JT1Wrestle College Wrestling : 2025-2026 NAIA Preview

Tate Picklo
Oklahoma City

Get used to it my friends, because this is the way of the future. With the new rules and regulations of NCAA Division I wrestling, we are going to see more and more DI caliber wrestlers moving into NAIA, D2 & D3 as the years go on. It's quietly changing the landscape of collegiate wrestling in a very large way. Tate Picklo is a 2023 NCAA DI qualifier for Oklahoma, who has placed 4th & 3rd the past two Southern Scuffles. He'll make an immediate impact here in the NAIA.

Kris Ketchum
St Thomas

The former Nassau Community College standout who finished 3rd & 2nd in the NJCAA, had no problem at all adjusting to the ranks of the NAIA last season as he won the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational, as well as the Friends Falcon Invitational, while finishing runner-up at both the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) & the NAIA championships.

Shad Slone
Campbellsville

7th-6th-3rd thus far in the NAIA nation, Shad Slone will look to achieve the rare accomplishment of four-time All American by the end of this upcoming March. The Ohio native won the Mid-South Conference (MSC) title last season as well.

Daniil Gorshkov
Embry-Riddle

The Russian, earned NAIA All-American honors of 4th place last season, as he has been 3rd & 1st thus far in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). He has also been 5th-2nd-1st thus far in the Mile High Open.

Francis Morrissey
Missouri Valley

It's been a wild ride for Francis Morrissey. From Appalachian State to Life to Ottawa, he ended up at Missouri Valley last season & as far as I know he's looking to end his collegiate career as a Viking. 7th & 6th thus far in the NAIA nation, Morrissey will look to end his career as a two-time All American. Last year he was 3rd in the Heart of America (HOA) & 2nd at the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational.

Roman Garcia
Central Methodist

Only a junior and the Floridan is already looking to become a three-time All American with finishes of 5th & 7th thus far. He was also an HOA finalist last year as well.

Leo Galasso
Indiana Tech

Among the strong talent yet to All American at the NAIA level, count Leo Galasso among the top. R12 at both the NAIA championships & the Missouri Valley Invitational last season, Galasso won the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

Abel Nava Jr
Providence

Here's a guy I would definitely watch out for this season. 3rd in the NAIA nation in '24, Abel Nava came up one match shy of All American honors this past season. On top of being a two-time CCC runner-up, Nava is also looking to become a rare four-time Missouri Valley Invitational place-winner with finishes of 3rd-1st-6th thus far.

Alex Couto
Life

Another tough wrestler who was one match shy of NAIA All American honors last season, Alex Couto was 3rd in the AAC.

Braylin Ruchti
Southern Oregon

5th-2nd-3rd-2nd in the Oregon High School state championships, I believe Braylin Ruchti makes a case for a damn tough wrestler who never won an Oregon High School state title. 3rd in the CCC last year as a freshman.

Benedict Holthaus
Friends

Another tough freshman from last season, Benedict Holthaus won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) title last year. A native of Utah.

Chris Griggs
Benedictine

The Alabama native was 4th in the HOA last year as a freshman.

Nolan Saale
St Mary

Nolan Saale was a KCAC finalist last season.

Julius Polk
Rochester Christian

Polk earned WHAC runner-up honors last season & 4th place at the Pepsi Patriot Open.

Justin McCunn
Grand View

One of the many Universal Soldiers that Grand View has among their lineup, Justin McCunn has thus far been 2nd & 8th in the Missouri Valley Invitational. An Oppenheim champion last year, he was also 3rd at the Friends Falcon Invite.