JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At United States Coast Guard Academy 2026-2027

 

Think about it for a moment.  In order to be admitted to the United States Coast Guard Academy, you are going to have to average at least a 3.7 GPA.  At least a 24 on your ACT or an 1120 on your SAT.  Then once there, you have all of the military requirements on top of your schoolwork & wrestling practice.  

Even with these extremely rigorous requirements, the USCGA still placed 9 at Regional I! Sent 5 to the NCAA DIII national tournament & placed three top 8 in the D3 nation!  

Five return for action this year, plus another that didn't place at Regionals last year, but should this season. 


Gone are....

Three-time Regional I place-winner (7th-4th-3rd) & 2026 NCAA D3 qualifier Nikko Beato. 

Nate Fitt, who must have listened to Steve Winwood a handful of times because he found himself Back in the High Life Again.  A Regional I champion in 2024; he was 5th in 2025 but came back strong to win another Regional I title in 2026.  Not only that but he earned D3 All American honors with a 6th place finish. 

Carl DiGiorgio, you have to rank him somewhere as one of the best USCGA wrestlers of all time.  96 career wins, and I believe the only four-time All-American in school history.  7th-3rd-2nd-5th in the D3 nation.  2nd-1st-1st-1st in Regional I.  The Bears have had two D3 national champions. So, depending on your perspective, standards & benchmarks, perhaps DiGiorgio is #1. 

133
Marvin Armistead

The sophomore went 20-6 last year, earning runner-up honors at Regional I. 

165
Landon Kearns

5th & 4th in Regional I, Landon Kearns heads into '26-'27 one of the best wrestlers yet to make the NCAA D3 championships. He went 25-6 last year. 

174
Mason Gourley

18 wins on the season for Mason Gourley, who was 8th at Regional I. 

184
Caden Stout

4th & 3rd thus far in Regional I, Caden Stout will look to become a Regional I champion & a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier this season. 

197
Gabe Monroe

Speaking of cementing yourself among the all time greats of USCGA wrestling, that's the plan of Gabe Monroe.  26 wins last year & 8th in the D3 nation.  Won titles at Regional I, Roger Williams & Don Parker. 

141
Dom Moyer

Dom Moyer did not place at last year's Regional I, but he had some notable victories among his 19 wins last year & should be top 8 Regional I in 2027. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Chicago 2026-2027

 

I remember how excited I was when I first found out that Matt Gentry was taking over as the head coach of the University of Chicago.  I knew from that day forward the Maroons were going to see levels of success far beyond the horizon & that I'd be writing about various accomplishments season after season.  Chicago put 6 on the award stand at Regional V & out of those 6, 5 were NCAA Division III qualifiers.  Out of those 5 qualifiers, two earned All-American status.  

We lose Sean Conway, who had an outstanding career for the Maroons.  103 wins, an NCAA D3 finalist in 2025 & a two-time Regional V finalist who won the title this year.  Not to mention a three-time Pete Willson Invitational place-winner with 5th-8th-3rd finishes. 

Gunnar Garriques, who I must admit I pronounced his name wrong for years up until I heard it pronounced correctly in Cedar Rapids.  Gare-icks, and here I always thought it was gar-ree-quez.  My apologies on that.  He also closes out his stellar career.  5th-3rd-1st at Regional V, he earned All-American status of 4th, also making the finals of Pete Willson. 

Back?   Three sophomores looking to perhaps cement their history as some of the greatest Chicago Maroons of all time, a junior with something to prove & a senior looking for redemption after an injury plagued year. 

125
Matt Barlay

3rd in Regional V & 6th at Pete Willson, Matt Barlay finished off the season one match shy of being an NCAA Division III All-American. 

149
M²

The name is Maksim Mukhamedaliyev & I better learn to pronounced it, because we could be looking at the greatest Chicago wrestler ever in the making.  He won 45 matches last year as a freshman.  45 matches as a freshman! There are wrestlers who won't earn 45 wins in their entire career!  4th in the D3 nation, he won titles at Trine, Concordia-Wisconsin, Al Hanke & Regional V.  He was 3rd at Pete Willson. 

165
Nick Cheshier

8th & 5th in Regional V thus far, Nick Cheshier heads into '26-'27 looking to earn his first trip to the NCAA D3 championships.  He was an Al Hanke champion. 

Jackson Davis
184

The Tennessee native had a great rookie season last year, that ended with a Regional V title.  32 wins in all, he was the runner-up at both Trine & Pete Willson, taking 3rd at Concordia-Wisconsin. 

133
Jackson Rustad

6th & 7th in Regional V as a freshman & sophomore, injury kept Jackson Rustad from becoming a three-time place-winner & possible NCAA D3 qualifier last year.  To give indication of what he's capable of, an 8-6 win over two-time D3 qualifier Conner Fiser. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Concordia-Wisconsin 2026-2027

 

133
Anastacio Martinez

Anastacio Martinez looks to be the leader of the Falcons this season as we head into '26-'27.  He was the sole Regional VII place-winner last year, earning 8th place.  Had 17 victories. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Chatham 2026-2027

 

Of the 14 colleges in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we had another that will now have a college wrestling team. Don't know a lot about head Coach Bryan Pflanz & I haven't heard anything concerning recruits or possible transfers.  Excited for the new program though. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Central 2026-2027

 

A lot of good things continue to happen in Pella, Iowa as the Dutch continue to be much in both the ultra competitive Regional VI & overall NCAA Division III.  Central put 9 out of 10 wrestlers on the award stand at Regional VI last year & sent three of them to the national tournament, with two bringing home some hardware...including some gold! 

6 or 7 of the 9 return & as now I'm treating it like 7.  The eligibility of one wrestler, I am not sure of at the moment this was written. 


100 career wins, three trips to the NCAA DIII tournament & back-to-back All-American honors, we say goodbye to Pierre Baldwin.  Representing the red & white, he earned 6th & 3rd place D3 finishes, going 2nd-1st-3rd in Regional VI. 

Sam West also had a great career for the Dutch.  6th-4th-3rd at Regional VI, he ended his career an NCAA D3 national qualifier. 

125
Carter West

One of the things I love about Central wrestling is that they get the job done with a lot of local talent.  I competed against West Burlington Notre Dame a handful of times back in my day, and how cool it is to see their wrestlers succeeding at a higher level.  West was one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier last year, 4th at Regional VI. 

133
C.J. Davis

Another rep of WBND, CJ Davis won 17 matches this past season, placing 7th at Regional VI. 

149
Cade Siebrecht

I know for an absolute fact that the Dutch want Cade Siebrecht back this season, but I'm not 100% positive if he has any eligibility left of not.  Pretty confusing.  He went 29-1 last year, his only loss in the Auggie Invite finals.  Other than that, this dude collected a lot of gold. Including a Regional VI title & an NCAA D3 title! 

157
Christian Stanek

The Cedar Rapids Xavier standout finished one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification last year, 4th at Regional VI. 

165
Shane Hanford

Another Iowa boy, this one from West Marshall. Shane Hanford finished 7th at Regional VI. 

184
Cole Martin 

Cole Martin finished 7th at Regional VI. 

HWT
Jamal Neeway

Jamal Neeway won 14 matches last season in route to a 6th place showing at Regional VI. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Centenary 2026-2027

 

I suppose the first thing I want to say about Centenary wrestling is that I'm sure going to miss seeing Danny Haws in action.  3rd-3rd-1st-2nd at Regional II, the four-time NCAA Division III qualifier has to rank pretty high among the best to never All-American.  I believe his 96 career victories places him third overall on career wins among the Cyclones. 

Centenary also loses Jack Thode, who I was so happy to see break through in his final season & become an NCAA D3 qualifier.  He finished that dreaded 4th at Regional II as a junior in 2025.  To see him come in and absolutely dominate his way to a title this past year was very rewarding. 


The Cyclones return three Regional II place-winners for '26-'27, plus another from last season who should also earn top 8 status as well. 

141
Joey Innamorato

A Bob Quade champ last season, Joey Innamorato finished 6th at Regional II. 

165
Hunter Cleaver

Hunter Cleaver finished 5th last year at Regional II. 

Reese Smith
174

Reese Smith was also 5th at Regional II last year. 

HWT
Jonathan Martinez

Although Jonathan Martinez did not have a good Regional II last season, he did look good at other points in the season.  4th at Shorty Hitchcock. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Case Western Reserve 2026-2027

 

In more than one way, I would call '25-'26 a very rewarding season for Case Western Reserve Wrestling. For one, 8 Regional V place-winners. Coach David Shapiro returns 4 for 2026-2027. 

Seeing Art Martinez finally punch through & earn NCAA D3 qualification was a very rewarding moment to me as a wrestling fan. 5th-4th-4th at Regional V, I just knew he had to make it through this final season & he finally won that do or die match to take 3rd.  Taking 6th place All-American honors was icing on the cake. 

Also rewarding to see Tom Wagner make it to the dance this year.  4th in 2025, he took punched through to take 3rd at this year's Regional V. 

Also graduated are Marty Landes 8th at Regional V & Aiden Gassell who took 6th. 

141
Hunter Keane

Art Martinez showed Coach Shapiro that Georgia boys know how to scrap, so he went out & found him another good talent from the southeast.  Hunter Keane placed 7th as a freshman last year at Regional V. 

174
Chase Crutchley

Chase Curtchley will look for NCAA D3 qualification this season, after finishing a match short of it last season. 

184
Matt Gummere

An NCAA D3 qualifier for the Spartans last season, Matt Gummere was 3rd at Regional V last year.  A talented musician, I'd be curious to know if he is familiar with the band Canned Heat.  Before his time? Hell, they were BEFORE my time!  Nonetheless, love the song Going Up The Country and I'd be curious if he knows how to play it. 

HWT
Alex Goldman

Also a talented tennis & soccer player, Alex Goldman took 7th at Regional V. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Brockport 2026-2027

 

The Golden Eagles return 3 of their five Regional II place-winners, including both whom were NCAA D3 qualifiers. 

Gone is Tyler Rossini, who had a great career for Brockport.  The 2025 NCAA D3 qualifier went 7th-2nd-6th at Regional II & won a SUNY-AC title this year. 

Simon Lingle, placed 8th the past two Regional II's. 

Young & hungry, look forward to a successful year of Golden Eagle wrestling! 

125
Trevor Middendorf

24-8 as a freshman last season.  An NCAA D3 qualifier, this included a Regional II runner-up finish, winning both the New York States & the SUNY-AC. 

184
Avery Bustamante

Another tough sophomore, Avery Bustamante was 21-8 last year as a freshman.  6th at Regional II, he collected silver medals at both the New York States & the SUNY-AC. 

HWT
Mike Welsh

22-9 as a rookie, Mike Welsh made the Regional II finals last season, also a runner-up at Wilkes. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Bridgewater State 2026-2027

 

Three Regional I place-winners for the Bears last season, as two return. 

Gone is Malcolm Chispin, 7th at Regional I

133
Ethan Buonanducci

The Connecticut native was 5th at Regional I last season & 3rd at Petrofes 

157
Avery Carl

The Vermont native nearly made the NCAA D3 tournament as a freshman last season, finishing 4th at Regional I. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Blackburn 2026-2027

 

Rough reason for the Beavers of Blackburn last year. Yet it was also Tim McGuire's first season as head coach & I know both he & the athletic director want wrestling to be a successful sport at the school.  He's had success at Shenandoah & at Chicago. Furthermore I think there's still a fire burning within him concerning what went wrong at Marquette. Channeling that into something positive, is a future I see happening in the future.  2026-2027? Maybe. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Averett 2026-2027

 

The Cougars of Averett are looking forward to another successful season of collegiate wrestling after placing 7 in the top 8 at Regional IV.  Two NCAA D3 qualifiers, three of these talents return for more success in '26-'27. 

NCAA D3 qualifier Khalil Mitchell, who was 3rd at Regional IV is now out of eligibility.  He ends his career a three-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) finalist, having gone 2nd-1st-1st. 

Mike Gabbard, who was 5th at Regional IV, as well as Jacob Jiminez 6th, & Carter Erikson 8th, all three NWCA Academic All-Americans, are also finished with their collegiate careers. 

125
Adrian Samano

Standout season for the Cougar last year.  22-7 on the year, included an ODAC title & a 2nd place showing at Regional IV.  Finished one match shy of being an NCAA D3 All-American. 

133
A.J. Orlando

27 wins on the year, there are a lot of goals that A.J. Orlando will be looking to meet in his final season as a Cougar.  5th & 6th thus far in Regional IV, he'll be looking to become a three-time place-winner & an NCAA D3 qualifier.  2nd-3rd-3rd, he'll be looking to win the ODAC.  With a name like his, maybe looking to go to Disney World when it's all said & done? 

157
Carter Shupert

24 wins on the season & a runner-up finish at Lycoming, Carter Shupert was 5th at Regional IV. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Carthage 2026-2027

 

Will be a rebuilding year for the Firebirds as only one of their four Regional 7 place-winners returns for action in 2026-2027.  

Gone are...

Chris Kish, a two-time Regional 7 place-winner, who ended his career one match shy of NCAA DIII qualification & 2nd in the Collegiate Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW). 

Zaren Anderson, a CCIW runner-up & 7th in Regional 7

Matt Schmitt, 8th in Regional 7

141
Edgar Albino

A CCIW champion for the Redbirds, Edgar Albino was 5th at Regional 7. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Buena Vista 2026-2027

 

Buena Vista graduated their sole Regional 6 place-winner last year, Tyler Japp who took 8th place.  Had a friend who competed for BVU years ago & when I was in college I drove the hour to Storm Lake a handful of times to watch some duals. Hope to see the Beavers have some success in '26-'27. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Baldwin Wallace 2026-2027

 

I do my best to keep up with 432 college wrestling teams.  Not an easy, or even practical thing to try & do, but I do it anyway.  And you know what I've noticed about Baldwin Wallace wrestling? This is a team that has fun.  I think sometimes we get so caught up in wins & losses, standing on award stands, and everything else we deem as "success" that we forget that wrestling is supposed to be fun. Of course winning IS fun, and it's very obvious Baldwin Wallace also understands that quite well too! 

As we look forward to the return of 7 talents, we say goodbye to three others. 

Tommy West was a pleasure to watch.  Ended his career a Regional IV champion & 7th in the D3 nation.  Also an NWCA Academic All-American. 

Remmington Bauer 5th-2nd-2nd in Regional IV, a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier & a three-time NWCA Academic All-American. 

Joey Petrella, one of many notable Petrellas that have competed for the Yellow-Jackets.  4th & 5th in the D3 nation, 1st & 3rd in Regional IV. 

125
Dorian Hoffman

Dorian Hoffman will be looking to break through & make a trip to the D3 national tournament after having come close the past two seasons with 5th & 4th place Regional IV finishes. 

133
Chase Creque

The Tennessee native made the NCAA D3 tournament on his first try with a 3rd place showing at Regional IV.  Put together a 21-8 record. 

149
Antonio Shelley

26 wins on the season, Antonio Shelley earned NCAA D3 qualification for the Yellow-Jackets with a 3rd place showing at Regional IV. 

149
Manny Scordos

Much in the same boat as Dorian Hoffman, Manny Scordos will be looking for NCAA D3 qualification having posted 4th & 5th place Regional 7 finishes the past two seasons.  He was also an NWCA Academic All-American. 

157
Caleb Hoffman

27 wins on the season, Caleb Hoffman was 6th at Regional IV. 

165
Andrew Supers

Could we be looking at the brown & yellow's next NCAA Division III champion? I think that's a very real possibility.  39-3 on the season, Andrew Supers heads into his final season of collegiate eligibility a two-time NCAA D3 All-American with 5th & 2nd place finishes.  3rd-1st-1st, he's also looking to become a three-time Regional IV champion. 

HWT
Andy Vanscoy

How about an NCAA D3 national champion, that also plays on the offensive line of the football team? When's the last time we saw that?  Had some All-Americans, but it's been a while since a national champion.  Yellow-Jackets could have that this year as well.  A Regional IV champ last year, Andy Vanscoy was 4th in the D3 nation.  33-8 on the year. 

HWT
Christian McChesney

The first thing that Andy Vanscoy has to do however is once again overcome Christian McChesney for the starting spot.  24 wins last year, McChesney was an NCAA D3 qualifier himself in 2025.