2026 WHAC Preview (2-14-2026)

 

Hard to believe it, but by the end of Valentine's day 2026, we will know the NAIA national qualifiers from the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.  Looks to be a great tournament this year, with ranked wrestlers at every weight class. 

125

Fun, interesting & exciting, 125 lbs in the WHAC checks all of the boxes.  Marian's Anthony Hughes has been having an outstanding season thus far.  3rd in the WHAC last year, he won the Battle in the Bluegrass, picking up bronze medals at both the Pepsi Patriot Open & the Missouri Valley Invitational.  Interesting enough, in a very rare case, he'll have to deal with BOTH of the Hisey brothers of Indiana Tech.  Thus far Tyler has picked up runner-up finishes at both the Spartan Mat Classic & the Little State Invitational.  Weight class will also feature Jordan Rodriguez, 3rd at the Battle in the Bluegrass in his own right.  Also, don't let the U.R. next to his name fool you.  Jeff Bailey has had a good season, with notable wins, plus he's had back-to-back 4th place WHAC finishes the past two years. 

133

Last year's champ Luke Rioux looks to add another WHAC gold medal to his collection this weekend.  Thus far this season, the Warrior has picked up titles at both the Spartan Mat Classic & the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational.  Duking it out for an opportunity to upset him will be Nick Alayan, a former Davenport wrestler, who took runner-up honors at the Pepsi Patriot Open earlier this season & Landon Bertsch, who placed 6th at the Missouri Valley Invitational, as well as 2nd at the Little State Invitational. 

The guy with the story here though is Randy Frailey.  It was announced earlier this season that Siena Heights would be closing their doors for good after this school year.  Thus meaning we as a wrestling community would lose another program.  In the short amount of time the Saints have had wrestling, Frailey has been a staple for the program.  Thus far WHAC finishes of 1st & 4th, Frailey has the chance this weekend to give Siena Heights a final NAIA qualifier before they are said & done. 

141

A two-time NAIA R12'er & a two-time WHAC champion, I believe that Logan Wagner has the tools & the skills to end his collegiate career an NAIA national champion. A Battle in the Bluegrass champion, he was 3rd at the Missouri Valley Invitational, losing to the champion by a single point.   To challenge him this weekend will be Conner Kimbrough, a WHAC champion in his own right, 7th at the Missouri Valley Invite. 

149 

149 will be interesting as per likely seeds, we could see an Indiana Tech Vs Cornerstone final, as well as an Indiana Tech Vs Cornerstone consolation final.  The Warriors have Mike Loney, runner-up at the Little State Invitational, as well as Marlone Kirksy who was 3rd at the Little State Invitational.  Kirksy was also 6th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. The Golden Eagles have two tough upperclassmen in Cole Karasinski & Ian Boden. Karasinski a transfer of Davenport. 

157

The WHAC full of a lot of upperclassmen talent, here at 157 lbs we get to see some of the younger stars.  Sophomore Vinnie abbey is having a great season thus far.  Only 5th in the WHAC last season, he has quickly climbed the rankings ladder, winning the Little States Invitational. Christian Arberry, a tough freshman for the Knights out of Indianapolis, then of course Louden Stradling.  Last year's WHAC champion, who finished one match shy of being an NAIA All-American. 

165

An NAIA national champion in 2024 & an NAIA national runner-up in 2025, Jonathan Kervin is hands down, the obvious pick for a WHAC title this weekend at 165 lbs.  I believe Jeff Dunasky, 4th at last year's WHAC is a strong candidate for our runner-up.  He was 6th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.  Not sure if Marian will wrestle two here at 165 lbs or not, but if they do, Braden Getz is a tough wrestler.  I think he proves that solidly by taking 3rd. 

174

Another tough bracket here at 174 lbs.  Anthony Rinehart 3rd at the Battle in the Bluegrass, really made a name for himself making the finals of the Missouri Valley Invitational earlier this year.  We should see a really fun semi-final between Indiana Tech teammates Landon Buchanan & Mike Durham.  Buchanan was 3rd at the Little States & 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.  Durham won the Pepsi Patriot Open. 

#24
Noah Hollendonner
Marian
184

I believe the WHAC will take the champion at 184 lbs & if I be a betting man, I'd say our champion is Noah Hollendonner, 3rd at the Battle in the Bluegrass earlier this season. 

197

Nathan Critchfield, a WHAC champion last season returns the strong favorite to win another WHAC title this weekend.  Look for Ty Cobb to be his opponent in the finals. 

HWT

Looks to be another good one between Indiana Tech & Lourdes at HWT.  Ian Clifford, been having a great season, making the Missouri Valley Invitational finals.  Collin Sullivan, a super tough freshman for the Gray Wolves. 

2026 Mid-South Conference Preview (Fri Feb 13th)

 

Featuring The #7 Cumberlands Patriots, the #8 Campbellsville Tigers, the #11 Cumberland Phoenix, the #23 Georgetown Tigers & the #24 Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders, the Mid-South Conference is going to be exceptionally tough this year! JT1Wrestle has broken down each weight class & will take a stab at who he thinks will be NAIA qualifiers! 

125

Last year's Mid-South Champion, Matteo Vargo is looking like he's going to take another gold medal this Friday.  Thus far in '25-'26, the Patriot has placed 5th at the Grand View Open, 4th at the Pepsi Patriot Open & he took runner-up honors at the Battle in the Bluegrass.  His likely finals opponent will be determined in what should prove to be a good semi-final between Chase Walker & Elijah Valencia  Walker a tough freshman out of Cleveland, Tennessee & Valencia, a teammate of Vargo's, a transfer out of Menlo. 

133

Got a good one here at 133 lbs.  Former Indian Hills standout Riley Bettich, who was 4th in the NJCAA a year ago, has proven himself to be a great addition to the Patriot's roster.  Thus far this season, the former Warrior now Patriot has won the Battle in the Bluegrass, while taking runner-up honors at the Lucha Open.  Izaeah Beavers could end up being his finals opponent, although the competition to the finals is quite stacked.  Beavers a two-time NAIA All-American (back-to-back 8th place finishes) was a Mid-South Conference champ two seasons ago, although he was 4th last year.  Seems to me that the rankings have been rather unforgiving of a few early season headscratchers.  Now would be a time to silence his naysayers.   Bracket will also feature Leland Reeves, a former DI wrestler of Bellarmine, who finished one match shy of placing at the Missouri Valley Invitational.  Look for Alex Tabor to wrestle well & earn NAIA qualification as well. 

141

You want a freakin' tough weight class, you got one.  5th in the NAIA nation a year ago, Jared Dinh has the rare opportunity to become a four-time Mid-South Conference place-winner with finishes of 5th-3rd-1st thus far.  He recently won the Cumberland Open.  Not far behind him will be teammate Sammy Shires, 2nd at the Lucha Open earlier this season.  Looking to challenge them both & pull off two huge upsets in route to a title of his own will be Adrian Ayala, who has finished 2nd-2nd-2nd at the last three Mid-South Conference championships.  An NAIA R12 finisher, he won the Pepsi Patriot Open earlier this season.   This weight class also features Nick Moore, 4th at last year's Mid-South Conference & 3rd at this year's Lucha Open.  Eli Peyton, was 3rd at Oppenheim. 

149

3rd in the NAIA last season & thus far 3rd & 2nd in the Mid-South Conference, Victor Guzman is on a mission to earn gold at both the qualifier & the national tournament.  Here to challenge him will be two-time Mid-South Conference champion as well as two-time NAIA All American (3rd & 7th) Nick Yancey.  Look for Ty Lehman, a Battle in the Blue Grass champion to have a strong showing this tournament as well. 

157

An interesting weight class that will feature two former NJCAA standouts, who are now competing well in the NAIA.  Brice Coleman, 3rd in the NJCAA last season for Indian Hills, should take the *1 seed this Friday.  Antwuan Burns returns to defend the Mid South Conference title he won in 2024.  Emmanuel Celestin, an NJCAA qualifier for NIACC, who this far this year placed 5th at the Grand View Open & 3rd at the Pepsi Patriot Open.  The bracket will also feature Elijah Griffin, who was 5th at last year's Mid South Conference. 

165

4th at last year's Mid-South Conference tournament, Jastin Kubwimana looks to try and win the title this weekend.  He'll have competition from two Patriots, Malachi Harris & Rider Trumble.  Harris himself a Mid-South Conference runner-up last season, who this year has won the Battle in the Bluegrass & taken 2nd at the Lucha Open. 

174

2nd & 1st in the past two Mid-South Conference tournaments, Shad Slone is a three-time NAIA All-American (7th-6th-3rd) looking to end his collegiate career with another conference title & as a four-time All-American.   Here to challenge him will be Weston Melvin, 2nd & 3rd the past two Mid-South Conference tournaments.  Thus far this season, he has won both Oppenheim & the Battle in the Bluegrass.  Anthony Pyron, another tough wrestler, who should easily take 3rd. 

184

We're looking at the deepest & most competitive weight class of the Mid-South Conference.  Pay close attention because the semis, the finals, & the consolation finals will all be exciting.  Cory Cannan 2nd at the Pepsi Patriot Open & a champion at the Millikin Open gives the Blue Raiders a shot at an individual title.  Navarro Nanpuya made history earlier this season by becoming Georgetown's first ever Missouri Valley Invitational champion. Can he make history again by being the first to win the Mid-South Conference? Add in Brice Parks, who was 3rd at last year's Mid-South Conference Championships & to really give this weight class some scale, Rocco Horvath, a two-time Mid-South Conference champion.  I'd stop there, but also competing here will be Campbell transfer Lane Kiser & Doug Dittmer, 3rd at the Lucha Open & 7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

197

2025 NAIA R12'er Tyler Rowland returns to defend the Mid-South Conference title he won last season, with some pretty stiff competition looking to try and knock him off.  Ashton Boswell is a super tough freshman for Campbellsville & Marcus James of Georgetown has looked outstanding thus far this season.  A Pepsi Patriot Open champion, he made the finals of the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

HWT

Another champion returns in Austin Silva who looks to defend his 2025 Mid-South Conference title.  Thus far this season the Patriot has finished runner-up at both the Lucha Open & Oppenheim.  Looking to meet him in the finals will be Bruce Wagers, a runner-up at both the Pepsi Patriot Open & the Cumberland Open, winning titles at both the Battle in the Bluegrass & the Fairmont State Open.  Luke Cox, another tough member of the first year Georgetown Tigers, looking to give them yet another qualifier.  

2026 NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT preview (Sun Feb 15th)

 

The North Central District, also known as "The Iowa Jucos" where I come from.   We are going to see some great wrestling, with highly ranked wrestlers in each weight class.  Going to be a phenomenal tournament. 

125

The final here at 125 looks to be between two highly ranked talents.  Central Missouri transfer Charlie Dykes is having an outstanding season for the Warriors, winning the Millikin Open & placing second at the Art Kraft Memorial.  Noah Jones, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico is also having a standout season. 

133

 We have a probable final here at 133 lbs that could very well end up an NJCAA national tournament semi-final or even a final, depending on seeding.  Ridgewater transfer Tegan Sherk has worked hard this season to cement himself as the #1 wrestler in the NJCAA at 133 lbs.  With that said, at #3, Olli Webb has positioned himself as an NJCAA title contender as well.  Already having broke the IHCC record for technical falls in one season, Webb owns titles at both Luther Hill & Art Kraft.  While it's pretty much a given that the battle for gold will be between Sherk & Webb, look for Alejandro Rodriguez of host NIACC to battle hard for bronze. 

141

A North Central District champion last year & an NJCAA champion last year, Gavyn Whitehead is planning on earning another two gold medals as the end of his community college wrestling career nears.  Standing in his way, in both quests will be Iowa Central's Che Jenkins.  These two have already met once this season, with Whitehead winning a hard fought 9-7 decision.  Can the Warrior beat the Triton again?  We'll find out this Sunday! 

149

Have a very tough bracket here at 149 lbs.  We have Jahkari Clark, an Iowa High School standout that placed 3rd & 2nd at the state championships, looking to become an NJCAA champion who never won a state title.  Thus far this season, he has won the Millikin Open & placed 2nd at Art Kraft.   This bracket will also feature Matt Roche & William Penn, both 2025 All-Americans who placed 2nd & 3rd at last year's North Central District respectively.  I also wouldn't overlook MaCael Bear if I were any of these guys.  An NJCAA qualifier last year, he has the tools to be an All-American this year. 

157

2nd at the North Central District & 7th in the NJCAA back in 2024, 2026 might as well be labeled HALLOWEEN 5: The Return of Michael Myers because the Triton is back & he's looking to earn a North District title this Sunday.  Here to challenge him will be Shehab Mohamed, a North Central District champion last season, who finished 5th in the NJCAA nation.  Thus far this year, Mohamed has won Luther Hill & taken runner-up honors at Art Kraft.  Look for Nick Fischer, who was 3rd at Art Kraft to finish a strong 3rd. 

165

I'm not sure if I'd take the Bangel's advice & walk like one, but if Coach Spree told me to wrestle like an Egyptian, I'd listen.  Mohamed Abdelhady, 3rd at last year's North Central District & 2nd in the NJCAA nation has been wrestling exceptionally well this season.  He won Art Kraft & more importantly in reference to this weekend, he defeated Kaden King 9-3 in dual action.  I expect King, a North Central District champion last season & 3rd in the NJCAA himself, to give Abdelhady a much better match this time out.  Very excited for this likely final.   I look for Josh Berlin, to be another Panther taking 3rd in a tough bracket. 

174

Another deep, fun weight class here at 174 lbs.  Cinsere Clark is a guy that is on the mat as much as he's allowed to be & he's a guy who likes to score points.  3rd at last year's North Central District, he was 4th in the NJCAA nation. Thus far this year, he has won Art Kraft.  At the beginning of the year, everyone was hyped about brother Isaiah, but Demarcus has done a tremendous job making a name for himself in the NJCAA.  Bracket will also feature Matteo Nikolov, a North Central District runner-up last year, 7th in the NJCAA.  I also wouldn't dare overlook Austin Pfantz.  Health has not been a friend to this Redtail, thus keeping him out of the top 10 in my opinion.  Nonetheless, he's a dangerous & talented wrestler, who should not be underestimated or overlooked. 

184

 The thing I love most about the North Central District is the intense rivalry between Indian Hills & Iowa Central.  For years & years, Iowa Central dominated the Iowa junior college wrestling scene.  Then in recent times, Indian Hills after decades & decades of locals trying to get wrestling back at their community college, finally got it back.  Then they hired Cole Spree, and we have a new king in town.  Iowa Central isn't happy about it.  They don't like having that #2 next to their name in the North Central District & they don't like having that #2 next to their name in the NJCAA.   When we watch these matches between the Warriors & the Tritons this Sunday, the sentiment will be revealed. 

Here at 184, look for the rivalry to be quite heated.  We have Jarrell Miller, originally a University of Iowa commit, who has dominated the NJCAA this year.  We also have Jonathan Clohency, a Luther Hill champ & Art Kraft runner-up. 

197

This one will be really interesting.   Likely to meet in the North Central District finals, we have Andrew Marquez, a North Central District runner-up last season & NJCAA champion.  We also have Umair Amad, who himself was a North Central District runner-up.  While Marquez has the higher ranking, it was Amad who upset Marquez earlier this season 4-2.   I also would keep a strong eye on Jean Ngoma of Ellsworth. The Panther may not be ranked at the moment, but he did win the Art Kraft memorial. 

HWT

Wouldn't that be awesome if the team title between Iowa Central & Indian Hills came down to the final match of the night? As tough as both teams are & as bad as both teams want to be crowned North Central District team champs, this is not that farfetched of a prediction.  I can see HWT being the deciding factor of who takes home the gold.  Despite what rankings say on paper, trust me, on the mat tells a different story. 

The last Zaman Anwar & Naasir Edmonds met on the mat, it was a closely contested 4-2 decision for the Triton.  Anwar, to give him some background, is already a Commonwealth Games silver medalist.  So along with collegiate credentials, this guy is gonna rack up some international accomplishments too.  Edmonds was a North Central District champion last year, 6th in the NJCAA nation.  Thus far this year he has won the Millikin Open & taken 2nd at Art Kraft. 

Now to speak of Josh Vis of Hawkeye CC.  I'm a little surprised that Vis isn't within the NJCAA's official top 10. No bother, # next to his name or U.R. next to his name, the guy IS All American potential & I say he proves that this weekend.  He may not overcome Edmonds or Anwar, but I do expect the Red Tail to take a bronze medal with authority.  

2026 South Central District Preview (Sat Nov 14th)

 

The #8 Pratt Beavers host one of the toughest qualifiers in all of the NJCAA this weekend, as they host #9 Northeast Oklahoma (NEO), #11 Cowley, #18 Carl Albert State & #19 Fort Hays Tech Northwest (FHTN), among other tough teams.  Looks to be good wrestling at many weight classes, with well contested matches to determine our champions. 

125

Rankings be what they are, it was Zane Donley who nearly tech'd Ernest Grant in a 14-3 major decision when they met in the dual.  Grant, a transfer of York (NEB) was one match shy of being an NAIA All-American last season.  Donley himself one match shy of being an NJCAA All-American last season, as well as a South Central District runner-up.  This bracket will also feature Keegan Sullivan, who was 3rd at last year's South Central District. 

133

Very tough weight class.  5th in the NJCAA & a South Central District champion last season, Logan Crawford will have his hands full this tournament.  Why? Well for one, S.M. Gonzalez was also 5th in the NJCAA & a South Central District champion last season! On top of it, add in Matt Long, who defeated Gonzalez in the finals of the Bob Smith Open 2-1.  If rankings reflect seeding, we're going to see one Hell of a semi-final, to be followed by one hell of a final.  Cam Kiser upsetting any of the three ranked wrestlers might be a tall order, but I do think he'll prove himself to be the fourth best wrestler in this bracket. 

141

Another tough weight class.  Evan Rodriguez, who was also 5th in the NJCAA last season, returns to defend the South Central District title he won a year ago. Here to challenge him will be Tyler Misenheimer, who among his credentials this season was runner-up at the Viking Open & 3rd at the Millikin Invitational.  Although not currently ranked, Jordan Cullors was 3rd at the South Central District last year, as well as 7th in the NJCAA nation.  We also have Jameal Agnew, an NJCAA qualifier from last year, champion at the Cougar Open. 

149

Zach Dawson, 3rd at last year's South Central District & a match shy of NJCAA All-American honors leads the way in another loaded bracket.  He'll contend with Topher Garrett & Kyler Tabor in an effort to be crowned champion this Saturday. 

#2
Jake Goodwin
Pratt
157

The three-time state champ has been proving all season long that he was an outstanding pickup for the Beavers.  A Cougar Open champion earlier this season, I say he picks up some South Central District Gold this weekend. 

165

No ranked wrestlers here at 165, but if I be a guessing man, this is the final I think we will see.  Dylan Reed was an NJCAA qualifier last season & Blake Winsor won the Cougar Open earlier this season. 

174

Scout Trotter is the obvious favorite here at 174 lbs, but seeing that the South Central District is being hosted by Pratt, I can see Trystian Juarez giving him a respectable match.  Juarez was the runner-up at the Cougar Open earlier this season. 

184

Another weight class that doesn't feature any ranked wrestlers, but should still have a good final.  I'm predicting that the Beavers have another finalist in Drew Withington, Cougar Open champion earlier this season.  I believe his finals opponent will be Maleek Ayonrinde, an NJCAA qualifier last year, who placed 3rd at Dan Harris earlier this season. 

197

Beavers look to crown yet another champion in front of their home crowd. Preston Hagel, who won the Cougar Open earlier this year.   Look for Draven Pipkin, an NJCAA qualifier from last season, to be his opponent in the finals. 

HWT

3rd in the South Central District last year & a match shy of being an NJCAA All-American, Jude Beers is having a great season thus far.  Titles won at the Falcon Open, Viking Open & the Millikin Invitational, he was 3rd at the Drury Open.  Look for Brayden Hill to be his finals opponent & we could see a darkhorse finalist in Sebastian Lopez, another home crowd favorite, winner of the Cougar Open earlier this year. 

2026 WEST DISTRICT Preview (Sat Feb 14th)

 

Hard to believe but the 2025-2026 NJCAA wrestling season is coming to an end.  We're in qualifier time & we start things off here in the West District.  Hosted by Southwestern Oregon, tournament looks to be heavily dominated by Clackamas & North Idaho.  Although Snow has some tough wrestlers & surprisingly enough, so does Big Bend. 


Clackamas looks to show their stronghold at both 125 lbs & 149 lbs.  Allen, Texas native Kelby Bernard is having himself a great rookie season, as is returning Reggie Raiz who sat '24-'25 out.  Upsets of course can always happen, but I would look for those two weights to be easily won by the Cougars. 

As to the other weights? 

Well, if seeds hold up, we could see many exciting finals throughout the tournament.   In some weights, even some good semis, as well as consolation finals.  

Let's take a look....

133

A Cougar Vs a Cardinal, which will be the majority of the finals matches we see this Saturday at the West District.  Paris Ruiz, a freshman out of Buchanan High School in Clovis, California, an area that has been producing great talent a very long time.  His opponent is likely to be Hoyt Vass, an NJCAA qualifier from last season, who placed 3rd at the West District. 

141

Here's another battle between the two tough western United States NJCAA teams.   We have Cade McCallister, a native of Oregon & Parker Ballantyne a native of Utah.  Anxious to see if they're as close on the mat, as they are in the rankings. 

157

And yet another likely final featuring Clackamas & North Idaho as we take a look at 157 lbs.  Aaron Concepcion who started off his collegiate career at NCAA DII, has since been having a phenomenal time in the NJCAA, looking to be a title contender this year.  The two-time Alaskan High School State champion defeated Colton Tucker, an All-American candidate in his own right, 18-8 earlier this season. 

165 lbs 

Again, a likely final between Clackamas & North Idaho, & as did 125, 133, 141, 149, & 157, 165 will too favor a Cougar to win the West District title.  A West District champion a year ago, as well as an NJCAA runner-up, Henry Dillingham defeated Colton Theobold 18-11 earlier this season. 

174

Compare and contrast.  We once again look to feature North Idaho Vs Clackamas in a final, but here at 174 lbs, this time we favor the Cardinal over the Cougar.  Dylan Block, a native of Great Falls, Montana scored big points in a dual earlier this season, sticking Pablo Hernandez at the 3:49 mark.  

184

No question about it, the best weight class in the West District.  Another likely final between North Idaho & Clackamas, but both semi-finals & consolation finals well worth the watch.  Seth Martin looks to dominate the weight class, majoring Lusiano earlier this season 9-0.  Looking forward to a battle for bronze between Ken Phillips & Drake Wood, unless Phillips is able to pull off the upset against Lusiano in the semis. 

197

Through our first eight weight classes, and 197 marks the first of which that does not favor either a Cougar or a Cardinal to win the tournament.  Aiden Ford of Big Bend, comes in the favorite as we our bound to see one of our best semi-finals of the tournament between Elijah Josey & Jackson Lougen.  The last these two talents met, it was a 7-4 decision for Josey. 

HWT

The Vikings continue to show their prominence in the upper weights with West District favorite Hunter Tibodeau.  He defeated Ray Griffin, last year's West District champion & 4th place NJCAA All-American by a 4-1 score the last the two met.  Likely to be the final match of the evening, it should prove to be an epic main event.