4-1 decision over Bassett. 

Enrique Mungia?  Well, considering he was the MAC champ a year ago, I think it's only appropriate to include him.  Now the thing about Munguia is that he could come into this tournament, go 0-2 & not even place.  He could also, just as easily not only win the bracket, but walk away with MAC outstanding wrestler of the tournament!!  He wrestled Bassett to a 9-6 loss & he wrestled Messer to a 4-1 loss.   He's sorta like the weather we get here in the Midwest, so bring sunblock & a jacket. 

184

Three allocations here at 174 & I believe these will be the three that are going. 

A two-time NCAA DI qualifier in 2022 & 2023, I think Sal Perrine really surprised himself by not qualifying for the championships in 2024.  Taking 2025 to redshirt, he's not only back, but back with a vengeance, seeded *1 looking to win an MAC title. 

Here to challenge him will be Jared McGill of Edinboro, 14-2 on the season & an MAC runner-up last season, as well as Malachi Duvall who was 3rd in last year's MAC championships, with a 22-4 record. McGill & Duvall should prove to be an excellent semi-final, as McGill edged Duvall 6-3 s.v. recently. 

197

Only the finalist are headed to the NCAA DI championships from the MAC this season.  

Brock Zurawski an NCAA DI qualifier last year, is 18-4 on the year. 

Zayne Lehman, much like teammate Sal Perrine, really surprised himself by not qualifying for the NCAA DI championships in 2024, after having qualified in 2023.  He too took 2025 off & is currently carrying a 16-2 record looking to challenge for the MAC title. 

If there be anyone in the bracket to spoil the plans of either Zurawski or Lehman, that someone is Tucker Hogan.  He lost a 6-1 match earlier this year to Zurawski, but has 18 wins on the year. 

HWT

The finalist of the MAC are packing up for Cleveland, Ohio & like 141 & 165, you can pretty much bet on these two.  

Devon Dawson, another of the many former Pratt NJCAA stars strutting their stuff in higher divisions, is 26-5 on the season.  Bryan Caves is 18-10.  Dawson owns 15-7 & 7-6 decisions over Caves. 

The Talent Staying Home - The best of NCAA Division III to Not qualify - 2026 (Part 3 165, 174 & 184)

 *NOTE* - 165 lbs was a weird weight for the '25-'26 season.   For one there were a ton of backups/reserves with wins over NCAA D3 qualifiers! Like way more than you would expect. Secondly & even more concerning, were the # of NCAA D3 qualifiers with losses to guys that didn't even place in their Regional.  That really threw me off.  I guess it goes to show how much of a convoluted mess the whole qualifying system is in NCAA Division III.  I think you'll get a better glimpse of what I'm saying as you read along. 

#11
Jon Harvey
UW-Eau Claire
165

Entering Regional 7 with a 17-4 record, Jon Harvey won two matches & then lost three extremely close matches in a row to finish in 6th place.  On the year had two victories over Regional 7 3rd place finisher Dylan Cariveau by scores of 10-6 & 7-3.  Also had a 7-4 decision over Regional 4 runner-up Cade Parent. 

#15
Ethan Composto
Gettysburg
165

Ethan Composto getting beat out of Regional III really threw me for a loop.  I thought the bullet would be lead poisoning all the way up until the finals, where he would meet the bulletproof vest that is Keegan DeMarest. I don't know what went wrong for the Petrofes runner-up.  On the season he nearly majored the runner-up Justice Hockenberry-Folk & he defeated 3rd place finisher Nicky Bell 9-5.   The light at the end of the tunnel here is, Composto has another season to go. 

#16
Kale Roth
Dubuque
165

I had the privilege of interviewing this class act a few months ago at a quadrangular.  Simply put, Kale Roth was a victim of an incredibly stacked weight class in Regional 6.  24-5 on the year, he finished 5th at the Regional & he was the Concordia (Wis) runner-up.  He too has one more season of collegiate eligibility left. 

#19
Landon Kearns
USCGA
165

My heart goes out to Landon Kearns.  4th a year ago in Regional 1, this year he finishes 5th.   When he goes into his senior season of '26-'27, he'll easily make the list for best yet to qualify.  Hell, he'll probably make the best for best yet to All-American.  Trust me, the guy has proven himself.  25-6 on the season. Let me tell you about some of his wins. 

4-3 tiebreaker over Regional 1 champion Jack Richardson
4-2 over Regional 1 runner-up Jashon Holmes
8-5 over Regional 2 3rd placer Tyler Roe
21-7 major over Regional 3 3rd placer Nicky Bell 

U.R. 
Mark Troni
Washington & Lee

80 career wins, a four time Old-Dominion Athletic Conference finalist & a four-time Regional 4 place-winner.  I'm sure Mark Troni wanted to add another NCAA D3 qualification to his resume, but nonetheless, I'd say the General had himself a pretty fine career.  He was 7th-5th-3rd-4th in his Regional appearances.  Had a 13-3 major decision over Justice Hockenberry-Folk. 

U.R.
Joey Jens
Millikin
165

I thought before his career was all said & done that Joey Jens would have called himself an NCAA D3 qualifier at least once.  Didn't happen, but he did come awful close twice.  5th last year & 4th this year in Regional 5.  A Collegiate Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin champion, he finished out just a handful of wins shy of 100.  I must add how much the Jens brothers remind me of the Uker brothers from years back, Mike & Ben.  Style, the way they carry themselves off the mat.  They even sorta look like them. 

U.R. 
Aiden Brosinski
Wartburg
165

I don't know if Aiden Brosinski has more eligibility left or not.  I'd like to think that he does.  4th the past two Regional 6's in a row, the Knight finished off '25-'26 with a 19-7 record.  A champion at the Concordia (WIS) open. 

U.R.
Aiden Stecker 
Mount Union 
165

I believe Mount Union could very well be looking at their next All-American in Aiden Stecker.  The freshman won 21 matches this season, including sticking Regional 4 3rd place finisher Ben Hegler at the 2:18 mark.  Finishing 5th at Regional 5, he was 8th at Pete Willson.

U.R.
Mike Roberts
Westminster
165

"Go for broke" Mike Roberts was a guy that went for it every time he stepped onto the mat. 4th-6th-8th-6th at Regional 6, he never did make the NCAA D3 championships, but he did have a great career.  An exciting wrestler that went for it every time he stepped on the mat, regardless of who he was wrestling.  He was fearless & a 3:29 fall over Tanner Gerber, who will contend for the 2026 D3 title in a couple of weeks is proof enough of that.  Matter of fact, Roberts racked up 19 falls this year alone! 

U.R.
Mekhi Cave
North Central
165

Freshmen can sometimes take a while to work out the kinks in their first year of collegiate wrestling & I think that's the case with Mekhi Cave.  At North Central he is under phenomenal guidance & leadership, and I think all mistakes will be fixed, as strengths will be maximized.  In other words, I think in the years coming, Mekhi Cave will be very good.  Beat out of Regional 5 this year, Cave showed promise various times throughout '25-'26.  A 3-2 win over Regional 6 champion Boe Koedam, & a 6-5 win over Regional 2 runner-up Carter Davis. 

U.R.
Taggart Kazmierczak
Wheaton
165

Beat out of Regional 5 & a record just above .500 some might roll their eyes at me for including Taggart Kazmierczak on this list.  I'll tell you why included him.  8-5 & 10-6 wins over Brayden Peet.  A 15-6 major over Ben Hegler.  4th at Pete Willson.  This guy is obviously a hot & cold wrestler.  Has one more season of eligibility left. 



Two others that some might include on the list are freshmen Viviano Gutierrez of USMMA & Austin Dipzinski of Heidelberg. Both had wins over 2026 NCAA D3 qualifiers. 

Now for 174...

I said we weren't going to count backups/reserves in our evaluation, and we won't be, but I have to note this. Eddie Simes, Noah Leisgang's backup at UW-La Crosse is they best backup in all of NCAA D3 wrestling. I'm talking good enough to be an NCAA D3 champion next year. 

#12
Carson Trotzer
UW-Stevens Point
174

6th-4th-4th at Regional 7, Carson Trotzer now enters the world of best yet to qualify for NCAA D3 championships.  23-7 on the year, 5th at the Concordia (Wis) Open, 3rd at the WIAC & a Pete Willson champ.  Wins over Jack Hoffman (3rd R4) & Jermaine Butler (2nd R5).  He'll be a senior in '26-'27. 

#13
Preston Carlisle
UW-Eau Claire
174

Unfortunately there will not be another shot for Preston Carlisle.  The Blugold closes out his senior campaign as one of the best in NCAA D3 wrestling to not make the 2026 national tournament.  5th the past two Regional 7's, as well as 5th at Pete Willson, here are the notable wins he had this season. 

2:22 fall over Zach Needles 3rd at Regional 3
10-5 over Xavier Preston who is now a three-time NCAA D3 qualifier 
8-2 over Regional 5 runner-up Jermaine Butler
10-5 over Nick Alexander 3rd at Regional 7 

I'd say despite having never made the D3 championships, that's still a very impressive list of wins! 

U.R.
Patrick Wisniewski
Johnson & Wales
174

I don't know the specifics of the situation.  Teammate & Rider transfer Shane Reitsma had the #20 ranking & wrestled a ot more this season. Wisniewski, 8th in the D3 nation last season, finished off his career with a record of 6-6.  Not sure if it was a straight up Reitsma was beating Wisniewski out for the spot, or if injuries were involved.  What I do know is that Wisniewski placed 5th at Regional 1 & it should be noted that while at Regional 1, he handed Jake DeGuire a 7-3 loss.  It is thus far DeGuire's only loss on the season. 

U.R.
Ian Flanagan
Stevens Tech
174

A 20+ match winner this season, Ian Flanagan finished one match shy of earning NCAA D3 qualification.  Among his wins, a 16-10 decision over Jack Hoffman who was 3rd at Regional 4. 

U.R.
Tony Cerulli
Ursinus
174

90 career wins, 35 of them this season & back-to-back 4th place finishes at Regional 3.  Yeah, a guy like Tony Cerulli belongs on a list like this.  Runner-up finishes at both the Racich Rumble & the New Standard Invite, Cerulli is one I'm sure Coach Jamison is going to miss having around next season. 

U.R.
Aiden Ashburn
John Carroll
174

An NCAA D3 R12'er back in 2024, things didn't quite end the way they should have for Aiden Ashburn of John Carroll.  He finished out his collegiate wrestling career with 22 wins this season, one of which was a 1:42 fall over Jack Hoffman who was 3rd at Regional 4.  Ashburn himself was 5th at Regional 5. 

U.R.
Christian Gilbert
Carthage
174

Heart goes out to Christian Gilbert.  Hate to see a guys' career end the way his did, but this is the sport of wrestling and that is the way it goes sometimes.  Gilbert was beaten out of Regional 7, which by having both #12 Carson Trotzer & #13 Preston Carlisle both not Q out of, you know how tough of a qualifier it was!  Despite not placing at R7, Gilbert still had a very notable final year of wrestling.  29 wins on the season & not just any wins. We're talking....

8-5 sv. over Regional 5 champ Jaylen Young
17-11 over Regional 5 runner-up Jermaine Butler 
8-5 over Regional 5 3rd place finisher Jake Luce 


There are other names for 174, but that is JT1Wrestle's list. 

Now for 184...


*NOTE* - Usually the wild, crazy, chaos of collegiate wrestling is saved for the lower weights. It's usually 125 & 133, where things can become a disarray of madness.  However, things up here at 184 are seeking serious psychiatric evaluation.  To start things off, 7 of the top 20 wrestlers at 184 are staying home.  That's well of 1/4 of the wrestlers that earned a top 20 ranking this season....and they are NOT going to the NCAA D3 championships.  The other point I have to make is that of those that are going, many of them didn't wrestle at 184 all season.  We had many move down from 197 towards the end of the year, some at the very tail end of it.  A few others that wrestled a lot of matches at 174.  As I explained in evaluating other weights, I'm sticking to the 184 lbs weight class, when I talk the 184 lbs weight class. 

This list is long...real long, but every name I have on here, belongs on here, and I'll more than provide justification as to why. 

#6
Myles Leonard
Springfield
184

The four-time NWCA Academic All-American won 100 matches during his NCAA D3 wrestling career.  He only lost twice this season & unfortunately that put him at the dreaded 4th place finish in Regional 1.  Among his wins on the season, an 8-1 decision over Regional 1 runner-up Desi McLaughlin. 

#10
Hayden McLellan
Alvernia
184

Things may not have ended the way Hayden McLellan wanted them to this season, but he should be headed into '26-'27 with a lot of hope & confidence.  The sophomore collected 41 wins this year & a Petrofes championship.  A 5-2 decision over Regional 3 runner-up Justin Mayes, McLellan has Regional 3 finishes of 8th & 5th thus far. 

#11
Abdoul Akala
Albright
184

The freshman learned how cruel & unforgiving the world of collegiate wrestling can be sometimes, when he came up short of a top 8 finish at Regional 3.  Nonetheless, with three seasons left in his career, the future looks bright for Abdoul Akala. 26-5 on the year, he showed up what he can do by knocking off Regional 2 champ Sean Malenfant 7-6. 

#14
Zak McPhee
UW-Eau Claire

The sophomore ended out his '25-'26 with a 20-8 record which included a WIAC title & a 4th place showing at the Pete Willson Invitational.   Among his wins he stuck Regional 7 champion Easton Hull on two occasions! 6:37 & 6:19.  Also defeated Robert Flege! McPhee was 5th at regional 7. 

#15
Austin Brass
Messiah
184

An NCAA D3 R12'er in 2025, Austin Brass ends his collegiate career just a hair shy of earning a second NCAA D3 qualification & just a hair shy of 100 career wins. 

#16
Vitali Daniels
Washington & Jefferson
184

The Edinboro transfer had a great first year of NCAA D3 wrestling, technically still only a freshman.  5th at Regional 4, he was 25-4 on the year with 8-5 victories over qualifiers Eli Crum & Jack Ryan. 

#18
Noah McIlroy
Stevens Tech
184

I know for a fact that Coach Bonaventura is excited for what his freshman has in store as a sophomore, junior & senior.  5th at Regional 2 this season, he came up a bit short of being an NCAA D3 qualifier, but in three years from today, I wouldn't be at all surprised if JT1wrestle wasn't writing about a three-time qualifier. 22-6 on the year, we're talking nearly majoring Regional 5 champ Jackson Davis 12-5.  Then another decisive victory, 9-3 over Regional 7 champ Easton Hull! 

U.R.
Austin Wilkins
Cornell (IA)
184

Austin Wilkins is testimony to just how talented & good you have to be to even make a lineup in NCAA Division III wrestling.  A backup for the majority of his career, Wilkins made the most of his final season of collegiate wrestling.  20 wins on the season, this included a 4-3 win over Regional 7 champ Easton Hull.  6th at Pete Willson, he was 4th at Regional 6. 

U.R.
Xavier Pommells
Ithaca
184

2nd at Regional 2 & 8th in the D3 nation a year ago, Xavier Pommells came up short of another Q this season finishing 4th at Regional 2. 20 wins on the season, he has one more year left to go. 

U.R.
Blaine Chrisman
Mount Union
184

22-7 on the year, freshman Blaine Chrisman gave up plenty of reason to be excited about his future in NCAA Division III wrestling.  4th at Regional 4, the Raider showed us he's a pinner.  4:23 & 2:15 falls over D3 qualifier Khalil Mitchell.  A 6:48 fall over qualifier Matt Gummere. Not to mention a 6-1 decision over Regional 4 runner-up Remmington Bauer. 

U.R.
Ajay Lock
Ohio Northern
184

Ajay Locke, another example of how in one's career there is so much more to it than whether you ever made the national tournament or not.  5th at Pete Willson, Locke had a 4-2 decision over Regional 4 champ Hunter Moore & a 4-2 win over Matt Gummere who was 3rd at Regional 5. 

U.R.
Zach Huckaby
Wabash
184

33 wins on the season for the sophomore who finished one match shy of NCAA D3 qualification at Regional 5.  had a 4-2 win over Regional 4 runner-up Remmington Bauer & a 4-2 win over Matt Gummere. 

I know I said I wouldn't speak much to this, but I gotta put in a word for Mike Teheny here too.   He wrestled at 184 all season long & then moved up to 197 for the Regionals.  With Teheny a freshman this year & Huckaby a sophomore, I don't know what Wabash will do next season.  Here's some of what Teheny looked like at 184 this year...

19-13 over Regional 1 runner-up Desi McLaughlin
3:52 fall over Matt Gummere 3rd at Regional 5
1:22 fall over Regional 4 runner-up Remmington Bauer

U.R.
Zach Miller
Johnson & Wales
184

25 wins on the season, Zach Miller is another super tough sophomore who came up a bit short of NCAA D3 qualification this year. 5th at Regional 1, he dismantled Regional 1 runner-up Desi McLaughlin earlier this season 22-4 technical fall. 

U.R.
R.J. Samuels
Cornell (IA)
184

R.J. Samuels was all over the place this season. Ups and down. If you don't like roller coasters, he may not be the wrestler for you to follow.  Nevertheless, when he was on, he was on.  Defeated Regional 7 champ Easton Hull 5-4 & had a win over Matt Gummere 8-2. 

U.R.
Wills Bronson
John Carroll
184

Wills Bronson... I debated whether to add him or leave him off this list for a long time. To be fair and objective, I do not think he had as good of a junior season as he had a sophomore season.  And that's not just because he ended last year with a 2nd place finish at Regional 5 & this year he was 5th.  There are other factors as well. Nonetheless, potentially speaking, he's capable of doing many great things in his final season next year. I do believe he'll make it back to the D3 championships in 2027.