2025-2026 NJCAA Preview - South Central District

 

Fort Hays Tech Northwest

What a great season it was for the Tigers of Fort Hays Tech Northwest.  South Central District champions & 4th in the NJCAA they crowned an assortment of All-Americans, including NJCAA individual champions.  I know that Otgonbayar Batsuuri a two-time NJCAA champion for the Tigers is heading to Nebraska-Kearney to do battle in NCAA Division II.  Very excited to see what the future Mongolian Olympian can do in the Super Region & at the D2 national tournament.  Not sure where NJCAA champ Job Lee or NJCAA champ Lazro Crespo are going to end up.  What I can tell you is that like the Deal brothers, like Jett Strickenberger & so many others who have wrestled for this incredible program, where ever they end up, they will be assets.   Dayton Bell, who finished R12 at NJCAA nationals last year, is also to my knowledge out of NJCAA eligibility. 

As to the returnees.....

125 - Kaiden Ballinger, a native Floridan, and a future welder was an NJCAA qualifier for the Tigers this past season. 

141 - Xavier Castillo, a native of Arizona & a future plumber was another NJCAA qualifier for the Tigers last season.  Scored an impressive 6-3 win over Dayson Torgerson who placed at the Super Region VI in NCAA D2. 

197 - V.S.L. Montoya - I've read books shorter than his fist three names.  Also a future welder, and a future representative of team Cuba, Montoya made the South Central District finals this past season & was one match shy of NJCAA All-American honors. 

HWT - Looking to continue the tradition of crowning NJCAA individual champions, Jeisser Sanchez, another welder & future member of team Cuba, won a South Central District title last season & made the NJCAA finals.  He'll be the forerunner for a title this season. 

UPDATE: Found out from a reliable source that both Crespo & Lee will be joining Batsuuri at Nebraska-Kearney!  

Pratt

The Beavers of Pratt, as they usually are, are looking mighty tough heading into '25-'26.  6 of the 9 qualifiers to my knowledge return.  While I'm not sure where Johnny Cash Thompson, who was 7th in the NJCAA or where Kolton Field will end up, I have caught wind as to the whereabouts of NJCAA champion Melton Powe. He has transferred to Iowa State & will be duking it out with NCAA DI R12'er M.J. Gaitan for the starting spot.  

125 - South Central District runner-up Zane Donley finished one match shy of NJCAA All-American honors this past season. 

133 - Rashaud Morgan was 3rd at the South Central District

141 - Jameal Agnew was 4th at the South Central District

174 - Also 4th at the South Central District, Trystian Juarez

197 - Raymon G Hernandez took a 6th place finish at the South Central District

HWT - James Bankston, a native of North Carolina, was a South Central District runner-up, and he finished 7th in the NJCAA nation. 

Northeast Oklahoma A&M

I realize that so much of a team's success within the NJCAA is related to the talent coming in.  Incoming freshman (again not my expertise...refer to Swayz) is the name of the game at the Community College level.  With that said, I still can't help but be excited about the Golden Norsemen in '25-'26, regardless of being unfamiliar with their top recruits.  As to returning talent, NEO has some solid wrestlers. 

They went 9-2 in duals last season, with one of those losses being a 27-15 loss to powerhouse Iowa Central.  They came back & beat the Tritons later on 26-21. 

125 - Logan Crawford won titles at both the South Central District, as well as the Baker Open last season, finishing 5th in the NJCAA nation. 

141 - Torylon Stallings won the Viking Open last year, taking runner-up finishes at both the Baker Open & the South Central District. 

157 - Finishing 3rd at the South Central District, Zach Dawson was one match shy of NJCAA All-American honors

197 - A Baker Open runner-up, after finishing 5th at the South Central District, Sam Murphy was one match shy of earning NJCAA All American honors himself. 

HWT - Bloodround seemed to be the wall that hit the ship last season, which is what makes me excited to see how they bounce back this year.  Jude Beers, a Viking Open champion, 3rd at both the Baker Open & the South Central District, was another R12'er at NJCAA nationals last year. 

Labette

The Cardinals qualified all 10 of their wrestlers to the NJCAA championships last season, but to my knowledge only two of them still have community college eligibility left.  Very anxious to see where two-time NJCAA All-American Matt Marcum ends up (6th & 4th) as well as 5th place Davion King.  So far, haven't heard yet, but both will be phenomenal additions anywhere they join. 

141 -  Great season for Jordan Cullors last season who finished 3rd in a tough South Central District & then went on to take a 7th place finish at the NJCAA tournament. 

174 - Jayden Ford is another returning qualifier for the Cardinals this season. 

Carl Albert State

The Vikings sent 9 to the NJCAA championships last season & return 6 of those 9 qualifiers to the '25-'26 season. 

125 - Keegan Sullivan was 3rd at the South Central District

133 - A native of Florida, Sean Michael Gonzalez won a South Central District title & finished 5th in the NJCAA nation. 

141 - Kaiden Cue was an NJCAA qualifier for the Vikings last season. 

157 - One half of the Del City brothers, Trequan Buttram was 5th at the South Central District. 

174 - The other half of the Del City brothers, Deontre Buttram scored a 3rd place finish at the South Central District & finished 4th in the NJCAA nation. 

HWT - Marquonn Journey earned NJCAA qualification with a 4th place showing at the South Central District. 

Cowley

8 qualifiers for the Tigers in '24-'25, and from the looks of it, 7 of those 8 are returning for action this season. 

133 - Cam Kiser was an NJCAA qualifier in 2025

141 - Evan Rodriguez won the South Central District title & finished 5th in the NJCAA nation

149 - Shawn R Bamba was the South Central District runner-up & one match shy of NJCAA All American honors

165 - Dylan Reed was an NJCAA qualifier for the Tigers last season

174 - Keenan Smith finished 5th at the South Central District

184 - Brannigan Reyes also finished 5th at the South Central District

HWT - Jacob Acedo, an Arizona native was another NJCAA qualifier for the Tigers in '25. 

Neosho

Panther wrestling returns 4 of the 5 they sent to the NJCAA championships last year.  Qualifiers include...

133 - Evan Coble

149 - Kasen Smith

174 - Maleek Ayonrinde

197 - Draven Pipkin 

Cloud County

Four NJCAA qualifiers for the Thunderbirds last season & to my knowledge two of them return.

184 - Micah Cauthers

HWT - Jayden Berry

Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa

In their first season on the mat, the Mavericks qualified two to the NJCAA championships.  Christian Clark, a native of Texas was one of them.  He'll be a sophomore this season. 

125 - Jamal Garrett earned NJCAA qualification for the Cougars last year. 

Colby sent 7 to the NJCAA national tournament in '24-'25 & you know as well as I do that they'll send a bunch again this season as well.  Thing is though, all seven qualifiers from last season were sophomores.  Including All American Cah'Mari Johnson.  Haven't heard anything about new homes yet, but sure they'll pop up somewhere soon. 

2025-2026 NJCAA Preview - North Central District

 

Indian Hills

Cole Spree has started something down in Centerville, Iowa & it doesn't look to be stopped any time soon.  Winning both the North Central District team title as well as the NJCAA team championship, the Warriors return 7 of the 10 they sent to the NJCAA tournament last season.   Both Brice Coleman who was 3rd in the NJCAA nation & Riley Bettich who was 4th in the NJCAA nation have decided to test themselves this upcoming season in the NAIA, as they'll be competing for the Patriots of Cumberlands.  Haven't heard yet on the status of two-time NJCAA All-American/finalist Jaquan East. 

133 - Deontrae Forest put together a 24-9 season, winning an Art Kraft title & taking runner-up honors at the North Central District.  He was an NWCA Scholar All-American. 

141 - Gavyn Whitehead had a phenomenal season for the Warriors.  33-2, his only losses were to bigger division wrestlers.  He won Luther Hil, Art Kraft, the North Central District & the NJCAA national title.  He was also an NWCA Scholar All-American. 

149 - Shehabeldin Mohamed won a North Central District title & finished 5th in the NJCAA nation. While I've seen a handful of wrestlers from South Africa compete in the collegiate ranks, this is the first time I've ever seen anyone from Egypt. 

165 - A West Des Moines Valley grad, Cinsere Clark won 34 matches last season in route to a 3rd place showing at the North Central District & a 4th place showing at the NJCAA national tournament. 

174 - Another wrestler from Egypt, Mohamed Abdelhady was 3rd at the North Central District & an NJCAA finalist. 

197 - A grad of Rock Island High, Andrew Marquez finished 2nd at the North Central District, but came back to avenge that loss to win the NJCAA title. 

HWT - Naasir Edmonds went 28-5 on the season, capturing a North Central District title & finishing 6th in the NJCAA nation. 

Iowa Central

North Central District runner-ups & 5th in the NJCAA nation, the Tritons return 7 of 10 NJCAA qualifiers from '24-'25.  I'm sure that both Jaydale Whitlock who was 7th in the NJCAA nation last season, as well as two-time NJCAA All-American Lawrence Rosario (3rd & 5th) will be moving on with their careers, but I haven't heard anything about it yet.  Same with Chance Davis. 

133 - Drew Cooper, an Omaha native won the North Central District title this past season & finished as the NJCAA runner-up. 

141 - Matt Roche, a native of New Jersey was a North Central District runner-up & he finished 8th in the NJCAA nation. 

149 - A California native, Gary Walker was 4th at the North Central District 

165 - A North Central District champion, Kaden King finished 3rd at the NJCAA championships. 

184 - A North Central District runner-up, Sam Libby was one match shy of NJCAA All American honors. 

197 - At the North Central District, Coen Grimm defeated Andrew Marquez for the title, but then lost to him in the NJCAA finals.  Looking forward to this continued rivalry. 

HWT - A native of Pakistan, Umair Ahmad took runner-up honors at the North Central District. 

UPDATE UPDATE!!!

Isaiah Powe

It almost seems unreal, doesn't it?  We're talking about a guy that won a SOCON title & he finished 3rd at the Southern Scuffle in 2024.  A guy who owns a win over another wrestler who nearly made DI All-American honors last season.  To know that Powe is going to be wrestling NJCAA this upcoming season is insane. What's even more fun to think about, is how does the rest of the field match up to him.  I imagine he'll probably be going 141 lbs. I haven't heard anything to the contrary yet.  This means a wrestle-off with NJCAA All American Matt Roche.  On the surface many are probably planning on Powe running the field with relative ease, but the NJCAA has some real hammers.  I know I for one am looking forward to seeing him again Gavyn Whitehead.  

Iowa Western 

If you're going to continuously host the NJCAA national tournament, you better have a pretty good team & that's exactly what Iowa Western has.   Not 100% positive on this, as info on two of the wrestlers was hard to find, but I believe the Reivers return 8 of their 10 NJCAA qualifiers from last year. Haven't heard anything about Cyrus Bucsit or Aaron Ohnoutka finding new homes yet, but hope they do. 

141 - Gabe Ferreira was 3rd in the North Central District & one match shy of NJCAA All-American honors

149 - Braxton Preacher took North Central District runner-up honors

157 - Also a defensive back on the Reiver football team, Dawson Bond was 5th at the North Central District

165 - Josiah Taylor was 5th at the North Central District 

174 - Matteo Nikolov, a native of Texas, was 2nd at the North Central District & 8th in the NJCAA nation. 

184 - Tannnr Fuller was 5th at the North Central District 

197 - Kolby Scott was 4th at the North Central District

HWT - Orion Parker took a 3rd place finish at the North Central District 

The Trojans of NIACC will be hosting the 2026 North Central District.  Last year they had a bunch of tough sophomores in the lineup, qualifying a total of 9 to the NJCAA championships, 7 of which were sophomores.  Haven't heard anything concerning new homes yet, but sure I will soon. 

133 - Alejandro Rodriguez, a native of Florida was 5th at last year's North Central District

197 - A great season for Macray Klohs.  All-Academic within the Region, he was 3rd at the North Central District, taking 2nd place honors at the Coe Invitational & winning the Battle For The Helmet. 

Hawkeye

First season ever, and using all local guys from Iowa, the Red Tails qualified 6 to the NJCAA national tournament & based on the roster, all 6 return for action in '25-'26. 

141 - Gavin Reed was 6th at the North Central District

149 - Macael Bear was 5th at the North Central District 

157 - Brody Hoyt was 3rd at the North Central District 

174 - Austin Pfantz was 5th at the North Central District

197 - Isaiah Kellow was the runner-up at the Luther Open & 5th at the North Central District

HWT - A runner-up at the Luther Open, Josh Vis was 6th at the North Central District 

Iowa Lakes

The Lakers sent 8 to the NJCAA championships last season & I believe that 6 of those 8 return for '25-'26. 

125 - Dominic Chimeno was 4th at the North Central District

133 - Luke Guseman was 4th at the North Central District

141 - Is there an echo in here? Jaydn Friedrichs was also 4th at the North Central District 

149 - I have no idea if William Penn plans to wrestle beyond the NJCAA level or not, but wouldn't that be something if he were to compete for William Penn in '26-'27?  That's looking too far ahead.  Penn goes into '25-'26, having placed 3rd at the North Central District & 8th in the NJCAA nation. 

184 - Etheend Deyampert was 4th at the North Central District

HWT - Phillip Malone was 4th at the North Central District 

Ellsworth

The Panthers sent four to the NJCAA championships last season & three of them return. 

157 - Nick Fischer was an NJCAA qualifier last season

165 - Josh Berlin was 4th at the North Central District

HWT - Aiden McFadden was an NJCAA qualifier last season 

Southeastern 

Very excited about the addition of Southeastern Blackhawks wrestling.  No roster or schedule out yet, but I'm sure both will be posted within due time. 

2025-2026 NCAA DII Preview = HWT

 

Freddie Retter
Kutztown

The football field, the classroom, the wrestling mat...Freddie Retter spends most of his time taking the advice of Larry "The Cable Guy", because he is gettin er done.  A defensive lineman, he was a late but much welcomed addition to the wrestling team.  10-3 on the year he was 3rd at the Super Region I & 5th in the D2 nation. 

Tyler Doyle
Colorado Mesa

25-7 on the year, Tyler Doyle took home 7th place showings at both the Midwest Classic & the NCAA D2 tournament. Has 2nd & 3rd place showings at Super Region VI thus far. 

Carter Blough
Grand Valley State

A transfer of Michigan State, Carter Blough went 27-7 last season.  Making the finals of the Midwest Classic, he won a Super Region III title & finished 8th in the D2 nation. 

Isaac Sheeren
Lander

A native of Houston, Texas, Isaac Shereen went 23-9 on the season making the Super Region II finals & finishing one match shy of D2 All-American honors. 

Tyler Haynes
McKendree

Tyler Haynes heads into his junior season already a two-time NCAA DII qualifier with Super Region IV finishes of 3rd & 2nd. 

Cody Pinkerton
Chadron State

A two-time NJCAA All-American for Northwest CC, Cody Pinkerton had a great first year of NCAA D2 wrestling in '24-'25.  A Super Region VI runner-up, he stuck All-American Tyler Doyle in exactly one minute. 

Giulian Bodiu
Findlay

20-7 on the season, Giulian Bodiu finished one match shy of NCAA D2 qualification with a 4th place showing at Super Region III. 

Max Balow
Augustana (SD)

A bit of a rough start to the season for Max Balow, but he really turned it up at the Super Region V, nearly qualifying for nationals as he finished 4th. 

Gavin Harper
Wheeling

21 wins on the season for Gavin Harper who was 5th at Super Region I. 

Layton Schmick
East Stroudsburg

Layton Schmick was one match shy of a top 8 showing at the Midwest Classic & 6th at Super Region I. 

Willie Cox
Montevallo

19 wins on the year for the Alabama native who was 5th at Super Region II. 

Parker Bentley
West Liberty

23-9 & a 5th place showing at Super Region III for Parker Bentley in '24-'25. 

Jake Powell
Tiffin

6th at Super Region III, Jake Powell won 15 matches last season. A 1:33 fall over qualifier Cody Pinkerton. 

Carson Hatch
Cal Poly Humboldt

A Modesto CCCAA place-winner & a former Cal State Bakersfield Road Runner, Carson Hatch took a 6th place finish at Super Region VI last year. 

B.K. Seago
Ouachita Baptist

14 wins on the year for B.K. Seago who was 5th at Super Region IV. 

Henry Sturn
CSU-Pueblo

The California native finished 5th at Super Region VI last year. 

Caleb Wunsch
Newman

If your shoulders & the mat haven't been properly introduced yet, Caleb Wunsch would be more than happy to play match maker.  26 wins last season, 19 of them came via fall.  One match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic, he was 6th at Super Region IV.  A 4:43 fall over qualifier Cody Pinkerton. 

Liam Babbit
Minnesota State Moorhead

17 wins for the Alabama native last year, who was 5th at Super Region V

Colby Whitehill
Glenville State

14 wins on the year, Colby Whitehill took an 8th place finish at the Midwest Classic. 

Laith Ibrahim
Colorado School of Mines

Injuries got the best of Laith Ibrahim so '24-'25 didn't get to see him at his best, but '25-'26 very well could.  Glimpses of what is possible is a 4-1 s.v. over All-American Tyler Doyle & a 2-1 decison over R12'er Isaac Sheeren. 

Josh Gaye
Upper Iowa

Among his W's last season, Josh Gaye won a 9-5 match against qualifier Tyler Haynes. 

Kale Schrader
Newberry

Life can be full of pleasant surprises sometimes & I was happy to be informed that Kale Schrader has another year of eligibility.  15 wins on the season, qualified for the NCAA D2 championships with a 3rd place showing at Super Region II. 

2025-2026 NCAA DII Preview = 197 lbs

 

Max Ramberg
Augustana (SD)

A two-time NCAA DII All-American, Max Ramberg goes into his senior season with 4th & 5th place finishes in the D2 nation.  4th-3rd-2nd at Super Region V, he was 34-7 last year. 

Nick Johnson
Glenville State

A two-time Super Region III champion, Nick Johnson was 5th in the D2 nation this past season.  30-7 on the year, he also placed 3rd at the Midwest Classic. 

Marvelous Rutledge
Lander

26 wins on the season, Marvelous Rutledge was 2nd at Super Region II & 7th in the D2 nation. 

Wayne McIntyre
Kutztown

A two-time NCAA D2 qualifier with 3rd & 2nd place finishes at Super Region I, Wayne McIntyre was one match shy of D2 All-American honors last season. 

Eli Reese
Gannon 

13 wins on the year for Eli Reese who was 3rd at Super Region I. 

Austin Lewis
Frostburg State

12 wins on the year for Austin Lewis, one of which was a 2:39 fall over qualifier Kyler Pickard.  He finished 4th at Super Region I. 

Caleb Morgan
Belmont Abbey

15-4 on the year Caleb Moore finished one match shy of D2 qualification with a 4th place showing at Super Region II. 

Devon Bell
West Liberty

Devon Bell finished one match shy of D2 qualification with a 4th place finish at Super Region III. 

Diesel Koser
Shippensburg 

An NWCA Scholar All-American, Diesel Koser won 17 matches last season & placed 6th at Super Region I. 

Raife Smart
Mount Olive

19 wins on season for Raife Smart who was 5th at Super Region V. 

Lucas Salmon
Tiffin

Lucas Salmon has proven himself to be one of the best at 197 yet to make the NCAA D2 tournament.  Back-to-back 5th place showings at Super Region III, he was 6th at last year's Midwest Classic.  Among 19 wins, a 3-1 decision over R12'er Wayne McIntyre & a 4-0 win over qualifier Eli Reese. 

Evan Wakefield
Davenport

Evan Wakefield was 6th at Super Region III. 

Parker Henry
Ouachita Baptist

20 wins on the season, Parker Henry was 5th at Super Region IV. 

Geoff Freeman
Upper Iowa

When Geoff Freeman's NJCAA career came to an end two seasons ago, I called him the best of the time to never make NJCAA All-American honors.  In fact, I called him so good that I thought he may even be able to one day All-American at the next level, even though it never happened for him at the NJCAA level.  I still believe that.  Freeman was 6th at Super Region V last year, but what gives me merit, is a 13-12 win over R12'er Wayne McIntyre & a 13-7 decision over All-American Nick Johnson. 

Mason Villwok
Chadron State

16 wins on the season for Mason Villwok who was 5th at Super Region VI> 

Tyson Lien
Northern State

Tyson Lien won 17 matches this past season & was one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic. 

Jeff Tubbs
Montevallo

An Alabama native, Jeff Tubbs won 17 matches last season & had an impressive 7-2 decision over All-American Marvelous Rutledge. 

Marco Reyes
Mary

Batting .500 last season, Marco Reyes had a 9-3 decision over qualifier Eli Reese. 

John Parker Wilson
Newberry

Listed as a graduate student in '24-'25 & named by JT1Wrestle as one of the best in D2 not to All-American last season, imagine my surprise when I found out that John Parker Wilson, who I often refer to as JPW has another season of eligibility!  Very happy to hear this.  The two-time Super Region II champ, who also made the Midwest Classic finals last season, lost two heartbreaking 3-2 matches at nationals last season.  With the ability to reach that 100 win mark in '25-'26, he does own both a 4-0 & 5-4 decision over Marvelous Rutledge.