JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Iowa Central 2026-2027

 

Year after year, season after season, the Tritons of Iowa Central prove to be one of the best teams in NJCAA wrestling. 2026 was one of those years, as will be 2027.  All 10 varsity starters made it to the NJCAA championships & all but three return for action this winter. 

125
Muhammed Bilal

Pakistan has had a series of international stars since the 1950's. Names such as Faziz Muhammed, a three time Commonwealth Games Gold medalist comes to mind, as do other who have succeeded on the World level.  However, we haven't seen an Olympic medalist from Pakistan since 1960, when Muhammed Bashir won bronze.  Perhaps Muhammed Bilal, who won gold at both the North Central District & the NJCAA championships will be their next. 

141
Che Jenkins

The Arizona native made the finals of the North Central District, earning 4th place NJCAA honors. 

157
Chancery Deane

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Chancery Dean was a North Central District silver medalist & 8th in the NJCAA nation. 

174
Damarcus Powe

A member of the famous Powe family out of Alabama, Damarcus Powe was a North Central District champ & bronze in the NJCAA nation. 

184
Jarrell Miller

An Ohio native, Jarrell Miller won gold at both the North Central District & the NJCAA. 

197
Umair Ahmad

As Indian Hills has created a connection with Egyptian wrestlers, Iowa Central has developed a pipeline with Pakistani wrestlers. Umair Ahmad was 3rd in the North Central District. 

HWT
Zaman Anwar

Another wrestler out of Pakistan, Zaman Anwar was the North Central District runner-up & 4th in the NJCAA nation. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Iowa Lakes 2026-2027

 

Great season of Laker wrestling last year, as well saw all 10 varsity starters punch through to the NJCAA championships! Half return this year for '26-'27 action. 

No word yet as to where anyone is heading, but it'd make my day if William Penn ended up at William Penn. 


No photos of anyone unfortunately, but of the returners, here is some information. 


141 Logan McDonald -  A native of Grinnell, Iowa, Logan McDonald was 5th at the North Central District, earning runner-up honors at the Auggie Open. 

157 Vinny Costabillo - a native of River Falls, Wisconsin, Vinny Costabillo was also 5th at the North Central District, 4th at the Auggie Open. 

165 Larry Norrington - Larry was 5th at the North Central District, a native of Milwaukee

174 Ben Hammes - A Don Bosco kid, Ben Hammes was behind Etheend Deyampert last season, & I believe he'll be the starter this year & an NJCAA qualifier. 

184  Jacob Range - another native of River Falls, Wisconsin, Jacob Range was 5th at the North Central District. 

197 Damion Spears - coming all the way from Washington State, Damion Spears was 4th at the North Central District & 5th at the Auggie Open. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Hawkeye 2026-2027

 

Qualified four wrestlers to the NJCAA championships last year, putting them all on the award stand at what I argue is the toughest qualifier in the NJCAA, the North Central District.  Three of those four wrestlers are now out of eligibility.

I hope to soon see MaCael Bear competing somewhere. I've enjoyed watching him compete these past two seasons & hope to see him continue wrestling for two more years.  No word on Dominik Ridout or Austin Pfantz as of when this was written either. 

I tell you the guy I really hope to see pop-up on a four-year lineup soon is Josh Vis. I think injuries kept him from having the NJCAA career he otherwise would have.  If things would've gone better for him, I really thought he could have been the Red Tails first All-American. A fun, quick, not afraid to go for it HWT, Vis was a guy I enjoyed watching. I hope soon I discover I get to watch him for another two years, wherever he ends up. 

Gianni Sutherland
184

Gianni Sutherland returns to action in 2026-2027, having posted a 6th place finish at the North Central District last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Iowa Western 2026-2027

 

The state of Iowa produces great wrestling at every level.  We may only have one DII program, but it's always competitive.  Iowa, Iowa State & Northern Iowa are always producing great talent & great results in NCAA DI.  We have a phenomenal presence at the NCAA DIII level & a very respectable spot at the table in the NAIA. Yet you know where the Finch is truly Golden? NJCAA.  It's technically called the "North Central District" or to confuse the Hell out of everyone some also refer to it as Region XI. Many though affectionally vaunt, "The Iowa Jucos."  And argue with me all you want, I say it is the toughest of all the qualifiers in NJCAA wrestling. 

One of the teams in the North Central District is Iowa Western. A dominant program right on the very western edge of Iowa, bordering Nebraska. The Reivers sent 9 of their 10 starters to the NJCAA championships, putting five of them on the award stand.  Three of those All-Americans return, including a national champion. All in all, 5 returning qualifiers. 

No word on 8th in the NJCAA nation Noah Jones yet. Nothing on Braxton Preacher.  Matteo Nikolov, a two-time NJCAA All-American with 8th & 6th place finishes is a native of Katy, Texas. A 3 1/2 hour drive from Kerrville, Texas.  Not sure if their would be any interest either way, but on a personal note would love to see him continuing his success at Schreiner.  No word on Kolby Scott either. 

133
Isaac Eckdahl

When you're that close to Omaha, you might as well take advantage right? The Reivers picked up a good one in Isaac Eckdahl, who finished 3rd at last year's North Central District. 

141
Hudson Palmer

A talent out of Utah, Hudson Palmer was bronze at the North Central District, capturing 7th at the NJCAA championships. 

149
Logan Crowther

Another Utah talent, Logan Crowther was silver at the North Central District, as he also captured 7th place NJCAA All-American honors. 

184
Cal Wells

Another Nebraska native, Cal Wells was 4th at the North Central District. 

197
Tony Palmer

Continuing to dip into the pool of talent West of the border, Tony Palmer was the star of the Reiver wrestling program last season, winning gold at both the North Central District & the NJCAA championships. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Jamestown (New York) 2026-2027

The Jayhawks return two experienced wrestlers to their line up in 2026-2027. 

149
Wyatt Bryman

Wyatt Bryman took a 4th place finish at the North East District last season.  No photo available but Jamison Caldwell also finished 4th. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Joliet 2026-2027

 

I'm a big fan and a big believer in what head coach Josh McCarty is capable of doing at Joliet. I think within due time the Wolves will be competing for Great Lakes District titles & sending multiple wrestlers to the NJCAA championships.  Last season we saw two break through  & one of those two returns for competition in '26-'27. 

141
Adrian Hernandez

From right there in Joliet, Adrian Hernandez took an impressive 3rd place finish at the Great Lakes District championship. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Labette 2026-2027

 

An exciting year lies ahead for Cardinal wrestling as Labette returns 5 of their 7 NJCAA qualifiers from last season.  Anxious to see where NJCAA runner-up Kalvin LaPlant ends up, as he'll be an excellent addition to whatever four year school he is headed. 

125
Jackson Martin

The Oklahoma native saw his first NJCAA championships with a 4th place finish at the South Central District. 

141
Tucker Collinsworth

Tucker Collinsworth had an impressive 3rd place finish at the South Central District. 

149
Kyler Tabor

Kyler Tabor ruled the South Central District last season, winning a championship at 149 lbs. 

Jaise Rose
165

A native of Wyoming, Jaise Rose was a wildcard entry into the NJCAA championships last season. 

184
Aiden Cisterna

The Phoenix, Arizona native was 5th at the South Central District last season.