JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Rider 2026-2027

 

I think of a line from ROCKY BALBOA when I look back on Rider wrestling last season.  The speech where Rocky is talking to his son about knowing what you're worth & going out there and getting it. Refusing to let life deny you what you know you deserve.  I think a lot of the cranberry, white & gray displayed that attitude last year. 

Did anyone at the beginning of 2026-2027 pick Tyler Klinsky to win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) & finish off his career as an All-American? I remember a lot of wrestling media who didn't have him #1 in the MAC, nor did they have him in the top 8 in the DI rankings. He went out and did both. 

How about Will Betancourt?  Records of 2-11 & 8-10, to winning 23 matches in his final season & making the MAC finals. If that doesn't say, "I dare you to doubt me" little else will. 

Eli Griffin wrestled a bit with a chip on his shoulder last year, and I can't say I blame him.  He was either California Baptist very first NCAA DI qualifier, or at least one of them.  A huge achievement for his school, & the Lancer's athletic director, Micah Parker turns around & gives him a middle finger.  That would've fired me up too.  Griffin wrestled instead for an A.D. who appreciated him last season, Don Harnum.  Made the MAC finals, the CKLV finals, and just about made NCAA DI All-American too. 

Enrique Munguia, who wrestled his collegiate career like a box of chocolates.  Unfortunately, the 2025 MAC champion came up a bit short of DI qualification this year, but did wrestle-back to a strong 3rd place finish within the conference. 

The Broncos lost some talent & 2026-2027 will be a rebuilding year. 

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Dylan Layton

Talk about a guy that was snubbed by his original athletic director.  Like Griffin, Dylan Layton received the middle finger too, this time from Cleveland State.  What was the Viking's loss, has been the Broncos gain.  Layton won 26 matches last year & took 3rd in the MAC. 

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Brock Zurawski

A two-time NCAA DI qualifier for the Broncos, Brock Zurawski has thus far been 1st & 3rd in the MAC.