JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Johnson & Wales 2026-2027

 

Another successful year for Johnson & Wales, as Coach Lonnie Morris put 8 on the award stand at Regional I & sent three of those 8 to the national tournament.  2026-2027 looks to be another successful season for Wildcat wrestling, I'd say a potential to be even better than 2025-2026.  We do unfortunately lose some talent, but there is a ton coming back. 

Things don't always end the way they should & it was hard watching Adolfo Betancur end his career one match shy of D3 qualification.  Nonetheless, he made it to the national tournament as a sophomore & junior, earning 6th place D3 All-American honors in 2025. Great career, 82 victories. 

Same can be said for Patrick Wisniewski.  8th in the D3 nation in 2025, came up a little short of qualification last season with a 5th place showing at Regional I. 

Tom DiResta ended his stellar career an NCAA D3 qualifier, 2nd at Regional I. 

125
Nico Rivera

If there is a lightweight university, it may very well be Johnson & Wales.  Joziah Fry one of the best 125'ers of all time.  Well, Nico Rivera might not be too far behind him.  34-7 as a freshman last year, a Regional I champion & 6th in the D3 nation.  Won titles at both Roger Williams & the Auggie Invitational. 

133
Peyton Ellis

In '24-'25, Peyton Ellis went 30-4 on the year finishing one match shy of being a D3 All-American.  Last year he was destined for greatness, sitting on an 18-2 record when he got hurt.  Before injury, he had won titles at both Roger Williams & the Auggie Invite. 

149
Jared Spahn

Jared Spahn was 5th at last year's Regional I. 

149
Ryan Currier

17 wins on the season last year.  I wouldn't be surprised if out of Spahn & Currier, if one of them went 157 to make the team stronger. 

165
Jack Richardson

5th in the D3 nation a year ago, Jack Richardson looks to become a two-time NCAA D3 All-American & a four-time Regional I place-winner in '26-'27.  4th-2nd-1st in the Regional thus far, he was 31-4 on the year, also a champion at Roger Williams. 

184
Zach Miller

25 wins on the year, Zach Miller was 5th at Regional I. 

197
Anthony Fernandez

5th at Regional I & a Roger Williams champ, Anthony Fernandez won 22 matches last year. 

HWT
Brayden Soleau

Filling in for the spot left by Betancur, Brayden Soleau won 21 matches last season.  One of which was a 7-2 decision over D3 qualifier Kam Dorchester.  He was also a runner-up at Roger Williams. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Loras 2026-2027

 

10 Regional VI place-winners, 7 NCAA D3 qualifiers, 3 All-Americans & a 17-3 dual meet record.  I realize that Coach Jaren Glosser was probably hoping for more, but I'd still call that a very successful '25-'26 season.  Loras returns a ton of talent this year, but they also lose some very valuable assets. Some wrestlers that I sure know that I'll miss seeing around. 

Gotta start with Eric Kinkaid. What a standout legendary career this guy ended up having.  After placing 3rd at Regional VI as a freshman, he went on to win three titles in what is arguably often the toughest Regional in the country. 108 career wins, he found himself on the D3 award stand three times going 4th-3rd-5th in his final three seasons. 

Dustin Bohren another great in Duhawk wrestling. A three-time NCAA D3 qualifier, winning two Regional VI championships. 7th in the D3 nation as a sophomore & comes back this year as a senior to take 3rd.  Won 100 career matches. 

Chase Fiser, a two-time Regional VI runner-up

Nosa Egbon, finished his career one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier & Kam Royster finished 8th at Regional VI. 

125
Aiden Gruenenfelder

Obviously that this kid has a very bright future ahead of him. 30-6 last year as a freshman, he placed 3rd at Regional VI earning his first trip to the NCAA Division III championships. 

133
Connor Fiser

Connor Fiser heads into this junior season now a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier with Regional VI finishes of 2nd & 1st. 

141
Aaron Boone

Look for Aaron Boone to step into the now vacant spot at 141.  An 11-2 major decision over 2025 NCAA D3 finalist Sean Conway should give indication of what he's capable of this season. 

165
Braylon Griffiths

The former Ottumwa Bulldog won 13 matches last season, placing 8th at Regional VI. 

184
Landry Barker

26 wins on the season for the Louisiana native who took runner-up honors at both Regional VI & the Concordia-Wisconsin Open. 

HWT
Jonah Clark

Wayland, Ainsworth, Crawfordsville, Olds, represent!  The former Warrior of WACO had an outstanding season last year making the Regional VI finals & finished 3rd in the D3 nation! 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lakeland 2026-2027

 

The Muskies put five on the award stand at the super competitive Regional VII last year & all five return for action in 2026-2027! 

141
Jake Hillshafer

18 wins on the year, Jaek Hillshafer made the finals of the Muskie Scramble & took 8th at Regional VII. 

149
Jesse Burg

Jesse Burg heads into '26-'27 looking to become a three-time Regional VII place-winner having thus far posted 6th & 7th place finishes.  A Champion at the Mid-States Invite, he was 3rd at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  29 wins in '26. 

165
Evan Haferkorn

Another Mid-States Invite champ for the Muskies, Evan Haferkorn was 7th at Regional VII, 22 wins on the year. 

174
Will Ohman

Will Ohman was 7th at Regional VII a year ago. 

HWT
Diego Morales

18 wins on the year, Diego Morales was 6th at Regional VII. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At KeyStone 2026-2027

 

Not sure what's up with Keystone in recent times.  '25-'26 was a rough year & numbers seem way down as of late too. Hopefully things get turned around quick & we start seeing some success for the Giants. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Kean 2026-2027

 

Not everything is an overnight success.  Sometimes things take time.  Rome wasn't built in a day.  

Joe Dasti, Frank Croce, Ben Bevens, Steve Giordano, Ives Viola, there have been some legendary names in Kean wrestling history.  Give it some time, there will be again. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Juniata 2026-2027

 

I haven't heard a whole heck of a lot about Juniata wrestling as of the time this was written.  What I do know is that I'm excited about this reinstatement. Juniata was a tough competitive team within the Middle Atlantic Conference at one time, and they can be again. Joe Paskill, Gary Barrier, & Pete Schuyler are some legendary names of the past.  Who will be the names of the future? 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Johns Hopkins 2026-2027

 

The Bluejays crowned two Regional III place-winners this past season & both return for action in 2026-2027.  

Although Connor Powell was not a Regional place-winner last season, I do want to put a word in for him.  Won some important matches for the Bluejays in his career, including collected bronze & silver medals in his final two Centennial Collegiate Conference (CCC) championships. 

133
Duncan Stadler

The Washington D.C. native collected 16 wins on the season, finishing 8th at Regional III. 

149
Freddy Pimental

8th at Regional III & 5th at the Racich Rumble, Freddy Pimental was 3rd at the CCC.  Collected 27 wins in '25-'26. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at John Carroll 2026-2027

 

The Blue Streaks crowned 7 Regional V place-winners last year, and will return 4 as we head into '26-'27. I look for this to be a year of determination for John Carroll, as each of the four has some unfinished business that needs taken care of. 

Gone are...

Ty Daugherty, an NWCA Scholar All-American who finished his career one match shy of D3 qualification. 

Aiden Ashburn, who won 84 matches during his time as a Blue Streak, 5th at the at Regional V. 

Tom Lunt, a two-time Regional V place-winner, who ended his career as a D3 qualifier after placing 3rd at Regional V last year. 79 career wins & an NWCA Academic All-American. 

Brett Stanley
125

25 wins on the year, Brett Stanley heads into his junior season of competition now a two-time Regional V place-winner, 6th & 7th.  He was also an NWCA scholar All-American last season. 

141
Adom Sharpley

28 wins on the year, Adom Sharpley nearly made the NCAA D3 championships last year as a freshman, placing 4th at Regional V.  He made the finals of the Spartan Mat Classic. 

149
Kyle Bizjak

Getting it done on the mat & getting it done in the classroom, Kyle Bizjak is both a three-time NWCA Academic All-American & a three-time Regional V place-winner (8th-7th-4th).  He'll look to become a four-timer in both areas, and look to earn NCAA D3 qualification in '26-'27. 

184
Wills Bronson

'25-'26 ended up not being as rewarding as was '24'-25 for Wills Bronson.  A Regional V runner-up & a Pete Willson champion in 2025, he was 5th at Regional V last year & a match shy of placing at Pete Willson.  He'll look to redeem himself at both tournaments in his final season as a Blue Streak. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Ithaca 2026-2027

 

As usually look for the Bombers to explode with talent as we head into 2026-2027.  Last year, 8 Regional II place-winners, & 5 NCAA D3 qualifiers.  We do lose four do to being out of eligibility, but four return, plus two more bound to detonate. 

What a career it was for Isaias Torres.  2nd-1st-2nd-2nd in Regional II, he found himself in the blood round of the NCAA D3 tournament, all four years of his collegiate career. A two-time All-American going R12-7th-R12-7th.  113 career wins. 

Konrad Park, 96 wins during his career. A two-time NCAA D3 qualifier, Regional II champion, and a two-time SUNY-AC champ. 

Xavier Pommels, an NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, one match shy last year in 2026. 2nd-4th in his final two Regional II championships.  A SUNY-AC champ this year. 

Ryan Galka, a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier. 

125
Tomah Gummow

I believe Tomah Gummow, who was 3rd at Regional II in 2025, took last year as a "redshirt" of sorts.  He did win the Ithaca Invite & he placed 3rd at the New York States. 

133
Jay McDonnell

Standout season for this young man last year.  28-6 on the year, A Regional II champion, also winning titles at Ithaca & New York States.  Was 3rd at Shorty Hitchcock & 4th at New Standard. 

157
Akio Sanders

21 wins on the season for Akio Sanders.  7th at Regional II, he was the Ithaca Invite runner-up & 3rd at New Standard. 

165
Chris Reddy

Chris Reddy won 25 matches last season.  8th at Regional II, he was 2nd at the New York States & 3rd at the Ithaca Invite. 

Kamdyn Dorchester
HWT

An NCAA D3 qualifier for the Bombers with a 3rd place showing at Regional II, Kamdyn Dorchester won 31 matches last season.  Silver at the Ithaca Invite, he was bronze at both the New York States & the SUNY-AC. 

HWT
Charlie Turner

As good as both Kamdyn Dorchester & Charlie Turner both are, I'd like to think maybe one of them could make 197. Judging by their size, probably not likely.  Shame, as both of these guys are NCAA D3 qualifier material.  Turner actually beat Dorchester in action last season, a SUNY-AC runner-up.  12 wins on the season himself. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Illinois Wesleyan 2026-2027

 

The Titans crowned two Regional VI place-winners last season & both are back for action in 2026-2027. 

133
Tyson Zvonar

An NWCA Academic All-American, Tyson Zvonar won 23 matches last year placing 3rd at the Collegiate Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin & 8th at Regional VI. 

133
Tyson Zvonar

Another NWCA Academic All-American for the Titans, Tyson Zvonar won 18 matches last year & placed 6th at Regional VI.. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Hiram 2026-2027

 

125
Taveon Moss

The star of Terrier Wrestling this past season, Taveon Moss looks to continue his winning ways in '26-'27.  26 wins on the season, he finished 6th at Regional IV.  A Presidents Athletic Conference champion, he finished 5th at both the Baldwin Wallace Invite & the Ohio Northern Open. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Greensboro 2026-2027

 

Going to be a rebuilding year for the Pride, as their two best wrestlers are now out of eligibility. 

I don't know the whole story concerning Mitch Johnson, but I sure would like to know it.  His entire collegiate career he wrestles less than 20 matches, yet he makes the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Finals & nearly makes the NCAA D3 tournament with a 4th place showing at Regional IV.  On top of it, he was listed as an official coach of both the men's & women's programs. There's a story there, and I'm interested in unraveling it. 

we also lose Isaiah Manning, who took back-to-back 8th place finishes in Regional IV that past two seasons. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Huntingdon 2026-2027

 

I shed a tear as I begin to think about Huntingdon Wrestling.  When I was growing up, as a little boy back in the late 80's & early 90's, I was a huge professional wrestling fan. If you think I'm fixated & obsessed with collegiate wrestling now, you should've seen me with WWE back in those days.  One of my all-time favorites was Marty Jannetty. Call it irony, divine intervention, or whatever you like, but somehow or another, years later one of JT1Wrestle's biggest fans, and most dedicated readers is Ron Stuebe. For those of you that are unaware, Ron was Jannetty's collegiate coach at Chattahoochee Valley.  Ron also was the original originator of Huntingdon wrestling, and I don't know if anything made Ron happier than when the Hawks reinstated their wrestling program. 

I know if Ron were alive, and he started seeing me post about D3 teams, he'd impatiently be messaging me on Facebook about when the Huntingdon preview would be coming out.  I had the honor and the privilege of I believe being Ron's final interview.  We spoke about his time at Chattahoochee Valley.  We were going to do a follow up interview concerning Huntingdon wrestling, and that's right around the time his health took a really bad turn for the worst. 

I've met a lot of great people in this sport, and Ron Stuebe was one of them. He loved being one of those guys that people doubted, loved coaching kids that people doubted. He didn't mind being the underdog, and he didn't mind at all proving people wrong.  I have no doubt he's proud of what Huntingdon has done & what the Hawks continue to accomplish.  A Southern School, with southern wrestlers, coming up into a conference made up of mostly Iowa schools, with midwestern talent, & showing that kids from Alabama, Tennessee & Georgia know how to scrap.  It's still a work in progress, but Huntingdon continues to make Coach Stuebe proud. 

We lose two & we return two of the four Regional Place-winners from last season. 

Cole Lalock 7th at Regional VI is gone, as is Steve Flagg who took 8th. 

157
Damion Jones

8th at Regional VI, Damion Jones won a title at the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) & took 2nd at the Millikin Open. 

197
Kevin Shaw

6th at Regional VI, Kevin Shaw earned runner-up finishes at both the Huntingdon Open & SLIAC. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Hunter 2026-2027

 

Botensky Bauzile
133

7th & 8th thus far in Regional II, look for Botensky Bauzile to become a three-time Regional place-winner for the Hawks this season.