Many of the NAIA qualifying tournaments will be historic this season & the KCAC is no different. Unfortunately, unless the decision is reversed, we will no longer see Bethany (KS) in action. Matter of fact, they didn't even finish out the end of the season & they will not be participating in this year's tournament. Nonetheless, with that negative news out of the way, we now focus on the positive. Of all six teams, it is not a guarantee that all six will have NAIA national qualifiers, but it is a guarantee that all six have the potential to send at least one wrestler to the dance.
Let's take a weight by weight look....
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| 125 |
Three-time KCAC finalist (2nd-1st-1st) & two-time All-American (7th & 3rd) Brody Gee is wrapping up an outstanding career for the Spires. Thus far this season he has won the Missouri Valley Invitational & that is far from the last gold medal he plans to collect before the end of '26. Looking to challenge him will be two Falcons from Friends, Braydon Pacheo & Braden Ledford. Pacheo 6th at Missouri Valley, took runner-up finishes as both the Friends Falcon Invite & the Oppenheim Open.
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| #16 Roman De La Cruz Saint Mary 133 |
'25-'26 hasn't quite turned out the way Roman De La Cruz was hoping that it would, but as Rocky said in ROCKY BALBOA, "it ain't over, till it's over." The Spire has tasted KCAC silver many times during his collegiate career, but this Saturday, he looks to dine on gold.
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| 141 |
The favorite here at 141 lbs is Wyatt Gardner, 3rd at both this year's Friends Falcon Invitational & the Battle in the Bluegrass. However, I could possibly see Tyler Johnson stealing this spot. A champion at the Service Salute, he was 8th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| U.R. Donte Lopez Oklahoma Wesleyan 149 |
No ranked wrestlers here at 149 lbs & only the KCAC champion will go to the NAIA national tournament. Some good picks here, but I'm going with Donte Lopez of Oklahoma Wesleyan. He's been to the KCAC finals before & he's a two-time NAIA qualifier.
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| #12 Cayleb Atkins Friends 157 |
A former Appalachian State Mountaineer, I feel like Cayleb Atkins has been around forever. Winner of this year's Battle in the Bluegrass, I saw we're looking at our 157 lbs KCAC champion.
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| #11 Josey Jernegan Saint Mary 165 |
Another weight class that is only taking the champion & I'm 99.9% positive that champion is going to be Josey Jernegan. Already having 2nd & 1st finishes within the KCAC, this year he made the finals of both the Oppenheim Open & the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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| 174 |
Again a weight class without any ranked wrestlers & only the champion will advance to the NAIA national tournament. I think we see a finals here between Benedict Holthaus & Caleb Davies. I think it will be a good finals.
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| 184 |
I believe without question, 184 lbs will be the most competitive of our weight classes at the KCAC. On paper, it looks to be an obvious final between Jason Bowers & Julian Gorring. Bowers, 5th at the Missouri Valley Invitational was the runner-up at the Battle in the Bluegrass. Gorring, ironically enough another former Appalachian State Mountaineer, champion at the Friends Falcon Invitational & 3rd at Oppenheim. Jeremiah Voliva is a former KCAC champion in his own right & I wouldn't overlook him. I'd also keep an eye on Peyton Callis. The Freshman is quietly shaping up to be one of the best wrestlers Tom Carr has had on his team, and pulling off an upset here at the KCAC tournament would not surprise me in the least.
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| 197 |
Another tough weight class here in the KCAC. Thus far this year, Logan Davidson has collected a ton of bronze. Bronze at the Friends Falcon Open, Bronze at Oppenheim, Bronze at Missouri Valley. This weekend though, here at the KCAC, he looks to collect gold. To challenge him will be Gabe Chesbro & Rodney Trotter, both Missouri Valley Invitational place-winners. Trotter, a former standout for Labette Community College, also won the Service Salute earlier this season.
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| U.R. Stevie Elwell Ottawa HWT |
Our sixth weight class in the KCAC that will only be taking the champion. My pick? Stevie Elwell of Ottawa. An NAIA qualifier for Missouri Valley before transferring to Ottawa.
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