First off, a huge thank you to Britt "The Seton Hall Pirate" Malinsky for the years and years of hard work he did providing us with the best upcoming duals & tournaments season after season. He has decided not to do this anymore & I can understand why. It's a LOT of work.
I've done my best to compile all of the best tournaments (Invites/Opens) for the season. I know I'm probably missing some. Feel free to fill in the blanks. This is what I have thus far.
NJCAA
Sat Nov 7th - Viking Open (Hosted by Carl Albert State)
Sat Nov 7th - Yellow Jacket Open (Hosted by Rochester Tech)
Sun Nov 22nd - Spokane Open (Hosted by North Idaho)
Sun Dec 6th - Clackamas Open
Sun Dec 13th - Art Kraft Memorial (Hosted by Triton)
No Word yet on the Battle of the Helmet (Hosted by NIACC) or the Golden Norsemen (hosted by NEO)
As to the Qualifiers....
Not much is out yet, but I know that the North Central District will be hosted by Iowa Central, the South Central District will be hosted by NEO & the Plains District will be hosted by Northeastern CC.
NAIA
Sat Oct 31st - Friends Falcon Invitational
Sat Oct 31st - Pepsi Patriot Open (Hosted by Cumberlands)
Sat Nov 7th - Dakota Wesleyan Open
Sat Nov 7th - Georgia Open (Hosted by Life)
Sat Nov 14th - Grand View Open
Sat Nov 21st - Lucha Open (Hosted by Life)
Sat Dec 5th - Oppenheim Open (Hosted by Doane)
Fri Jan 22nd-Sat Jan 23rd - The Missouri Valley Invitational
*NOTE* - I don't believe Embry Riddle will host the Mile High Open this year.
As to the Qualifiers....
No word on Sooner Athletic Conference yet. I don't even know if we're going to have a Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament this year.
Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference will be held on Sat Feb 13th, hosted by Defiance.
Mid South Conference will be on Thursday Feb 18th & held in Bowling Green, Kentucky
All of the following will be held on Fri Feb 19th & Sat Feb 20th...
Heart of America - William Penn
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference - Friends
Cascade Collegiate Conference - Embry-Riddle
Great Plains Athletic Conference - Held in Sioux City, not sure if Briar Cliff or Morningside or a co-host
Southern States Athletic Conference - Held in Montgomery, Alabama.
NCAA Division III
Sun Nov 1st - Luther Hill Open (Hosted by Simpson)
Sat Nov 7th - Pointer Open (Hosted by UW-Stevens Point)
Sat Nov 7th - Messiah Invite
Sat Nov 7th - Ned McGinley Invite (Hosted by Wilkes)
Sat Nov 7th - Mount Union Invitational
Sat Nov 7th - Trine Open
Sat Nov 7th - Muskie Scramble (Hosted by Lakeland)
Fri Nov 6th-Sat Nov 7th - Ithaca Invitational
Sat Nov 14th - Racich Rumble (Hosted by Ursinus)
Sat Nov 14th - Millikin Invite
Sat Nov 14th - Bob Del Rosa Open (Hosted by CWRU)
Sat Nov 14th - Luther Open
Sat Nov 14th - Roger Williams Invite
Sat Nov 21st - Wilkes Invitational
Sat Nov 21st - The New York States (not sure who is hosting this year)
Sat Nov 21st - Concordia-Wisconsin Invite
Sat Nov 21st - Baldwin Wallace Invite
Sat Nov 21st - Doug Parker Invite (hosted by Springfield)
Sat Nov 21st - Coe Invitational
Sat Nov 21st - Augsburg Invitational
Sun Nov 22nd - Keystone Classic
Fri Dec 4th-Sat Dec 5th - Petrofes (Hosted by Messiah)
Sat Dec 5th-Sun Dec 6th - New Standard (Hosted by York (PA)
Sat Dec 5th - Ted Reese Invite (Hosted by Southern Maine)
Sat Dec 5th - R.I.T. Invite
Sat Dec 5th - Milwaukee School of Engineering Invite
Sat Dec 5th - Blue Jay Classic (Hosted by Elizabethtown)
Sat Dec 5th - Ohio Northern Invite
Sat Dec 12th - North Central Invitational
Sat Jan 2nd - Under Armour Invite) - (Hosted by Central)
Sat Jan 2nd - Jim Crytzer Open (Hosted by Washington & Lee)
Sun Jan 3rd - Williams Open
Sun Jan 10th - Mat Cat Open (Hosted by Linfield)
Sat Jan 16th - Spartan Mat Classic (Hosted by Manchester)
Sat Jan 16th - Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (Not sure on host)
Sat Jan 16th - Cliff Keen Mike Duroe (Hosted by Cornell)
Sat Jan 23rd - SUNY-Athletic Conference (Not sure on host)
Fri Jan 29th-Sat Jan 30th - Pete Wilson Invite (Hosted by Wheaton)
Sat Jan 30th - Loras Open
Sat Feb 6th - John Summa Invite (Hosted Baldwin Wallace)
Sat Feb 6th - Don Parker Open (Hosted by UW-Eau Claire)
Sat Feb 13th - Midstates Invite (Not sure on host)
Sat Feb 13th - Centennial Conference (Not sure on host)
Sat Feb 13th - Old Dominion Athletic Conference (Not sure on host)
Sat Feb 13th - Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (Hosted by UW-La Crosse)
Sat Feb 13th - Collegiate Conference of Illinois/Wisconsin (Hosted by Augustana (ILL) )
**Note** - Little States & Scott Viera, no info yet
As to the Qualifiers....
Not sure on R4 or R7 yet...
R1 will be hosted by Springfield
R2 Will be hosted by either Lycoming or Penn Tech
R3 will be hosted by York (PA)
R5 Will be hosted by Wabash
R6 Will be hosted by either Loras or Dubuque
NCAA Division II
Sun Nov 1st - Pioneer Open (Hosted by Glenville State)
Sun Nov 7th - Menlo Open
Sun Nov 1st - East Stroudsburg Open
Sun Nov 7th - P.J. Smith Classic (Hosted by UNC-Pembroke)
Sun Nov 15th - Drury Open
Sun Nov 15th - King Open
Sun Nov 21st - Shorty Hitchcock Invite (Hosted by Millersville)
Sun Nov 21st - Yunes Hospitality Invite (Hosted by Nebraska-Kearney)
Sat Dec 5th - Jim Koch Open (Hosted by UW-Parkside)
Sat Dec 6th - Bob Smith Open (Hosted by Fort Hays State)
Sat Dec 5th - Dragon Open (Hosted by Minnesota State Moorhead)
Sat Dec 19th-Sun Dec 20th - Midwest Classic (Hosted by Indianapolis)
Sat Jan 2nd - Fairmont State Open
Fri Jan 8th - Western Colorado State Open
Sun Jan 17th - Denker Open (Hosted by Central Missouri Open)
Sun Jan 30th - Great-Midwest Athletic Conference (Not sure on host)
Fri Dec 11th - Mountain East Conference (Not sure on host)
As to Qualifiers....
All will be held on Sat Feb 27th
SR1 - Hosted by Millersville
SR2 - Hosted by Montevallo
SR3 - Hosted by Grand Valley State
SR4 - Hosted by Indianapolis
SR5 - Hosted by Northern State
SR6 - Hosted by Nebraska-Kearney
NCAA Division I
Sun Nov 8th - Princeton Open
Sun Nov 1st - Southeast Open (Hosted by Virginia Tech)
Sun Nov 1st - Navy Classic
Sun Nov 1st - Clarion Open
Sun Nov 8th - Daktronics (Hosted by South Dakota State)
Sun Nov 22nd - Big Red Invite (Hosted by Cornell)
Sun Nov 29th - Mat Town I (Hosted by Lock Haven)
Fri Dec 4th - Sat Dec 5th - Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational
Sun Dec 6th - Cougar Clash (Hosted by SIUE)
Mon Dec 21st - RENO
Tue Dec 29th - Wed Dec 30th - The Midlands (Hosted by Northwestern)
Sat Jan 2nd-Sun Jan 3rd - The Soldier Salute (Hosted by Iowa)
Fri Jan 8th - Lehman Open (Hosted by Franklin & Marshall)
**NOTE** - I don't think we're getting a Bison Open This year
**NOTE** - No word on Cyclone Invite, Michigan State Open, Black Knight Open, Better Way, Kent State Holiday Classic
As to Qualifiers...
I know that BIG 10's is Ohio State, SOCON will be hosted in Ashville, North Carolina, PAC-12's will be Little Rock & EIWA will be Army.
No word on other conferences yet, although I'm pretty sure BIG 12's is still Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Monday, September 14, 2026
College Wrestling Tournaments (Invites/Opens) '26-'27 NJCAA, NAIA, NCAA D3, NCAA D2, NCAA D1
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Millikin 2026-2027
The Blue Blue put 8 on the award stand at Regional V last year, as they lose half to graduation & return half for action in '26-'27.
Gone are...
2025 NCAA D3 qualifier Leno Campbell, who finished 5th at Regional V this season & won a Collegiate Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin title (CCIW)
Sabri Sino who was 5th at Regional V
Chase Mirelez who was 5th & 6th the past two Regional V's.
Joey Jens, who I would certainly consider to be one of the best in moder times to not make the NCAA D3 tournament. 91 career wins, he came close the past two year's going 5th & 4th at Regional V.
 |
| 133 Charlie Armstrong |
The Florida native won 22 matches for the Big Blue last season, finishing 6th at Regional V.
 |
| 157 Mike Hutchison |
Another 22 match winner, Mike Hutchison was 6th at Regional V.
 |
| 174 Kody Marscher |
The Southwestern Minnesota State transfer put together a 23-8 record last season for the white & bleu. 6th at Regional V, he won the Coe Invitational, taking 3rd at both the Millikin Open & the CCIW.
 |
| 197 Mateo Casillas |
An NCAA D3 qualifier last year for the Big Blue, Mateo Casillas took a 3rd place showing at Regional V. 30-6 on the year, he won titles at both Millikin & the CCIW.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Messiah 2026-2027
Anyone, anytime, anywhere, any place. I think that pretty much sums up Messiah Wrestling. These guys wrestle as often as they can, taking on all challengers & backing down from no one. We saw a handful of Falcons close out some outstanding careers, as 5 of the returning 10 Regional III place-winners return for action in '26-'27.
Two-time NCAA D3 qualifier Zach Needles closed out his career with 94 career victories. A two-time Pete Willson Invitational place-winner with finishes of 3rd & 7th.
Austin Brass won 97 victories in his career. An NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, he missed a second qualification by one match this year. 6th at Pete Willson as a junior. A three-time NWCA Academic All-American.
Noah Rice, 85 career wins & one match from D3 qualification himself. 3rd at the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).
Caiden Heller, 74 career wins, with back-to-back 5th place showings at Regional III. 3rd at the MAC.
Clay Gainer, 85 career wins.
 |
| 141 Jake Cunningham |
34 wins on the season, Jake Cunningham was 6th at Both Regional III & Pete Willson. 3rd at Petrofes.
 |
| 141 Shawn Quirk |
Anxious to see if the Falcons might move some weights around for the simple fact that I think they're better with Shawn Quirk in the lineup, than they are without. A Messiah Invite runner-up, he was one match from D3 Qualification in 2025.
 |
| 149 Levi Snyder |
7th at Regional III, Levi Snyder won 22 matches. A Ken Ober runner-up, he was 3rd at MAC.
 |
| 149 Dalton Monger |
Again, more reason to think the weights will look different in '26-'27. 33 wins on the season, Dalton Monger heads into the new year looking to become a three-time Pete Willson Invitational place-winner. 6th-3rd-5th, thus far. A Racich Rumbel champion, he was 3rd at Petrofes.
 |
| 165 Keegan DeMarest |
51-2 on the year. Just blows my mind that he wrestled that many matches, let alone won over 50 of them in a single season. He has but one thing to figure out this season & that is UW-La Crosse's Tanner Gerber. Of those 51 wins, 2 were via decision. The other 49? Majors, techs and falls. A Regional III champ, he was 3rd in the D3 nation. 5th & 2nd thus far at Pete Wilson, this guy is collecting gold like a leprechaun. Titles at Messiah, Racich Rumble, Petrofes & MAC.
 |
| 197 Tucker Seidel |
40 wins on the year, Tucker Seidel was 5th at Regional III. 8th at Pete Willson & 3rd at Messiah, champ of both Racich Rumble & Petrofes.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Manchester 2026-2027
7 returning Regional V place-winners, all upper classmen, I look for '26-'27 to be a very successful & rewarding season for Spartan wrestling.
 |
| 125 Mason Jones |
4th in the D3 Nation, Mason Jones leads the black & gold into the new year. 28-5 on the year, he was the Regional V runner-up, winning titles at Baldwin Wallace & the Mid-State Invitational. 3rd at both the Pointer Open & Trine.
 |
| 133 Adrian Origel |
13 wins on the season, Adrian Origel was 7th at Regional V & 2nd at Trine.
 |
| 141 Mike Kallimani |
Mike Kallimani enters his senior season having posted back-to-back 8th place Regional V finishes. 20 wins on the season, he won the Baldwin Wallace Invite, taking runner-up honors as the Little States.
 |
| 149 Brody Arthur |
7th at Regional V, Brody Arthur won 24 matches last year. A Mid-State Invite champ, he was 3rd at Baldwin Wallace.
 |
| 174 Mitchell Betz |
26 wins on the year for Mitchell Betz. 7th at Regional V, he was 2nd at Trine & 3rd at Baldwin Wallace.
 |
| 184 Ethan Risner |
13 wins on the year for Ethan Risner, who was 8th at Regional V.
 |
| 197 Cam Crisp |
Cam Crisp enters his junior season having posted back-to-back 5th place finishes at Regional V. 22 wins on the season, he was the Baldwin Wallace Invitational champion.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Maine Maritime 2026-2027
 |
| 184 Kyle Stickel |
Look for Kyle Stickel to contend for Regional place-winner honors this season.
Friday, September 11, 2026
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lynchburg 2026-2027
As always, whenever the college wrestling world gets a new program, JT1Wrestle is excited. Not much is known about Hornet wrestling as of the time this was written, but I do know that Vinny Barber made a really good choice by bring Trung Duong onboard. The two-time NCAA D2 All-American for Newberry will be a great addition to the coaching staff.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At United States Merchant Marine Academy 2026-2027
Let me be frank. I think it is fair to say that the USMMA did not have the Regional III they were capable of having last season. In my opinion, and I think Coach Beau Bruno would agree, the two place-winners they did have could have placed higher & there were three others would did not place, who should have. In my opinion there's no reason at all why the Mariners shouldn't have at least five Regional III place-winners in '26-'27.
USMMA brings back a lot of solid talent this year. They do lose Wes Wydick though, a two-time Centennial Collegiate Conference (CCC) champion.
 |
| 165 Viviano Gutierrez |
I was really shocked when Viviano Gutierrez didn't make top 8 at Regional III last season, considering how well he competed at other points during the year. The California native had 16 wins on season, including a huge 12-4 major decision over '25 D3 qualifier Mark Troni. Champion at both the New York States & the CCC, he was 5th at the New Standard. Only a sophomore, very confident he'll turn out a three-time Regional III place-winner, and very capable of D3 qualification.
 |
| 174 Andrew Huesgen |
Andrew Huesgen is yet another tough freshman from last season that I was surprised to see not make top 8 at Regional III. Winning 20 matches on the year, he was 3rd at the New York States & 5th at New Standard.
 |
| 184 Max Corrall |
Yet another Mariner who did not make the top 8 at Regional III last year, who I'm very confident will be a place-winner in 2027. A New York States runner-up, among his wins in '25-'26, he defeated D3 qualifier Carson LiCastri 10-7 s.v.
 |
| 197 Tyler Withers |
6th at Regional III last season, Tyler Withers was a CCC champion.
 |
| HWT Grant Mathias |
3rd at Ned McGinley, Grant Mathias was also 6th at Regional III last year.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At McDaniel 2026-2027
2025-2026 was an historical year for the Green Terror as they saw the greatest wrestler in McDaniel's history close out his legendary career. The first thing I'll say about Thomas Monn was how much fun he was to watch. Wrestling can be an exciting sport when wrestlers go after it, take risks & hit some big moves. That's the exact style Monn wrestled. The first three-time NCAA D3 All-American in school history with finishes of 6th-5th-3rd. At Regional III, his only hiccup was in his sophomore season (when he finished 4th) as he won titles in his freshman, junior & senior years. 144 career wins & a four-time Centennial Collegiate Conference (CCC) champion.
Who will be the next legend for McDaniel wrestling?
 |
| 125 Isaiah Brewster |
Isaiah Brewster was 8th at Regional III
 |
| 174 Alex Taylor |
24 victories on the season for Alex Taylor who was 8th at Regional III.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Marymount 2026-2027
Still a relatively young program, Marymount heads into its fifth season of competition looking to crown their first NCAA Division III qualifier, and it is likely they achieve that goal.
 |
| 165 Tallion Elliott |
6th at Regional III as a sophomore & one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier a year ago as a junior, Tallion Elliott is in a great position this year to end his career as the Saints first qualifier. Won 26 matches last year & finished 3rd at New Standard.
 |
| 197 Mo Fofana |
Right there with Elliott will be Mo Fafana, who has thus far placed 5th & 7th at Regional III. 28 wins on the season, he was 5th at New Standard.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lyon 2026-2027
It's taking time for the Scots to adjust to the transition. NAIA for years & then a short amount of time in the NCWA, last year was Lyon's first in NCAA Division III. This is a team that has had success in the past and will again.
 |
| 197 Eli Lupton |
If there's anyone on the Scots' lineup capable of being their first star at the NCAA Division III level, it is Eli Lupton. The Arkansas native was the highlight of their first season in D3 last year. 3rd at the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Lycoming 2026-2027
The Warriors put six on the award stand at Regionals last season, sending three to the NCAA D3 national tournament. Four return for action in '26-'27.
93 career wins, it was rewarding to see Eli Crum make the NCAA D3 national tournament in his final season of competition. He finished one match shy of qualification as a junior & it was very cool to see him win that go-to match this year as a senior.
The Warriors also say farewell to Mike Sipps who took 6th at Regional II.
 |
| 133 Bobby Gardner |
Like Eli Crum, Bobby Gardner finished his junior season one match shy of being an NCAA D3 qualifier. Also, like Eli Crum, Bobby Gardner looks to make the national tournament in his final season as a Warrior.
 |
| 165 Kaiden Wagner |
Two-time Regional II champion Kaiden Wagner looks to win his third title this season & compete for NCAA Division III All-American honors. A Washington & Jefferson champion last year, he was second at the Lycoming Invite.
 |
| 174 Nolan Ziegler |
Two-time Regional II runner-up Nolan Ziegler looks to contend for a title this season as well as NCAA D3 All-American honors. A Lycoming Invite champ last year.
 |
| 197 Ivan Neal |
In the same boat as is Bobby Gardner. Finished one match shy of calling himself an NCAA D3 qualifier last season & could very well end up giving Lycoming another headed to La Crosse come the post season.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Luther 2026-2027
'26-'27 may end up being a rebuilding year for the Norsemen as '25-'26 was a stellar, standout season of Luther wrestling mainly due to some talented & dedicated seniors who put together some great careers for the white & blue.
Clayton McDonough, what an outstanding career this guy had. To think if not for injuries, how much better it might have been. 3rd-3rd-2nd at Regional VI, he was 4th-8th-6th in the D3 nation. 133 wins over the course of his career. 46 were this year! On top of it, he 35 pins, this year! What a fun & memorable career.
Bryce McDonough, what an end to his story. 5th-4th-5th in Regional VI, I'm sure he was getting sick of seeing his name on JT1Wrestle's "Best to Not qualify" list. This year he finally breaks through with a 2nd place showing at Regional VI & not only that, he caps off his career by becoming an NCAA D3 finalist! 103 career wins.
Connor Kidd, two-time Regional VI finalist, winning a title this year & an 8th place D3 All-American in 2025. 80 career wins.
Ben Strehlow, an NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, Regional VI finishes of 3rd & 5th.
Peter Hollingshead, 7th at Regional VI.
I know good and well that Luther is going to have some great recruits coming in & some wrestlers who haven't yet, but will step up into those roles this season. However, that is an ocean's worth of talent to replace.
 |
| 141 Mateo Ochoa |
The California native won 22 matches last season, finishing 7th at Regional VI & winning the Muskie Scramble.
 |
| 184 Griffin Schultz |
6th at Regional VI last year, Griffin Schultz was a runner-up at the Muskie Scramble.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Linfield 2026-2027
The Wildcats put two on the award stand at Regional VII last season, as they lose one & they return one. Gone is Jake Moore who placed 5th.
 |
| 184 Ethan Ensrud |
7th at Regional VII, Ethan Ensrud won the Spokane Open & finished 4th at the Mat Cat Open. 20 wins on the season.
JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At King's (Pennsylvania) 2026-2027
 |
| 157 M.J. Turi |
M.J. Turi was the star of the Monarch's in '25-'26 & he once again looks to be the star in '26-'27. 21 wins on the season he was 7th at Regional III & 4th at the Middle Atlantic Conference. Getting it done in the classroom too, he was an NWCA Academic All-American.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
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.
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