To my knowledge there is a ton of talent returning for the '25-'26 season at 125 lbs in the NAIA. Keep in mind that because of COVID-19 & these new eligibility rules, there may be even more. After all I know wrestlers that were listed as "Grad student" in '23, and yet they still had eligibility remaining in '25! How in the world that worked is a mystery that not even Ben Matlock could figure out. So with as much talent as I'm going to talk about today, there could be even MORE talent returning. I've come to learn that just because someone was listed as "SR" doesn't necessarily mean that they were.
 |
| Aden Reeves Grand View |
He may have wrestled for Albia in High School, but my little town of Sigourney, Iowa is still happy to claim Aden Reeves as one of their own. Been a lot of great wrestlers that have come out of Sigourney, but Aden Reeves is the first to call himself national champion. After finishing 3rd in the NAIA nation in '24, he won the NAIA title last year & looks to crown himself a two-time champion again this March. My Great Grandpa & Grandma Danels owned the home Aden lived in as a kid, in from 1989 to 1993. So there's a good chance that the living room that I used to sit and watch TV with my grandma in, is the same living room that Reeves watched TV in as a kid. "It's a small world" references never cease to amaze me. My Grandpa also dated his Great Aunt Bonnie for a period of 10 years as well. I'm of no relation to him whatsoever, but among those proud of what he's accomplished and will continue to accomplish, Sigourney's JT1Wrestle is one of them.
UPDATE: Reeves will be coaching this year.
 |
| Gabe Gonzalez Grand View |
'26 NAIA title is anything but a shoe-in for Reeves, and he is well aware of it. Among the vast and fierce competition, be it ironic that one of Reeves' most formidable opponents will be right in the Viking room with him. Gabe Gonzalez, a Friends Falcon Invitational champion & Grand View Open runner-up, fell to Reeves in both the Heart of American conference finals and the NAIA finals last season.
 |
| Brody Gee Saint Mary |
Entering his final season of competition, Brody Gee looks to become of the most decorated wrestlers in Spire history by the end of '25-'26. 7th in the nation as a sophomore in 2024, he finished a very impressive 3rd this past season. 2nd-1st-1st thus far in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), he's a three time Missouri Valley Invitational place-winner with finishes of 5th-1st-4th. He's also been 4th-2nd-4th at the Friends Falcon Invitational & the 6th-4th-4th at Doane Oppenheim.
 |
| Anthony Hughes Marian |
The Indianapolis native enters his final season of competition after placing 4th in the NAIA nation last year & taking 3rd place honors at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). He has also thus far been 3rd-2nd-4th at the Pepsi Patriot Open.
 |
| Vonn Fenn Southern Oregon |
One of the biggest surprises of last year's NAIA national tournament, Vonn Fenn returns after capturing a 5th place All American finish. He was 4th in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). Anxious to see what the Outdoor Adventure leadership major has in store for this season. I also want to know exactly what Outdoor Adventure leadership all entails!
 |
| Allen Calderon Indiana Tech |
Only a junior and already a two-time NAIA All American with back to back 6th place finishes. Also a two-time WHAC runner-up, Allen Calderon will look to contend for the conference title this season. Add in the fact that he's also a returning Missouri Valley Invitational champion.
 |
| Angel Banda Reinhardt |
An 8th place NAIA All American last season, Banda heads into '25-'26 with AAC finishes of 4th-2nd-1st & he was the Doane Oppenheim Champion last year.
 |
| Ernest Grant York (NEB) |
The Bakersfield, California native was one match shy of earning NAIA All American honors last season as a freshman.
 |
| Matteo Vargo Cumberlands |
A Mid South Conference (MSC) champion this past season, Matteo Vargo is another NAIA R12'er who returns to action in '25-'26.
 |
| Ja'Marcus Smith Cleary |
A match shy of placing at both the NAIA national championships & the Missouri Valley Invitational, Ja'Marcus Smith will look to earn medals at both prestigious tournaments this season. He was 5th at the WHAC & 6th at the Pepsi Patriot Open.
 |
| Tyler Hisey Indiana Tech |
An NAIA qualifier this past season for the Warriors, Tyler Hisey was also 5th at the Pepsi Patriot Open.
 |
| Kobi Johnson Providence |
Kobi Johnson made the finals of the AAC this past season.
 |
| Garrett Johnson Oklahoma City |
Oklahoma City made history last season by not only crowning the first (Cade Manion) but also the second (Keegan Luton) four-time American Midwest Conference/Sooner Athletic Conference (AMC/SAC) champion last year. Only a sophomore, Garrett Johnson won a title last year as a freshman. Perhaps he too will one day be an AMC/SAC four-timer. Looking to win title #2 this year.
 |
| Robert Albert Missouri Valley |
The Florida native placed 4th last season at the Heart of America for the Vikings.
 |
| Clemente Delgado Graceland |
The Arizona native earned NAIA qualification for the Yellowjackets last season.
 |
| Jeff Bailey Cornerstone |
Jeff Bailey heads into his senior season having thus far posted back to back 4th place finishes within the WHAC.
 |
| Landon Smith Embry Riddle |
The Alaskan native had himself a solid season last year winning titles at the Mile High Open & at the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). He was also a runner-up at the Friends Falcon Invitational.
 |
| Jackson Eylar Eastern Oregon |
The Mountaineer earned NAIA qualification last season with a 5th place showing at the AAC.
 |
| Saoul Prado Baker |
A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Saoul Prado was 5th at the HOA & 7th at the Missouri Valley Invitational last season.
 |
| Kolton Powers Montana State Northern |
The two-time Wyoming high school state finalist collected bronze medals at both the AAC & the Missouri Valley Invitational this past season.
 |
| Jose Gonzalez Dickinson State |
2nd & 3rd thus far in the HOA, Jose Gonzalez was 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
 |
| Brian Peck Doane |
Only a sophomore, Brian Peck made the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) finals last season as a freshman.
 |
| Conner Hueck St. Thomas |
Conner Hueck has thus far been 4th & 3rd in the AAC, as well as 6th in the Missouri Valley Invitational.
 |
| Leland Camp Reinhardt |
Another tough freshman from last season, Leland Camp was a runner-up at the AAC, and champion at the Doane Oppenheim Invitational.
 |
| Dante Rigal Briar Cliff |
Son of a Cuban Olympian, Dante Rigal has thus far collected back to back 3rd place GPAC showings during his career as a Charger.
 |
| Truth Vesey Cumberland |
A native of Rock Island, Illinois, Truth Vesey was 4th at the MSC last season & one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
 |
| Allen Hendricks Embry Ridle |
A two-time NAIA national qualifier, Allen Hendricks won the Mile High Open last season & finished 3rd at the Friends Falcon Invitational.
 |
| Brodie Christmas Southeastern |
The Alaskan native finished one win shy of collecting a top 8 finish at last year's Missouri Valley Invitational.
No comments:
Post a Comment