Monday, July 21, 2025

2025-2026 NJCAA Preview - Plains District

 



Western Wyoming


Plains District champions, the Mustangs of Western Wyoming qualified all 10 of their varsity starters this past season & 8 of the 10 are back to once again do battle in '25-'26.  Sefton Douglas, the NJCAA runner-up at 125 lbs is heading to Cheyenne to be a Cowboy.   With Jore Volk's transfer to Minnesota, he should fit in nicely as Wyoming's starter.   Not sure where NJCAA Champ Dmarian Lopez will end up.  Also 3rd in the NJCAA in 2024, he captured a very impressive 4th place finish at RENO last season.  I'd like to think he'll continue his wrestling career, but haven't heard anything yet. 

133 - Zach Marrero won a Plains District title this past season & captured a 7th place finish at the NJCAA championships. Already a PAN-AMERICAN bronze medalist for Puerto Rico, I'm anxious to see how his collegiate career, as well as his international career develops. 

141 - Dmitri Alarcon won an extremely exciting 9-8 match over Cesar Avelar at the RENO tournament of champions in the 3rd place match.  He went on to win a Plains District title & finished 2nd in the NJCAA nation. 

149 - Tommy Dalton took runner-up honors last season at both the Plains District & in the NJCAA. 

157 - Hixon Canto was a Plains District champion & finished 6th in the NJCAA nation. 

165 - Banks Norby won a Plains District title & scored an impressive 4-3 victory over Asa Fayzullaev who eventually finished 2nd in the NJCAA nation.  Norby unfortunately came up one match short of All American honors himself. 

174 - Sam May won a Plains District Title

184 - Banks love won a Plains District Title last year 

197 - Francisco Ayala finished 3rd at the Plains District & came within one match of NJCAA All-American honors. 

Southeast Community College

Coach Pack sent all 10 of his Bobcats to the NJCAA championships last year, as the team finished 2nd in the Plains District.  6 of those 10 wrestlers no longer have eligibility in the NJCAA.  The Olberding brothers. Lance & Ely, both All-Americans have both decided to go into the workforce & will not be moving on.  Isaac White, who had back-to-back 3rd place NJCAA finishes, has also decided not to continue his wrestling career, & will continue education at Southeast getting an electrical degree. 

Corey Hyatt, who was 7th in the NJCAA nation last year will be moving on to compete for NCAA Division II Quincy, as Miguel Perez-Diaz, an NJCAA qualifier last season will be competing for Lindsay Wilson, an NAIA institution. 

149 - What a phenomenal season for Keith Smith! Not only does he win a Plains District title, he becomes the Bobcat's first ever NJCAA champ! 

157 - Ayson Ryce ended up getting hurt at the Plains District championship, but thankfully we have wildcards in this Division of wrestling.  Healthy & ready to go come national tournament time, Rice took at 4th place finish at the NJCAA's. 

165 - Colin Menald took a 3rd place finish at the Plains District last season. 

174 - Dylan Scott was also 3rd at the Plains District last season. 

Northwest CC


3rd in the Plains District, the Trappers of Northwest CC sent 9 to the NJCAA championships.  6 of those 9 were sophomores last season, and so far I haven't seen anything regarding future plans for any of them.  Of the talent returning....

133 - Zach Covolo took a 3rd place finish at the Plains District & came within one match shy of NJCAA All-American honors. 

165 - Asad Fayzullaev, the Uzbekistan native took silver medals at both the Plains District last season & the NJCAA championships. 

197 - Austin Richens won a Plains District title last year & finished 3rd in the NJCAA nation. 

Otero


The Rattlers sent four to the NJCAA championships last season & two of those four are back. 

165 - Dilan Ruiz was 4th in the Plains District last season

184 - Kaleb Cooper took a 3rd place finish at the Plains District last season. 

Northeastern 


The Plainsmen sent four of their wrestlers to the NJCAA championships last year & all four were sophomores.  Silas Thompson earned NJCAA All American honors of 7th, as both Calvin Mendez & Bronson Richins finished one match shy of AA honors.  Haven't heard anything about new homes yet. 

Trinidad State


Trinidad State sent Chanry Morm to the NJCAA nationals last season.  Thus far haven't heard anything about his current status. 

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