2025-2026 NCAA DI Preview = 141 lbs

 

Jesse Mendez
Ohio State

The last two seasons, in DI's toughest tournaments, the CKLV & the NCAA DI nationals, Jesse Mendez has walked away the best of the best.  He heads into this final season of collegiate competition looking to become a three-time NCAA DI champion, as well as a three-time CKLV champion. 

Brock Hardy
Nebraska

Another name to add to the list in asking the question of why Utah doesn't get more credit in some of the pure talent that it produces.  Thus far a phenomenal career that has seen 6th-3rd-2nd place finishes at the NCAA DI tournament. 2nd-5th-1st place finishes at the BIG 10. 1st-6th-3rd place finishes at CKLV.  Plus a three-time Navy Classic champion.  In other words when Brock Hardy purchases his first house someday, he'll need a room just to house his medals!  He heads into '25-'26 also one of the threats to Mendez defending his title.  He upended the Buckeye in action last season 9-8. 

C.J. Composto
Pennsylvania

Here's another guy that has head a very decorated career.  A Two-time NCAA DI All-American with 8th & 4th place finishes, C.J. Composto won titles at Keystone, the Midlands & the Ivy League last season.  A three-time NWCA Scholar All American, the future looks bright for the Quaker. 

Evan Mougalian
Pennsylvania

Right behind Composto in the Quaker lineup, is a super tough Evan Mougalian.  14-4 on the year, had a 5-1 win over Sam Latona, maknig the Keystone Finals & taking 7th at the Midlands. 

Vance Vombaur
Minnesota

It's amazing to me how it doesn't feel like it was all that long ago, but it was.  Some 23 years ago, I was watching Vance's dad earn his second All-American honor at the NCAA DI nationals in Kansas City, Missouri.  Now here I am looking forward to watching Vance go for his third All-American honor in 2026.  Back-to-back 8th place finishes in the DI nation, Vombaur has been 3rd & 2nd in the Soldier Salute and has 7th & 2nd place finishes within the BIG 10. 

Sergio Lemley
Michigan

Nephew of NCAA DI champion/Head Coach of Indiana Angel Escobedo, Sergio Lemley heads into his junior season of competition having posted a 22-11 record last season.  One match shy of DI All-American honors, he was 7th at CKLV, and has 4th & 5th place finishes at the BIG 10. 

Dylan Chappell
Bucknell

A match shy of NCAA DI All-American honors last season, Dylan Chappell enters his senior year now a three-time EIWA runner-up.  22 wins, he's also been 2nd & 3rd at the Navy Classic & he took 3rd at the Midlands. 

Joey Olivieri
Rutgers

21-11 on the year, Joey Olivieri finished up '24-'25 one match shy of DI All-American honors.  6th at BIG 10's, he was a runner-up at the Midlands. 

Luke Stanich
Lehigh

Many are excited about the return of Luke Stanich who deferred eligibility in '24-'25.  As a freshman two-seasons ago, he lit things up at 125 lbs, ending his season as both a Midlands champion & 5th in the DI nation.  Last season unattached, he posted an 8-2 win over C.J. Composto & a 3-2 tiebreaker over Sergio Lemley. 

Carter Bailey
Lehigh

Pushing Stanich in the Mountain Hawk room, Carter Bailey put up 13 wins himself last season. One of which was a 1-0 decision over qualifier Josh Saunders. 

Anthony Echemendia
Iowa State

Injury getting the best of the future Cuban Olympian last year, Anthony Echemendia heads into '25-'26 an NCAA DI All American in 2024 with a 5th place finish, and a BIG 12 champion. 

Osmany Diversent
Iowa State

Challenging Echemendia for the 141 lbs spot this year, will be fellow Cuban Osmany Diversent.  11-5 as a redshirt last year at both 133 & 125 lbs, he had some impressive wins.  5-2 over NAIA champion Aden Reeves, 7-3 over qualifier Kyle Burwick & 9-3 over two-time All-American Anthony Noto. 

Tyler Wells
Oklahoma

A two-time NCAA DI qualifier for Minnesota, who finished one match shy of being an All-American in 2024, Tyler Wells will be redshirting at Oklahoma this season. 

Nasir Bailey
Iowa

An All American (4th) for Little Rock in 2024 at 133 lbs, Nasir Bailey is moving up in more ways than one.  He's headed north to compete for Iowa, and he's moving up to compete at 141 lbs. 

Julian Tagg
South Dakota State

Tagg, you're it! 18 wins on the season, Julian Tagg posted 5th place finishes at both the Soldier Salute & the BIG 12's.  On the year, he majored R12'er Joey Olivieri 13-3 & defeated All-American C.J. Composto 4-1. 

Tyson Peach
South Dakota State

Backing Tagg up will be a tough Tyson Peach who as a redshirt last season won 14 matches, and placed 3rd at the Soldier Salute. 

Wyatt Henson
Lock Haven

An absolute monster in the top position, Wyatt Henson put up 27 wins on the season. One of which was a 9-1 major over R12'er Dylan Chappell. A two-time MAC champion. 

Danny Pucino
Illinois

Danny Pucino heads into his final season of competition a two-time NCAA DI qualifier, having posted 15 wins last season. 

Eligh Rivera
Princeton

19 wins on the season, the Orlando, Florida native finished as the Ivy League runner-up & 3rd at the Lehman Open. 

Ryan Jack
North Carolina State

"The Return of" seems the proper theme for 141 lbs in NCAA DI this season.  To add to the list, 2024 7th place DI All-American Ryan Jack.  He owns a 4-1 win over Brock Hardy & a 4-3 win over Vance Vombaur. 

Greyson Clark
Purdue

A product of the Askren Wrestling Academy, Greyson Clark is a two-time NCAA DI qualifier. 

Jordan Soriano
Drexel

19 wins in '24-'25 for the Dragon as he posted a 3rd place finish at the EIWA championships & had an impressive 10-8 win over R12'er Dylan Chappell. 

Jayden Scott
North Carolina

15 wins on the year, Jayden Scott won a Southeast Open title last year, finishing 2nd at the Southern Scuffle. An NCAA DI qualifier. 

Nash Singleton
Oregon State

13 wins on the season, Nash Singleton won a PAC-12 title. 

Briar Priest
Pittsburgh

An NCAA DI qualifier for the Panthers last season, Briar Priest won 13 matches. 

Jordan Titus
West Virginia

When it's time to show up, you can always count on Jordan Titus. A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, he's been 6th the past two BIG 12 championships. 

A.J. Rallo
Bellarmine

A four-time Missouri high school state champion, A.J. Rallo was an NCAA DI qualifier for the Knights last season & 7th at the Southern Scuffle. 

Lorenzo Frezza
Columbia

Brother Tommy was a standout for NCAA DII Central Missouri, as Lorenzo is gaining ground as a lion of Columbia.  He didn't compete much last season but wrestled enough to earn himself an NCAA DI qualification.  Among 

Cael Hughes
Oklahoma State

A back-up to Tagen Jamison last season, who is now up at 149 lbs, Cael Hughes gives us plenty of reason to know that he'll be a force to be reckoned with in '25-'26.  Wins include a 7-4 decision over All-American Zan Fugitt & a 5:20 fall over multiple time All-American Kai Orine.  Spends spare time volunteering at the medical center & helping out with Special Olympic events. 

Vince Cornella
Cornell

Another returnee to the 141 lbs weight class, Vince Cornella was a NCAA DI qualifier in 2023. 

Bryce Kresho
F&M

Bryce Kresho won 34 matches last season & finished one match shy of being an NCAA DI qualifier.  He finished 3rd at the Southeast Open & 6th at Midlands. 

Jimmy Garcia
F&M

To challenge Kresho for the starting position, will  be Jimmy Garcia.   Who finished blood round at CKLV & had a 6-5 decision over Julian Tagg. 

Tom Crook
Virginia Tech

Back to talking about returnees.  A two-time NCAA DI qualifier, Tom Crook returns action after redshirting in '24-'25.  A four-time state champion in Florida. 

Frankie Tal-Shahar
Northwestern

A redshirt during the '23-'24 season & unfortunately injured for nearly all of last season, Frankie Tal-Shahar, another Florida native, returns to action in '25-'26.  A two-time NCAA DI qualifier, he owns a 5-3 win over R12'er Joey Olivieri & a 17-7 major decision over All American Jacob Frost. 

Emilio Ysaguirre
Arizona State

Emilio Ysaguirre is an interesting case.  He had a losing record last season, but don't let that you fool you. He's a diamond back with a vicious bite that can deliver a lethal does of potent venom if he can sink his fangs into you.  He proved that two seasons ago by nearly majoring Brock Hardy, & last year he had a very nice 9-2 victory over qualfier Josh Saunders. 

Haiden Drury
Utah Valley

An NCAA DI qualifier in 2022, Hayden Drury has came up a bit short the past two seasons after redshirting in 2023.  Also 3rd at CKLV in 2022, he's came up a bit short there as well.  A former Fresno State Bulldog, he won 17 matches in '24-'25 & gives plenty of reason to think he'll make it to his final dance.  5-0 over Kai Orine, 5-2 over Julian Tagg & 11-3 over Nash Singleton. 

Braden Basile
Army

Another Florida native, Braden Basile was 3rd in the EIWA in 2024, qualifying for the NCAA DI championships.  A Backup last season to Richard Treanor, Basile did place 5th at the Southern Scuffle. 

Cory Land
Northern Iowa

Splitting time with Julian Farber last year at 133, now that All-American Cael Happel has graduated, Cory Land will take over the spot at 141 lbs.  13-4 last year, 8 lbs lighter, Land had some impressive showings in '24-'25.  Should once again in '25-'26. 

Aden Valencia
Stanford

We didn't get to see a whole lot out of Aden Valencia last season, but the younger brother of Zahid, Anthony, Cael & Nyla, has given us enough preview to be excited for the full length feature.   Last year during his redshirt, Aden stuck Zach Redding in 5:50, also scoring a 5-4 win over qualifier Eligh Rivera.  An expert in both freestyle & judo, he held Sergio Lemley to a 2-0 decison & he took All-American Cael Happel into sudden victory. 

Henry Porter
Indiana

8th at the BIG 10's last season, Henry Porter came up a little short of NCAA DI qualification.  14 wins on the year, he also finished 2nd at the Sheridan Invite. 

Jack Maida
American

An NCAA DI qualifier in 2023 at 133 lbs, Jack Maida competed at 125 lbs in 2024, and was injured for nearly all of the '24-'25 season.  He'll test the waters at 141 lbs this season. 

Cole Brooks
Wyoming

Just short of NCAA DI qualification with an 8th place finish at the BIG 12's, Cole Brooks collected 15 wins this past season.  Among them a 2-1 decision over Haiden Drury & a 10-4 decision over PAC-12 champion, Nash Singleton. 

Eli Griffin
Rider

Originally Eli Griffin packed up and left home to wrestle 1,400 miles away in Riverside, Calfornia for the Lancers of California Baptist.  Now, he heads 1,302 miles in the other direction from home to compete for the Broncos of Rider.  An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, Griffin missed out on qualification this past season, but did have a 5-0 decison over Jordan Titus. 

Troy Hohman
North Carolina State

Troy Hohman may have ended '24-'25 with a losing record, but nonetheless he did show signs of potential throughout the season.  A 5-3 decision over Jason Miranda & a 3:57 fall over Reece Witcraft. 

Kyren Butler
Virginia

Behind Dylan Cedeno last season, Kyren Butler steps into the starting position at 141 lbs for the Cavaliers in '24-'26.  A Sheridan Invite champion, he was 6th at the Southern Scuffle. 

Danny Martinez
SIUE

20 wins on the season for Danny Martinez, who was 5th at the Midlands. 

Tyson Sherlock
Davidson

It's been 11 years since the Wildcats last sent a wrestler to the NCAA Division I championships.   I believe in '25-'26 they have some legitimate contenders, and Tyson Sherlock is one of them.  14 wins on the season, he was 8th at the Southern Scuffle. 


Brother Tommy was a standout at Central Missouri, as Lorenzo is making grounds as a Lion of Columbia.  He didn't wrestle much last season, but he wrestled enough to earn a trip to the NCAA DI championships & he scored an impressive 4-1 s.v. over R12'er Dylan Chappell during the year.