JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At UW-La Crosse 2026-2027

 

Four 2nd's, four 3rd's, & two 4th's, ever since taking over the UW-La Crosse program, head Coach Dave Malecek has added a total of 10 NCAA Division III team trophies to the display case at Mitchell Hall.  As much as those silver & bronze trophies are cherished, I know he's longing for one in gold. Could that be achieved in 2026-2027? 

He does lose Noah Leisgang, a three-time NCAA D3 All-American.  3rd-2nd-6th at the national tournament, medical forfeits probably wasn't where he wanted to end his career, but what a career it was nonetheless.  

Also lose a good one in Joe Penchi.  3rd at Regional VII, he ended his career 7th in the D3 nation.  Also placed 8th at Pete Willson.

Now let's take a look at what the Eagles have coming back....

125
Quinton Wolbert

6th-1st-2nd at Regional VII, Quinton Wolbert heads into 2026-2027 a three-time Regional place-winner & a two-time NCAA D3 qualifier.  He was also 3rd at the Luther Open last year. 

133
Wyatt Magolski

An NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, Wyatt Magolski came up one match short in 2026.  26 wins on the season, he won Under Armor, was 2nd at Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) & 3rd at the Cliff Keen Mike Duroe (CKMD).  He's also heading into '26-'27 a two-time Pete Willson placer with finishes of 3rd & 4th. 

141
Marcus McIntyre

28 wins on the season, Marcus McIntyre finished 2nd at Regional VII & one match shy of being an NCAA D3 All-American.  3rd at WIAC. 

141
Talan Schutte

Really, really want to see Talan Schutte in the lineup this year, but not 100% sure where he'd fit in at this point.  2nd at CKMD, he's a three-time Pete Willson place-winner, 4th-3rd-4th. 

149
Aidan Baum

25 wins on the season, Aidan Baum was 6th at Regional VII.  3rd at both the Auggie Invite & Under Armour, he was 6th at Pete Willson. 

165
Tanner Gerber

Silver at Regional VII, Tanner Gerber was gold everywhere else.  An NCAA D3 national champion, he also won WIAC & Pete Willson.  

174
Eddie Simes

An NCAA D3 qualifier in 2025, hands down Eddie Simes was the best backup in NCAA D3 wrestling during the 2025-2026 season.  Why do I say that?  Because he won CKMD, finishing 2nd at both WIAC & Pete Willson.  Wins over Bryce McDonough & Talen Vandenbush.  We're looking at a guy that was a reserve last year & could be a national champion this year. 

184
Tate Flege

28-4 on the year, Tate Flege was 3rd at Regional VII & 5th in the D3 nation.  A Luther Open champion & 2nd at WIAC. 

184
Sedeeq AlObaidi

Sometimes there just aren't enough weight classes, and this is one of those times.  20-3 on the season, Sedeeq AlObaidi won both Under Armour & Pete Willson. 3rd at CKMD. 

197
Tyler Dormanen

21-6 on the year, Tyler Dormanen made the Regional VII finals & won a WIAC title. 

HWT
Markos Mihalopoulos

3rd at Regional VII, Markos Mihalopoulos took 6th in the D3 nation.  25 wins on the season, he was also 3rd at Pete Willson. 

HWT
Henry Vander Heiden

17 wins on the season, Henry Vander Heiden was 3rd at WIAC.