*NOTE* - Before we get started, I want to make sure that we are all on the same page. Like for NCAA Division 3 this will only include those who were eligible for qualification in the first place. Yes I know, there are a ton of extremely good backups/reserves. I'm well aware, but they are for another conversation at another time. This is about those that tried to qualify & came up short. This also isn't going to include those that were injured prior to the SUPER REGIONS. I know how good Jimmy Anderson is, but he did not wrestle in the Super Region, so he will not be included. Hope all is clear.
We'll start things off at 125....
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| #1 Trevon Gray Pittsburgh-Johnstown 125 |
This one hurts. A three-time NCAA D2 qualifier with 7th & 4th place All-American finishes. Gets caught on his back & then ends up having to default out of the tournament due to injury. This was not at all the way Trevon Gray's career was supposed to come to an end. The takeaway here though, is that he won the Midwest Classic earlier this year. Many, including not only JT1Wrestle, but coaches in D2 feel that MWC is just as, and even sometimes tougher than D2 Nationals itself. Gray ends his career with 93 victories. This year alone, 8-6 over Regional 1 champ Logan Sallot, 17-2 tech over Regional 1 3rd place finisher Nic Allison, 16-1 tech over Regional 2 3rd place finisher Cooper Davis, 7-2 over Regional 5 3rd place finisher Shane Corrigan & 6:38 fall over Regional 6 champion Isaiah Gamez.
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| #9 Colton Drousias Glenville State 125 |
Another senior whose illustrious career comes to an end. An NCAA D2 qualifier last season & 8th in the D2 nation, Colton Drousias came up a little short this year finishing 5th at Super Region III. Among the many accomplishments he had during his time as a Pioneer, he was 6th & 8th at the Midwest Classic. Defeated four D2 qualifiers on the year.
15-8 over Regional 2 champion Cole Hunt
12-3 over Regional 2 runner-up Ricky Springs
11-3 over Regional 3 runner-up Logan Davis
6-2 over Regional 4 runner-up Nathan Smith
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| #10 Billy Smith Findlay 125 |
28 wins on the year, Billy Smith was both one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic & one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier. Gave us plenty of reasons to think that he will make it to the dance in his final season of '26-'27. A 10-0 major decision over Regional 1 3rd place finisher Nic Allison, he defeated Regional 2 runner up Ricky Springs 16-11 & Regional 5 runner-up Ben Aranda 4-2.
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| #11 Braydon Mitchell Emmanuel (GA) 125 |
The end of the season is NOT when you want to get injured, but that is exactly what happened to sophomore Braydon Mitchell, forcing the Lion to MFF to a 6th place finish at Super Region II. Nonetheless, as Emmanuel continues looking for their first All-American on the men's side of things, Mitchell remains a hopeful candidate. Two wins over Cooper Davis (12-6 & 4-2), he also defeated Nathan Smith 6-3 s.v. & Reginal 6 3rd place finisher Quade Smith 6-5.
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| #14 Cayleb Coyle Nebraska-Kearney 125 |
The Loper came up a bit short of NCAA D2 qualification finishing 5th at Super Region VI. On the year had an 8-2 win over Shane Corrigan & an 8-5 tiebreaker over Ben Aranda.
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| Luke Acuna Ashland 125 |
A two-time NCAA D2 qualifier, Luke Acuna came up short of bid #3 this season. Nonetheless the Eagle earned 78 career victories during his DII career. Among his wins, this season a 5:22 fall over Cooper Davis.
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| Jake Fitzpatrick Mankato State 125 |
The sophomore collected 27 wins this season, including an 11-9 dec over Super Region V champion Sloan Johannson, as well as a 12-2 major decision over Super Region V runner-up Ben Aranda. He'll enter his junior season with 5th & 4th place showings at Super Region V.
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| Elijah Almarinez Maryville 125 |
Only a freshman, Elijah Almarinez who 20 matches this season. One of which was a 4-2 decision over Ben Aranda. Another was a 7-5 win over Regional IV 3rd place finisher Bryce Humphries. He was 5th at Super Region IV.
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| Amir Wray-Hill Frostburg State 125 |
The sophomore actually had a losing record this year but showed a lot of promise at various times throughout the season. He actually defeated Nic Allison 11-4 at Regional 1, but while Allison qualified, Wray-Hill finished in 5th place.
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| Gavin Boland Millersville 125 |
Another tough sophomore, Gavin Boland finished one match shy of NCAA D3 qualification. On the year had an 8-6 decision over Regional 4 3rd place finisher 8-6.
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| Diego Camarillo New Mexico Highlands 125 |
16 wins on the year, Diego Camarillo had a 4-3 decision over Super Region V champ Sloan Johannson. Finished 6th at Super Region VI.
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| Kaden Kuenzi Lander 125 |
An NCAA DII qualifier last season, Kaden Kuenzi came up a bit short this season finishing 5th at Super Region V. Had a 4-2 win over Ben Aranda.
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| Jake Goodin Colorado School of Mines 125 |
The freshman actually pinned Quade Smith at the 5:48 mark at Regional 6, but with qualification on the line later in the tournament, Smith returned the favor. The Oklahoma high school state champ has three more seasons left to go.
Now for 133.....
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| #8 Jevin Foust Newman 133 |
With back-to-back Regional V finishes of 5th, the career of Jevin Foust comes to an end. Had a 20-12 major decision over Regional 1 3rd place finisher Brady Baker. The highlight of his season, making the Midwest Classic Finals.
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| #10 Aidan Sprague Indianapolis 133 |
In his first & only full time position as the Greyhounds starter, Aidan Sprague put together a pretty impressive senior season of wrestling. 4th at the Midwest Classic, he stuck Brady Baker in just 33 seconds & he also nearly majored Super Region III 3rd place finisher Jak Keller 8-1.
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| #14 Zach Klarcyk Vanguard 133 |
While the Lions of Vanguard have had some success at the NAIA level in recent years, they have yet to crown a NCAA Division II All-American in the recent era. Freshman Zach Klarcyk could soon change that. 20-4 on the season, he narrowly missed D2 qualification by one match.
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| Javien DeLeon Kutztown 133 |
5th-6th-4th at Super Region I, Javien DeLeon will be heading into '26-'27 one of the best 133 lbs'ers yet to make the D2 national tournament. Defeatd Brady Baker twice this season, once 5-0 & a 5:44 fall.
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| Caiden Pelc Newberry 133 |
A 2:08 fall over Regional 2 3rd place finisher Logan Robinson, Caiden Pelc was 5th at Regional II. Has one more season of college left.
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| Nate Knowlton Findlay 133 |
22 wins on the season, Nate Knowlton finished 6th at Super Region III. On the season a 20-5 technical fall over Super Region III champion Zach Parker & a 4-2 decision over Jak Keller. Knowlton has one more season to go.
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| Trace Ragland Fairmont State 133 |
Another wrestler with one more season to go, Trace Ragland was 5th at Super Region 1. Owned an 11-3 major over Super Region III champ Zach Parker.
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| Matt Chi UW-Parkside 133 |
Matt Chi. I mean what do you say about Matt Chi? Here's a guy that had one heck of a career, full of ups and downs. He lost his spot, earned it back, lost it & earned it back again. Every season it seemed he had significant wins & he'd finish close to being an NCAA DII qualifier. 4th-6th-4th at Super Region V. 81 career wins.
This year alone....
4-1 s.v. over JJ Armstrong the Super Region II runner-up
3-1 over Drew Stanfield the Super Region IV runner-up
11-2 over Chase Beckett the Super Region V runner-up
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| J.P. Homfeld Maryville 133 |
Another tough senior who came close but never did make the NCAA D2 national tournament. Had a 3-0 win over J.J. Armstrong on the year, finishing out with 6th & 4th place finishes the Super Region.
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| Rylen Campbell Ashland 133 |
The sophomore actually defeated Jak Keller 4-1 at Super Region III, but then lost the rematch to see who got to go & who didn't, ending up in 4th place.
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| Alex Fernandez King 133 |
Alex Fernandez joins Javien DeLeon as one who can call himself one of the best in '26-'27 yet to make the NCAA DII championships. Thus far the tornado has 5th & 4th place showings at Super Region II.
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| Tony Sagaris Lake Erie 133 |
An NCAA D2 qualifier last year & one match shy of All-American status, Tony Sagaris finished in 5th place at Super Region III this season.
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Now for 141 lbs!!
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| #7 Chad Ozias Pittsburgh-Johnstown 141 |
Unfortunately, even with a stellar season, it can all fall apart at the end in NCAA Division II wrestling. A match shy of being an NCAA D2 All-American last season, Chad Ozias came up short of placing at this year's Super Region I. Nevertheless, the Mountain cat did place 6th at the Midwest Classic.
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| #13 Eddie Bowman CSU-Pueblo 141 |
An NCAA DII qualifier last year as a freshman, Eddie Bowman unfortunately had a bad Super Region VI tournament & did not place. 17 wins on the year, he did have a 3-2 tiebreaker over Regional VI runner-up Kieran Thompson. A win over Super Region IV runner-up John Tyler, 7-6. He was also one match shy of being a Midwest Classic place-winner.
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| #14 Caleb Chaves Chadron State 141 |
Also an NCAA D2 qualifier in 2025, Caleb Chaves came up one match shy of ending his career as a two-time NCAA D2 qualifier. One the year, placed 7th at the Midwest Classic, with a 12-2 major decision over Super Region VI champ Kieran Thompson.
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| #15 Luke Koenen Augustana (SD) 141 |
25 wins on the season for the sophomore who finished 5th at Super Region V. 7-4 over Super Region IV runner-up John Taylor, he also defeated Super Region V champion Sean Solis 11-9.
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| #13 (133) Nick Cottone Millersville 141 |
Ranked at 133, Nick Cottone, an NCAA DII qualifier in 2025, finished 5th at Super Region I this season. 75 career wins in total. In '25-'26, a 4-0 shutout over Super Region I 3rd place finisher Joey Ortega.
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| Troy Dolphin UW-Parkside 141 |
A testimony to the depth of the Ranger wrestling program, Troy Dolphin ended his NCAA DII wrestling career one match short of the National tournament. On the year he stuck Elijah Lusk, Super Region II runner-up at the 2:41 mark & he also stuck Super Region IV champ James right at the 1:43 mark.
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| Kaden Brown Montevallo 141 |
The sophomore had 20 wins on the season, one of which included an 8-5 s.v. over Brayden Gibson who was 3rd at Super Region II.
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| Ashton Anderson Findlay 141 |
4th-5th-4th at Super Region III. Ashton Anderson came very close multiple times during his career as a Roughneck, but never did quite make NCAA D2 qualification. On the year tech'd Brayden Gibson 21-3.
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| Ben Hernandez Mount Olive 141 |
The sophomore is now 5th & 6th at Super Region II, as he also finished one match shy of being a Midwest Classic place-winner. Had a 5-1 win over Super Region III champion Khyvon Grace.
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| Cole Thomas Thomas More 141 |
4th at Super Region IV this year, Cole Thomas came up a bit short of NCAA DII qualification. As the Saints search for their first star in the D2 era, Thomas still has an opportunity to fill the position. 17-3 on the year, 5-3 & 1-0 wins over Super Region III 3rd place finisher Carsen Richards, Thomas has one year of eligibility remaining.
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| Cole McCullough Newberry 141 |
Cole McCullough is another who demonstrates just how tough it can be to place at a Super Region, let alone qualify for the NCAA DII tournament. The junior with one more season left to go, had a 7-1 decision over Super Region V runner-up Pedro Velasquez.
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| Krayle Stormer Northern State 141 |
Only a freshman, the Oregon State transfer obviously has a very successful career ahead of himself here in NCAA Division II. 23 wins on the season, he was 8th at the Midwest Classic & 6th at Super Region V. Had a 2-0 win over Super Region V 3rd place finisher Colton Hush.
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| Jordan Oeheme Sioux Falls 141 |
If you haven't figured it out by now, Super Region V was T-O-U-G-H. The former Southeast Community College standout came up a bit short of a top 6 showing this year, but I still believe he belongs on this list. Nearly majored Colton Hush 10-3.
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| Jace Luna St Cloud State 141 |
Like many Huskies before him, Jace Luna will have his day. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be in 2026. Finishing 5th at Super Region V, he manhandled Colton Hush twice this season. A 12-0 major decision & a 17-2 technical fall.
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| Apollo Cruz Colorado Mesa 141 |
Apollo Cruz actually had a losing record of 11-13 this year, finishing in 5th place at Super Region VI. What cannot be ignored however is the fact that he defeated Joe Airola 3rd at Region VI on two occasions. A 12-3 decision & a 7-5 decision.
