JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Thomas More 2026-2027

 

2025-2026 was the first full season in NCAA D2 wrestling for the Saints of Thomas More.  Three wrestlers finished off the year, one match shy of being NCAA D2 qualifiers.  I know that probably isn't the ending of the first "official" year for Thomas More in NCAA Division II, that Jason Russell wanted, but it is an indicator of positive things to come.  

Thomas More does lose one of those Super Region IV 4th place finishers, Kailen Keith.  The other two are back, as is another place-winner. 

125
Trevor Wilcox

An NWCA academic All-American last year, Trevor Wilcox won 19 matches & placed 6th at Super Region IV. 

141
Cole Thomas

By the end of 2027, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we're looking at the Saints first NCAA Division II qualifier.  A match shy of that honor last season, Cole Thomas went 17-5 on the year.  A Great-Midwest Athletic Conference runner-up. 

149
Matt  Ellis

Despite having a losing season last year, Matt Ellis still nearly made the NCAA D2 championships, finishing one match shy. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Tiffin 2026-2027

 

The Dragons are going to breathe FIRE in 2026-2027. Eight Super Region III place-winners last season, and ALL eight return!! Going to be a good year for Tiffin wrestling. 

125
Anthony Aniciete

69 career wins thus far, it's a strong possibility that the Las Vegas, Nevada native could reach that 100 win mark by season's end.  Thus far he's been 2nd-1st-1st at Super Region III & 6th-2nd in the D2 nation.  Let's add in back-to-back 4th place finishes at the Midwest Classic.  A title contender for all three in '27? You betcha.  He also won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) last year as well. 

125
Zavian LaFountain

A great back-up to Aniciete, Zavian LaFountain won some big matches last year, including a 4:17 fall over two-time NCAA D2 qualifier Luke Acuna. 

133
Cael Woods

Super Region III didn't go the way that Cael Woods wanted it to last season, but there's plenty of reason to think that it will in '26-'27.  He stuck D2 R12'er Anthony Sagaris in 1:08 & he had a very nice 8-3 win over Nate Knolwton. 

141
Brett Minnick

Brett Minnick placed 5th at last year's Super Region III

157
Casey Barnett

A Super Region III champion in 2025, Casey Barnett was 5th at last year's tournament. 19 wins on the year he won G-MAC & he finished 3rd at the Midwest Classic. 

165
Nolan Gessler

5th-2nd-1st at Super Region III and 7th & 6th in the D2 nation, Nolan Gessler is looking to become a four-time Super Region Place-winner & a three-time All-American this season. He won both G-MAC & the Midwest Classic last season.  May I add, his Midwest Classic title came with a win over three-time D2 champ David Hunsberger. 

174
Emilio Arellano

A Super Region I champion last year, Emilio Arellano was one match shy of being an NCAA D2 All-American.  29 wins on the season, he won a G-MAC title & finished 8th at the Midwest Classic. 

184
David Davis

5th & 4th thus far in Super Region III, David Davis is looking for NCAA D2 qualification in 2027.  A G-MAC champ, he was 7th at the Midwest Classic. 

197
Max Millin

One match shy of NCAA D2 qualification last year, Max Millin was a G-MAC runner-up. 

HWT
Jake Powell

An NCAA D2 qualifier last year with a Super Region III finish of 3rd.  23 wins on the year, he was a G-MAC runner-up & 5th at the Midwest Classic. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At UNC-Pembroke 2026-2027

 

Returning 6 Super Region II place-winners & two NCAA D2 qualifiers from last season, 2026-2027 looks to be another successful year for the Braves of UNC-Pembroke. 

Logan Robinson, a three-time NCAA D2 qualifier for the black and gold, ended his career one match shy of being an All-American. 

Caleb Grau, a D2 qualifier in 2024 finished one match shy of earning a second qualification last year. 

125
Cooper Davis

The Brave won 25 matches last season in route to a 3rd place showing at Super Region II & one match shy of D2 All-American honors.  A Pembroke Classic champion. 

149
Avery Buonocore

Another Pembroke Classic Champion, Avery Buonocore won 20 matches last season finishing 5th at Super Region II. 

157
Keegan Roberson

An NCAA D2 All-American (6th) in 2024, Keegan Roberson has thus far been 3rd-6th-4th at Super Region II.  He will look to become a two-time D2 qualifier/All-American & four-time Super Region place-winner this season. He won 21 matches in '25-'26 & he finished 7th at the Midwest Classic. 

174
Nick Williams

Nick Williams finished one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier last season & he won the Pembroke Classic. 

197
Jackson Buck

18 wins on the year, Jackson Buck was 5th at Super Region II. 

HWT
James Bankston

A transfer of Appalachian State, James Bankston was 3rd at Super Region II & 6th in the D2 Nation. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Upper Iowa 2026-2027

 

The Peacocks return four Super Region V place-winners for the 2026-2027 season.  They lose a very good wrestler from the past few seasons, but bring back a lot of good talent. 

Ethan Doty had a great career for the Peacocks.  123 career victories & a two-time NCAA D2 qualifier who went 4th-2nd-2nd at Super Region V. 4th-8th-6th at Midwest Classic & a Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) champion. 

125
Treyton Ackman

16 wins on the season, Treyton Ackman was 5th at Super Region V.  A champion at the Luther Open, he was runner-up at the Auggie Open. 

133
Dawson Schmit

16 wins on the season last year, Dawson Schmit was one match shy of being a Midwest Classic place-winner. 

157
Preston Klosterman

6th at Super Region V, Preston Klosterman won 27 matches last season.  A Luther Open champion, he was 2nd at the Auggie Open & one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic. 

165
Nick Mueller

20 wins on the year, Nick Mueller was a GLVC champion & 6th at Super Region V. 

174
Lawson Losee

6th in the D3 nation & 5th at the Midwest Classic in 2025, unfortunately Lawson Losee had his 2025-2026 cut short due to injury.  Nonetheless he still managed to win both the Luther & Auggie Opens before getting hurt. 

197
Matt Marcum

19 wins on the year, Matt Marcum was one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier last season.  2nd at the Auggie Open. 

197
Geoff Freeman

Got some really good news (9-14-2026)!  Geoff Freeman is back & he's poised & ready to not only make a run at national qualification, not only make a run at All American, but make a run at NCAA D2 national champion! Excited! 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Vanguard 2026-2027

 

Among the positives happening concerning California collegiate wrestling, Vanguard is one of them.  This could be a monumental season for the Lions, as it has plenty of potential to be. 

133
Zach Klarcyk

20-4 on the year, Zach Klarcyk was one match shy of qualifying for the NCAA D2 championships. 

141
Fernando Barreto

Talent & ability wise, Fernando Barreto has what it takes to be an NCAA D2 national champion this year.  He took 2025 NCAA D2 champion Johnny Lopez to a 2-1 decision.  Not to mention he toyed around with two-time NCAA D2 qualifier Pedro Velsaquez in a 21-6 technical fall.  Barreto competes this season, he's gonna be the man to beat. 

149
Hercules Windrath

Hercules Windrath was 6th at Super Region VI last year. 

184
Marquize Brown

One match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier, Marquize Brown won 23 matches last year & won a title at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At West Liberty 2026-2027

 

Looks to be another successful year of Hilltopper wrestling as West Liberty returns 6 of their 8 Super Region III place-winners, 5 of which were NCAA D2 qualifiers & 2 were All-Americans.  

We do say good-bye to some standouts for the black & gold. 

Khyvon Grace, what an outstanding career he had.  4th-3rd-2nd-1st in Super Region III, he was 7th-2nd-2nd in the NCAA D2 nation.  93 career wins, always turning it on when it mattered. 

Jordan Watters, an NCAA D2 qualifier in 2022, came one match shy this year.  A Mountain East Conference (MEC) champion. 

Carter Winegardner, who finished both junior & senior seasons one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier.  Also a MEC champ this year. 

125
Logan Davis

Silver at Super Region III & bronze in the D2 nation. Logan Davis will be gunning for gold in both areas come 2026-2027.  18 wins on the year, he won Mount Union & was the MEC runner-up. 

133
J.J. Armstrong

A Super Region III champion in 2025 & a runner-up this past season, J.J. Armstrong is looking to become a three-time NCAA D2 qualifier this season.  18 wins last year & a title at Mount Union. 

149
Tony Wood

Things unfortunately fell apart for Tony Wood at Super Region III last year, but there's plenty of reasons to think that this season, things will happen as they should.  The Hilltopper won 28 matches last year, winning titles at both Baldwin Wallace & MEC.  He was 3rd at Fairmont State. 

157
Nico Taddy

33 wins on the season, Nico Taddy won a Super Region III title last year, placing 6th in the D2 nation.  Titles won at Mount Union & MEC, he was 4th at the Midwest Classic. 

165
Brodie Morgan

23 wins on the year & a runner-up showing at Baldwin Wallace, look for Brodie Morgan to step it up at 165 this season. 

184
Oliver Byerly

Oliver Byerly won titles at both MEC & Super Region III last year. 

HWT
Parker Bentley

A Super Region III runner-up last season, Parker Bently won 23 matches capturing a title at Baldwin Wallace & finishing 3rd at MEC. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Western Colorado 2026-2027

 

The Mountaineers bring back a great squad of talented grapplers looking for a successful 2026-2027 in the world of NCAA Division II wrestling.  Often times in wrestling the difference between being where you want to be & where you don't want to be is rather minute.  A lot of the crimson & slate finished a match or two shy of being an NCAA DII qualifier.  Should give plenty of motivation and determination moving forward. 

125
Devin Gomez

An NCAA DII qualifier for the Mountaineers last season, Devin Gomez won 24 matches in route to a runner-up finish at Super Region VI.  He was also 8th at the prestigious Midwest Classic.

149
Eyan Chavez

Unfortunately, Eyan Chavez did not have the best Super Region VI last year but showed during other parts of the season what he is capable of in 2026-2027. A match shy of being top 8 at the Midwest Classic, he won a 7-2 decision over D2 qualifier Alex Castanada. 

157
Vincent Cabral

4th & 5th thus far in Super Region VI, Vincent Cabral is looking for a top 3 finish & NCAA D2 qualification in 2027.  He was 6th at last year's Midwest Classic. 

174
Hunter Richardson

The Alaska native won 17 matches last season & placed 5th at Super Region VI. 

197
Sage Harrison

Sage Harrison heads into his final season of competition having posted 4th & 6th place finishes in Super Region VI. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Wheeling 2026-2027

 

Cardinals put three on the award stand last season at Super Region I & all three turn for action in 2026-2027! 

141
Jack Dinwiddie

22 wins on the season, Jack Dinwiddie placed 6th at Super Region I. 

UPDATE: Was just informed that Jack Dinwiddie will be wrestling for Findlay this year. 

197
Jaxon Burcher

A Mountain East Conference (MEC) runner-up last season, Jaxon Burcher placed 6th at Super Region I & won 16 matches. 

HWT
Gavin Harper

Among two talented sophomores, it'll be senior Gavin Harper who leads the way for the Cardinals this season.  5th & 4th thus far in Super Region I, he's looking to secure a place in the top 3 & punch a ticket to Cedar Rapids come March.  3rd & 2nd in the MEC, he'll also be looking for gold there as well.