JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Adams State 2026-2027

 

The Grizzlies have a long & illustrious history of NCAA Division II wrestling. It's an overlooked fact & it's a shame that it is, but as to NCAA DII wrestling, the state of Colorado produces. You can go back to the days of legends like Chuck Jean, even further. Half a century later the white & green is still producing legends.  Some of which are now out of eligibility & others who will be returning for action in 2026-2027. 

Isaiah Gamez had an outstanding career for the Grizzlies 2nd-2nd-1st at Super Region VI, he was 4th-R12-5th in the D2 nation & 2nd-3rd at the Midwest Classic. 

Kiernan Thompson ended his career an NCAA D2 qualifier, with a 2nd place finish at Super Region VI

Angel Flores ended his career a two-time NCAA D2 All-American with finishes of 4th & 6th. 

Aden Valdez, a four-time Super Region VI champion & also a Midwest Classic Champion, puts himself in the category of one of the best to not make the NCAA Division II finals.  7th-3rd-3rd All American honors, 91 career wins. 

Ben Tonneson, an NCAA D2 qualifier for the Grizzlies, 3rd at Super Region VI. 

133
Jakob Romero

8th in the D2 nation a year ago, the two-time NCAA D2 qualifier heads into 2026-2027 with Super Region VI finishes of 3rd & 1st. 

165
Malachi Rider

22 wins on the season, Malachi Rider finished 2026 both one match shy of NCAA D2 qualification & one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic. He won the Yunes Hospitality. 

HWT
Jaylon Ignacio

11 wins on the year, Jaylon Ignacio was 6th at Super Region VI & 3rd at the Yunes Hospitality. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Ashland 2026-2027

 

I'd say the ups most certainly outweighed the downs, and the pros outnumbered the cons, but there were still a few negatives among many positives for the Eagles in 2025-2026.  As we look forward, we lose a couple of greats among the purple & gold, but we bring a lot back too. 

Nate Barrett, what a standout career he had for the Eagles.  1st-2nd-3rd-3rd at Super Region III, he earned 8th place All-American finishes in both his freshman & senior seasons. 

Sevi Garza, a three-time NCAA D2 qualifier with Super Region III finishes of 1st-3rd-3rd.  Made the Midwest Classic finals this season. 

Wyatt Bailey, an NCAA D2 qualifier as a junior & a hair away from qualification in both his sophomore & senior seasons.  Was 5th-3rd-4th at Super Region III.  Earned a 6th place finish at the Midwest Classic this year. 

125
Luke Acuna

Injuries lured their ugly head around a couple of different times this past year for Luke Acuna.  The two-time NCAA D2 qualifier went into Super Region III with 1st & 2nd place finishes, looking to make his third trip to the dance.  Unfortunately he'd have to default to 6th place.  73 career wins, he was 6th at the Midwest Classic as a freshman & will be looking for another placement there in 2027 as well.  3rd in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). 

133
Rylen Campbell

13 wins on the season, Rylen Campbell finished off '25-'26 one match shy of being an NCAA D2 qualifier. 

149 
Hayden Kuhn

The two-time NCAA D2 qualifier who has posted back-to-back Super Region III finishes of 3rd will be looking for All-American honors in his final season.  73 career wins, likely to hit that 100 mark as well.  A Midwest Classic runner-up, he won a G-MAC title as well as a Findlay Open title. 

165
Lance Overmyer

Lance Overmyer returns to the varsity lineup a NCAA D2 qualifier in 2025. 

184
Fletcher Rose

26 wins on the season, Fletcher Rose earned NCAA D2 qualification with a 2nd place finish at Super Region III.  A Pioneer Open Champion, he was 3rd in the G-MAC & one match shy of being a Midwest Classic Place-winner. 

197
Peyton Lemon

Peyton Lemon's sophomore season saw him finish a match shy of placement at the Midwest Classic & a match shy of NCAA D2 qualification at Super Region III.  He decided his junior season was going to go a lot different, and it sure did.  He placed 5th at the Midwest Classic & made the Super Region III finals.  Not to mention he won a G-MAC title.  65 career wins, not sure if he'll wrestle enough matches this season to get to the 100 mark, but it is doable.  Among the many other things that he's bound to accomplish in '26-'27. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Allen 2026-2027

 

No Super Region Place-winners for the Yellow-Jackets last season, but I do believe they have a returner very capable of a top 6 finish in 2027. 

174
Jerrell Baskins

The Georgia native won 11 matches for the Royal blue & gold last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Augustana (South Dakota) 2026-2027

 

The Vikings put 8 on the award stand at Super Region V last season & as we head into 2026-2027, I realize that they give me an opportunity to be able to talk about something that in the near future I may not get an opportunity to speak about if NCAA Division II adopts the five for five NCAA Division I plan. Augustana redshirted some very tough freshmen last year, and I'm anxious to see what they can do this season. 

Gone are....

Cael Larson, who ends his career with a 5th place showing at Super Region V

Coy Gunderson, a three-time Super Region V place winner who made the NCAA DII tournament in his final attempt.  5th-5th-1st at Super Region V. 

Max Ramberg, probably one of the best to never win a Super Region V title, but he did win an NCAA D2 title! 6th-4th-1st overall in the D2 nation with 98 career wins. 


Back....

141
Luke Koenen

25 wins on the season last year, Luke Koenen placed 5th at Super Region V

149
Nolan Ambrose

27 wins on the year, Nolan Ambrose was one match shy of being an NCAA D2 Qualifier.  He took 3rd place at both the Dakota Wesleyan Open & the Yunes Hospitality. 

149
Hudson Loges

We could be looking at a very competitive wrestle-off at 149 lbs, as Hudson Loges is coming off a redshirt season of 24-5. 

157
Kaden Nicolas

Another tough freshman coming off of redshirt, Kaden Nicolas went 21-3 on the year.  A runner-up at Dakota Wesleyan & a champion at Yunes Hospitality. 

165
Payton Handevidt

18 wins on the season, Payton Handevidt came up a bit short of a top 6 showing at Super Region V, but did win the Dakota Wesleyan Open. 

174
Gunner Mullen

Another tough freshman who redshirted this past season.  Gunner Mullen went 21-5, winning the Yunes Hospitality. 

HWT
Max Balow

Missing the NCAA D2 national tournament by one match in both '25 & '26, Max Balow will be looking to earn that qualification in 2027.  16 wins on the year, a Dakota Wesleyan runner-up. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Bluefield State 2026-2027

 

The Big Blue graduates two-time Super Region III place-winner Enrique Sanchez who took back-to-back 6th place finishes.  Two who didn't place last year, look to earn top 6 finishes in 2026-2027. 

125
Ryder Rhodes

21 wins on the season last year, Ryder Rhodes defeated Tommah Gummow 6-5 last season. 

165
Kairyn Hall

Kairyn Hall won 19 matches last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Belmont Abbey 2026-2027

 

Great year for the Crusaders as Belmont Abbey placed 8 at Super Region II & sent 6 to the NCAA D2 national championships.  The crimson & white return five, as we say farewell to those looking to conquer & rule beyond the mats of college. 

Luke Kunath had a great career for the Crusaders.  2nd & 1st at Super Region II, he was 8th in the D2 nation as a junior in 2025. 

Skyler Caban ended his career an NCAA D2 qualifier with a runner-up finish at Super Region II

Kyler Pickard goes out a two-time NCAA D2 qualifier with Super Region II finishes of 4th-2nd-2nd. 

125
Kyle Simpson

9 wins on the year, Kyle Simpson finished off '25-'26 one match shy of NCAA D2 qualification. 

133
Elijah Carrington

Great start in his first season of collegiate wrestling.  Elijah Carrington won 20 matches & finished as the Super Region II runner-up. 

141
Finn Buchanan

Finn Buchanan went 10-2 on the year, as a reserve for Luke Kunath

165
Austin Marry

Austin Marry placed 6th at Super Region II last season. 

174
Christian Arrington

13 wins on the season, Christian Arrington earned NCAA D2 qualification with a 3rd place finish at Super Region II

197
Caleb Moore

Caleb Moore won 25 matches last season in route to winning a Super Region II champion. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Cal Poly-Humboldt 2026-2027

 

With the rich history of the program, I think it is only a matter of time before Cal Poly Humboldt sees its glory days again.  I trust that Anthony Mancini can make things happen in Northern California. I just think it'll take time. 

141
Darrell Nanpuya

As for '26-'27, I think Mancini's first Super Region place-winner is going to be Darrell Nanpuya. He lost a tiebreaker to Eddie Bowman & a 2-1 decision to Caleb Chaves who finished one match shy of NCAA D2 qualification.  Nanpuya won 21 matches last year, won Mike Clock & finished as the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation runner-up. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Bridgeport 2026-2027

 

157
Matt Ryan

In their first season since reinstatement, the Purple Knights' first star was Matt Ryan.  The former Buffalo/Kent State rep, won 16 matches for Bridgeport last season.  He'll look to improve upon his Super Region I finish of 5th. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Central Missouri 2026-2027

 

A great year of Mule wrestling, which saw the entire time place top 6 at the always loaded Super Region IV, and 6 of the 10 place-winners also earn NCAA Division II qualification. Central Missouri does lose a few of their outstanding talents, but they also bring back 7, plus more. 

Gone are...

Gage Bernall, a two-time NCAA DII qualifier who finished off his career with a 3rd place showing at Super Region IV

Anthony Erickson, another two-time NCAA DII qualifier who finished off his career with a 3rd place showing at Super Region IV

Damon Ashworth, a staple for the black & cardinal the past three seasons. What a standout career this young man had.  A three-time Super Region IV runner-up, he finished 5th-4th-2nd in the D2 nation.

125
Karim Allal

 The former NJCAA standout for NEO, has proven himself a standout for Central Missouri in NCAA D2.  18 wins on the year, he was one match shy of D2 qualification & he won the Roger Denker. 

125
Peyton Shepherd

As Allal has his sights set on being an NCAA D2 qualifier this season, he'll first need to worry about keeping his position as the starter.  Peyton Shepherd is going to be hot on his trail.  A Kaufman-Brand champion in his own right, he took Allal into sudden victory at Roger Denker. 

133
Drew Stanfield

The former Missouri Tiger won 17 matches last season in route to NCAA D2 qualification with a 3rd place showing at Super Region IV. 

141
James Wright

5th-3rd-1st at Super Region IV, James Wright captured NCAA D2 All-American honors last season placing 8th.  He'll look to become a four-time Region Place-winner, a three-time D2 qualifier & a two-time All-American in 2027. 

141
Braeden Moore

As lofty as the goals are that James Wright has going into 2026-2027, he'll first want to concentrate on winning the spot once again, as Braeden Moore will look to challenge for it.  The two split officially last season, with Moore winning the first contest 4-2 & Wright winning the second 7-3. 

Trey Dillow
149

24 wins on the year, Trey Dillow won Roger Denker & finished 5th at Super Region IV. 

157
Ayden Dolt

21 wins on the season, Ayden Dolt was 5th at Super Region IV

197
Trey Brewer

6th at Super Region IV & a Kaufman-Brand champ, Trey Brewer won 14 matches last year. 

HWT
Torin Forsyth

A Roger Denker champion, Torin Forsyth won 22 matches last season, qualifying for the NCAA D2 championships winning the Super Region IV

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Central Oklahoma 2026-2027

 

NCAA DI has Iowa, Oklahoma State & Penn State.  NCAA Division III has Wartburg & Augsburg.  NAIA has Grand View.  Now opinions vary & subjectiveness is always at play, but when people think NCAA Division II wrestling, they think Central Oklahoma. It's a history of 9 NCAA D2 titles (not to mention 8 others during their time in the NAIA) and season after season of accomplishments both team & individual.  The extra H went 16-1 in duals last year, placing 3rd at the Midwest Classic, 1st at Super Region VI & 4th in the D2 nation. 

Whatever the Blue & Bronze has lost due to graduation/out of eligibility, they make up for in either backup or recruit.  

Gonna be another great year of Broncho wrestling. 

Gone are...

Jason Henschel a Super Region VI champion, who ended his career 3rd in the D2 nation

Gabe Johnson, who cemented his name among the list of all time greats not only for UCO, but in D2 wrestling period.  Four-time Super Region VI champion, he went 7th-1st-1st-1st in the D2 nation. 109 career wins.  

Bryce Dauphin, an NCAA D2 qualifier, 2nd at Super Region VI & 7th at the Midwest Classic

Hunter Jump, another great for Central Oklahoma.  A three-time Super Region VI champion, 3rd as a sophomore & 2nd as a senior in the D2 nation.  88 career wins. 

Branson Britten, who spent time at both Northern Colorado & Little Rock. Ends his carer both a Midwest Classic Champion & an NCAA D2 qualifier with a 3rd place showing at Super Region VI. 

Heart goes out to Dylan Lucas. 3rd at the 2022 NCAA D2 championships, health just refused to be on this guy's side.

Emmanuel Skillings was always a reliable hand, a guy that ended up not getting the nod at the end, but one that always showed up when called up. 

Who's back....

125
Eli Kirk

16-3 on the year, Eli Kirk won a Super Region IV title & finished 4th in the D2 nation. 

125
Guy Clevenger

There to push Kirk for the 125 lbs will be Guy Clevenger, who has won 42 matches thus far in his collegiate career. 

133
Easton Taylor

The former Pratt NJCAA standout went 14-1 on the year behind All-American Jason Henschel last season.

141
Josh Taylor

An NCAA D2 qualifier for the Broncho's last season, Josh Taylor finished 2nd at Super Region IV. 

149
Bam West

Bam West earned NCAA D2 qualification last year with a 3rd place showing at Super Region IV

149
Cole Mayfield

The Central Oklahoma 149 lbs wrestle-off is going to be one of the best ones in NCAA DII wrestling.  Redshirting last season, Cole Mayfield went 19-6, capturing 4th place at the Midwest Classic. 

157
Hayze Ivey

15-3 on the season, Hayze Ivey was one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic last year, as a reserve for three-time NCAA D2 champion Gabe Johnson. 

197
Garrett Wells

A two-time Super Region IV champion, with back-to-back 6th place showings in the D2 nation, the expectations for Garrett Wells were very high last season.  Yet the unthinkable happened & in one of the most shocking events of the season, Wells finished one match shy of NCAA D2 qualification. 85 career wins thus far, reaching that 100+ mark has a very high probability.  The other high probability is that Wells takes the example that Hunter Jump left him & repeats it, if not betters it by one.  Wells has also been 1st-3rd-3rd at the Midwest Classic thus far. 

HWT
Ryan Nichols

The former Oklahoma Sooner from Texas finished 6th at last year's Super Region IV. 

Judson Rowland
HWT

Anxious to see if Judson Rowland, who finished one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic will challenge Nichols for the starting position this year.