2025-2026 NCAA DI preview = 174 lbs

 

Levi Haines
Penn State

A wrestler from Pennsylvania, wrestling for a Pennsylvania school.  Yeah, the math, maths here.  Heading into '25-'26, Levi Haines a three-time BIG 10 champion, has been 2nd-1st-3rd in the NCAA DI thus far. He went 25-2 last year. 

Pat Kennedy
Iowa

Not even positive if he would be the starter at the beginning of the '24-'25 season, Pat Kennedy ended the year with a 4th place showing in the DI nation, as he heads into '25-'26 the #2 ranked wrestler (according to some reputable websites).  1st-2nd-1st thus far at the Soldier Salute, he won 18 matches. 

Simon Ruiz
Cornell

The Big Red has some super tough, young talent on their squad and Simon Ruiz is one of them. 27-7 on the year, he won an Ivy League title, placing 4th at CKLV & finishing 5th in the DI nation. 

Matty Singleton
North Carolina State

The four-time Georgia state champ had a very solid sophomore campaign last year, winning an NCAA title & finishing 7th in the DI nation.  A testimony to just how tough CKLV can be, Singleton finished one match shy of a top 8 finish in Vegas. 

Danny Wask
Navy

Only a junior, Danny Wask has the potential to finish his career as one of the best wrestlers that Navy has ever produced & eventually join John Reich as the Midshipmen's only other three-time All American.  8th in the DI nation last year, he was also an EIWA runner-up & a Navy Classic champion.  A runner-up at the Soldier Salute, he has been 4th & 6th at CKLV. 

Lenny Pinto
Nebraska

A chip on the shoulder can often be a good thing, especially if you're a team that finished 2nd in the DI nation last year & you're out to prove that it was not a fluke.  On a personal level add in that Lenny Pinto has been one match shy of DI All American status the past two years.  Plus, 7th at CKLV in 2024, he was one match shy of placing last year.  A BIG 10 runner-up, with an 18-11 decision over Pat Kennedy, this Husker is due.  2nd-1st-2nd at the Navy Classic as well. 

UPDATE:  Well whatever Nebraska is destined to do or not do this season, it'll be without Lenny Pinto.  He's heading to New Jersey to compete for the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers! 

Lucas Augustine
Pittsburgh

20 wins on the year, Lucas Augustine finished up '24-'25 one match shy of being a DI All American.  Twice an ACC runner-up, he was 6th at the Midlands last year, with both a 4-3 win over All American Danny Wask & a 3-1 tiebreaker over All American Matty Singleton.  I feel like I've been saying this about the Panthers ever since I started writing about collegiate wrestling back in 2002.  The potential is there. 

Cameron Steed
Missouri

7th in the DI nation at 165 lbs last year, Cameron Steed will test himself at 174 this year. 

Avery Bassett
Lock Haven

A three-time NWCA Scholar All-American, Avery Bassett won 27 matches last season, winning the Keystone Invitational, taking 3rd at the Princeton Open & 3rd at the MAC. 

Garrett Thompson
Ohio

31-7 on the year, Garrett Thompson heads into '25-'26 with a collection of accolades thus far.  2nd & 1st at the MAC, he's been 5th & 3rd at CKLV.  A Michigan State Open runner-up, he was 3rd at the Navy Classic. 

Lorenzo Norman
Stanford

Not even the only wrestler at 174 lbs from Blair Academy, give Bernard Muir a call, email or letter in the mail to let him know how good Lorenzo Norman is.  21-6 on the year, he made the CKLV finals & won a Midlands title.  A 12-7 win over All American Danny Wask, he had an 8-6 win over R12'er Luca Augustine. 

Jared Simma
Northern Iowa

The Swayze & I recently discussed how awesome it'd be if the state of Kansas offered a DI home for its top talent.  It's fun to imagine someone like Jared Simma as a Jay Hawk of Kansas, a Wildcat of Kansas State, or a Shocker of Wichita State.  However, I'll admit my selfishness for a moment & say that I'm glad I only have to drive an hour & a half to see him in action. Coach Schwab has done a good job with him.  7th & 6th thus far in the BIG 12, he was 7th at CKLV & 3rd at the Soldier Salute.  Owned a 14-8 victory over R12'er Lenny Pinto. 

Brody Baumann
Purdue

19 wins on the season, Brody Baumann was an NCAA DI qualifier for the Boilermakers last season placing 8th at the BIG 10's. 

Myles Takats
Bucknell

I think sometimes among the stories, tales of improvement often go unheard & such is the case with the Bison of Bucknell.  Dan Wirnsberger has seen some improvement in recent times & I don't think he's gotten the credit he deserves for it.  Myles Takats showed that he has the potential to be an All American this year.  An 11-3 major over All American Simon Ruiz, he also defeated R12'er Luca Augustine 4-1 s.v.  6th & 5th thus far in the EIWA, he ws 3rd at the Midlands. 

Josh Ogunsanya
North Carolina

A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, Josh Ogunsanya won 14 matches last year, one of which was a 5-4 decision over All American Matty Singleton.  He was 4th at the Soldier Salute & 3rd in the ACC. 

Sergio Desiante
Virginia Tech

To be honest, I was looking forward to what Sergio Desiante was going to do for the Mocs.  Don't get me wrong, happy to see him at Virginia Tech too & excited to see what he'll now do for the Hokies.  23-4 on the year, he won both the Southern Scuffle & the SOCON last year. 

Jasiah Queen
Drexel

21-7 on the season, Jasiah Queen was 4th in the EIWA. 

M.J. Gaitan
Iowa State

17 wins on the year, M.J. Gaitan was 3rd at the BIG 12's & owned a 4-2 decision over R12'er Luca Augustine. 

Carson Kharchla
Ohio State

A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, who placed 7th in 2022, Carson Kharchla looks to reclaim his All-American status in 2026. Had both a 7-3 & a 4-2 decision over All American Pat Kennedy on the year. 

Branson John
Maryland

Despite a losing record last year, a 6th place finish got Branson John into the NCAA DI championships. 

Enrique Munguia
Rider

An NCAA DI qualifier at 165 lbs last year, Enrique Munguia will try for NCAA DI qualification once again in 2026, this time competing at 174 lbs. 

Caleb Campos
American

Been waiting on Coach Jason Borrelli to crown his first star since taking over American & I can see Caleb Campos being the first Eagle to really spread his wings and fly.  24 wins on the year, 3rd at the Southern Scuffle, he stuck Lennox Wolak in 1:44. 

Devin Wasley
North Dakota State

16 wins on the year, Devin Wasley was 7th at the Southern Scuffle. 

Brody Conley
West Virgina

An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, unfortunately Brody Conley was hurt at the 2025 BIG 12 tournament.  He gave us plenty of reason to believe he'll make it back to the NCAA's in 2026.  8-5 over Jared Simma, he nearly tech'd M.J. Gaitan 14-2. 

Lucas Uliano
Appalachian State

Very, very surprised that Lucas Uliano did not get a nod for NCAA DI at large wildcard last year.  23-8 on the season, he actually nearly tech'd eventually SOCON champ Sergio Desiante 15-1.  He also DID tech Lennox Wolak 19-3.  A SOCON runner-up, he won the Southeast Open. 

Cooper Haase
Army

17 wins on the year, Cooper Haase was the Princeton Open runner-up. 

Joseph Walker
Michigan

Joseph Walker has yet to make it to the NCAA DI championships, but he gives us good reason to think he'll be packing his bags not to watch, but to compete in 2026.  One match shy of placing at CKLV, he won the Clarion Open & he had a 10-4 win over Jackson Turley. 

Alex Facundo
Oklahoma State

War is unavoidable.  Doesn't seem like much yet, but as the years go by, there will be a vicious and bloody one between the Nittany Lions & Cowboys.  Note it, that Alex Facundo switched from Happy Valley to Stillwater.  An NCAA DI qualifier in 2023 at 165 lbs, he was at 157 last year.  Be fun to see how 174 treats him. 

Matt Olguin
Oregon State

Season after season, we have a lot of big surprises.  Why should '25-'26 be any different? If it's my job to try and make predictions, I can see Matt Olguin having a really good season.  He's had some big wins in the past. I say he does again.