Thursday, June 5, 2025

2025-2026 NAIA Preview - 165 lbs

 



Cam Robinson
Grand View

What a year for the Viking, as Cam Robinson won titles at the Oppenheim Open, the Heart of America (HOA) & the NAIA national tournament. 

Jonathan Kervin
Indiana Tech

The two-time Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) champion was an NAIA national champion in 2024, but took runner-up honors this past season.  He'll be among those looking to knock Cam Robinson off his throne. 

Dylan Whitt
Grand View

It seems Grand View has multiple studs at each weight class & 165 lbs is no exception.  5th in the NAIA nation last season, Dylan Whitt has HOA finishes of 1st & 2nd.  He's also been 1st-3rd-2nd in the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational.  A runner-up at the Friends Falcon Invite as well. 

Reese Jones
Life

Jones was 4th in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) & 8th in the NAIA nationals. 

Travis Waldner
Montana State Northern

The former North Idaho Cardinal finished off his time in the NJCAA just shy of All American honors & ironically enough he finished off his junior season in the NAIA the same way.  3rd in the Cascade Collegiate Conferecne (CCC), Waldner was 5th in the Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Nate Napolitano
Reinhardt

The Florida native was 5th in the AAC & 4th at the Pepsi Patriot Open a year ago. 

Bridger Hall
Providence 

6th at last year's Missouri Valley Invitational, Bridger Hall has thus far been 5th-3rd-2nd in the CCC. 

Blaze Sumiye
Providence

Also skilled in the art of Judo, Blaze Sumiye was 4th in the CCC & one match shy of Missouri Valley Invitational place-winner status in '24-'25. 

Blaine Christo
Morningside

The Omaha, Nebraska native won the Great Plaines Athletic Conference (GPAC) title this past season. 

Juan Lopez
Graceland

The former CCCAA rep of Mt. San Antonio, Juan Lopez was 5th in the GPAC last season. 

Mike Ager
Saint Mary

The Tacoma, Washington native won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) title last year. 

Weston Melvin
Cumberlands

Weston Melvin heads into his senior season of competition having posted back-to-back 3rd place finishes at the Mid-South Conference (MSC) the past two years.  He was also 3rd at the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Jastin Kubwimana
Campbellsville

Jastin Kubwimana won the Pepsi Patriot Open & finished 4th in the MSC last season. 

Ethan Gomez
Cumberland

A native of Florida, Ethan Gomez was 6th in the MSC a year ago. 


Jovon Mitchell
Grand View

It's a shame that the NAIA doesn't allow three wrestlers per weight class to compete in the post-season, because even though we already have Cam Robinson & Dylan Whitt, Jovon Mitchell is one heck of a talent in his own right.  We're looking at the winner of last year's Missouri Valley Invitational.  It'll never cease to amaze me how much top talent GVU has. 

William Schwertscharf
Simpson (CA)


Starting his collegiate career off in the CCCAA competing for Modesto Community College, William Schwertscharf took 7th place honors at last year's Missouri Valley Invitational. 

Brendan Parks
Missouri Valley

Brendan Parks was one match shy of earning Missouri Valley Invitational placement honors last season. 


































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