The legend of Wartburg Knights wrestling began in 1993 when the Knights took 2nd place at the NCAA Division III championships. It's been 33 years, and since that time Wartburg has finished 6th in 1995, 2001 & 2019. 3rd in 2010. Other than that, it's been either 1st or 2nd. You're reading that correctly. Over a period of 33 years, in 29 of those seasons Wartburg has brought home either a gold team trophy or a silver team trophy. 17 team titles, more than any other team in NCAA Division III.
The legacy continues.
The 2017 team champs not only crowned all 10 Regional place-winners, they put 7 of the 10 in the Regional VI finals and qualified all but one. Of the 9 qualifiers, 7 earned D3 All-American status. The record stands at 17, but give it 9 months & it could very well be 18.
Let's take a look at what the black & orange loses this season & then take a look at what they're bringing back.
Charlie Dojan, what a standout career this young man had. Like all who have put on a Knight's singlet, I'm sure that coming up short of gold probably eats away at him, but capturing two NCAA D3 bronze medals during a career is still one Hell of a statement.
Kasey Ross, what a privilege it was to watch this young man during his career. A three-time Regional VI champion, who gained a lot of confidence when he took 5th as a junior in 2025. Went undefeated in his final season, winning a D3 title with absolute dominance.
Mitch Williamson had a fantastic career for the Knights. 2nd-3rd-1st at Regional VI, won an NCAA D3 title as a junior & finished 2nd as a senior.
Although he wasn't a starter this season, have to point out how good Anthony Ulaszek was. 20-3 on the year, he stuck an All-Americans in under a minute! Pinned Rhenzo Augusto in only 29 seconds!
Now, what the black & orange has coming back.....
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| 125 Brett Birchman |
The 2026 NCAA D3 All American (7th) heads into 2026-2027 with 2nd & 1st place finishes thus far in Regional VI. 20 wins on the year, he was 4th at Concordia-Wisconsin.
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| 133 Patrick Mullen |
28 wins on the season, he was 2nd at Regional VI & 5th in the D3 nation.
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| 133 Aiden Crawley |
Super tough backup in Aiden Crawley. Among his wins, sticking All-American Connor Kidd at the 2:41 mark.
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| 141 Kade Blume |
Only a sophomore & he's already a Regional VI champion & an NCAA D3 champion.
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| 141 Tommy Thongseng |
If you have any question as to how deep the Wartburg lineup is, just take a look at 141. Tommy Thongseng was an All-American himself in 2025 (7th).
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| 149 Caleb Olson |
3rd at Regional VI, Caleb Olson won 19 matches last year, 3rd at the Luther Open & 4th at Concordia-Wisconsin.
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| 165 Aiden Brosinski |
An NCAA D3 qualifier in 2023, Aiden Brosinski was one match shy of becoming a two-time qualifier in both 2025 & 2026. He won Concordia-Wisconsin last year.
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| 174 Mike Slade |
25 wins on the year, Mike Slade was 3rd at both Regional VI & Cliff Keen Mike Duroe.
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| 197 Cal Dorota |
Cal Dorota won Regional VI last season & finished 7th in the D3 nation.
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