JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Little Rock 2026-2027

 

Seeing what Little Rock has done & what they continue to do has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me as a wrestling fan.  You youngsters may not get it, but those who have been around a while certainly do.  There was a time when there was no wrestling at all in Arkansas.  Not a single high school had a varsity program. Heck, it was difficult to even find club teams in the natural state.  From 1953 to 2009, a period of 56 years, half a century, wrestling pretty much didn't exist.  

Look where we're at now.  Crowning individual conference champs, All-Americans, I honestly think that 2026-2027 could see 7 NCAA DI qualifiers.  7 NCAA DI qualifiers from a school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sounds euphoric when you say it out loud. 

141
Gavyn Whitehead

If you follow me on Twitter & follow my Youtube channel, then you know how I feel about Cole Spree & the Indian Hills Community College wrestling program. I'm very excited to see what the two-time NJCAA Champion can do at the NCAA DI level. 

149
Brock Herman

14-5 on the season Brock Herman won a PAC-12 title & finished 2nd at the Southern Scuffle. 

157
Jaivon Jones

Jaivon Jones won a PAC-12 title last season & finished 7th at the Southern Scuffle. 

165
Kyrel Leavell

Competing for The Citadel last season, Kyrel Leavell had a win over Laird Root last season & placed 6th at the Southern Scuffle. 

174
Melton Powe

The potential is there for Melton Powe to have a good season in 2026-2027. 

197
Stephen Little

7th-6th-3rd, here's where I get really excited.  A guy from Kentucky, wrestling for a college in Arkansas has the opportunity this year to become a four-time NCAA DI All-American.  To say that's huge for wrestling in the southeast is an understatement.  Not only that but 1st-2nd-1st, he has the opportunity to become a three-time PAC-12 champion.  82 career wins, reaching 100 is certainly feasible.  Was also 2nd at the Southern Scuffle. 

HWT
Mo Endene

Wisconsin, to Iowa, to Little Rock. We're FINALLY going to get to see what this three-time NCAA DIII champion from Texas can do at the DI level.  We had a glimpse last year of course, but that was at 197.  Things are a little different nearly 90 lbs up.  Very anxious to see what he looks like against some of the best 285 lbs wrestlers in the nation. 

UPDATE:  Well shoot, looks like this isn't happening, but still plenty of reasons to be pumped about Little Rock Wrestling this year!