CLEVELAND — The 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships open Thursday, March 19 and run through Saturday, March 21 at Rocket Arena.
The field is has 330 stars compete for 10 titles and 80 slots to become All-Americans.
Follow along here for live updates, highlights and analysis:
NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships team scores after Day 1
NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships quarterfinal pairings
125 pounds
Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) vs. Dean Peterson (Iowa); Troy Spratly (Oklahoma State) vs. Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh); Jacob Moran (Indiana) vs. Jore Volk (Minnesota); Mac-Anthony McOwan (Princeton) vs. Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech)
133 pounds
Jax Forrest (Oklahoma State) vs. Markel Baker (NIU); Kyler Larkin (Arizona State) vs. Aaron Siedel (Virginia Tech); Marcus Blaze (Penn State) vs. Drake Ayala (Iowa); Lucas Byrd (Illinois) vs. Ben Davino (Ohio State)
141 pounds
Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) vs. Vance Vombaur (Minnesota); Luke Stanich (Lehigh) vs. Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State); Brock Hardy (Nebraska) vs. Vince Cornella (Cornell); Nassir Bailey (Iowa) vs. Sergio Vega (Oklahoma State)
149 pounds
Shane Van Ness (Penn State) vs. Casey Swiderski (Oklahoma State); Carter Young (Marland) vs. Chance Lamer (Nebraska); Cross Wasilewiski (Penn) vs. Lachlan McNeil (Michigan); Aden Valencia (Stanford) vs. Jaxon Joy (Cornell/Wadsworth)
157 pounds
PJ Duke (Penn State) vs. Brandon Cannon (Ohio State); Landon Robideau (Oklahoma State) vs. Kaleb Larkin (Arizona State); Meyer Shapiro (Cornell) vs. Ty Watters (West Virginia); Kannon Webster (Illinois) vs. Antrell Taylor (Nebraska)
165 pounds
Mitchell Messenbrink (Penn State) vs. Bryce Hepner (North Carolina/St. Edward); Cesar Alvan (Columbia) vs. Nicco Ruiz (Arizona State); Mikey Caliendo (Iowa) vs. EJ Parco (Stanford); Will Denny (NC State) vs. Joey Blaze (Purdue/Perrysburg)
174 pounds
Levi Haines (Penn State) vs. Beau Mantanona (Michigan); Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) vs. Carson Kharchla (Ohio State/Olentangy Liberty); Christopher Minto (Nebraska) vs. MJ Gaitan (Iowa State); Cam Steed (Missouir) vs. Danny Wask (Navy)
184 pounds
Rocco Welsh (Penn State) vs. Silas Allred (Nebraska); Max McEnelly (Minnesota) vs. Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming/Buckeye); Angelo Ferrari (Iowa) vs. Aeoden Sinclair (Missouri)
197 pounds
Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. Angelo Pasada (Stanford); Joey Novak (Wyoming) vs. Colton Hawks (Arizona State); Stephen Little (Little Rock) vs. Cam McDanel (Nebraska/Teays Valley)
285 pounds
Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) vs. Ben Kueter (Iowa); Juan Mora (Oklahoma) vs. A.J. Ferrari (Nebraska); Taye Ghadiali (Michigan) vs. Hunter Catka (Rutgers); Konner Doucet (Oklahoma State) vs. Isaac Trumble (NC State)
Ohio wrestlers alive on Day 2 in consolation
125: Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State); 149: Ethan Stiles (Ohio State); Austin McBurney (Brown); Brock Herman (Little Rock/Brecksville); Eugene Harney (Morgan State/Sycamore); 157: Jaivon Jones (Little Rock/Nordonia); 165: Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State/St. Edward); 165: Tyler Lillard (Indiana/Aurora); Sean Seefeldt (Penn/St. Edward)174: Logan Messer (George Mason/Wadsworth); Myles Takats (Bucknell/Perrysburg); 184: Dylan Fishback (Ohio State/Aurora); Sal Perrine (Ohio/Nordonia); 197: Zayne Lehman (Ohio/Revere); Luke Geog (Ohio State/St. Edward); 285: Nick Feldman (Ohio State)
Ohio wrestlers eliminated on the first day
133: Maximilian Leete (American) d. Dylan Shawver (Rutgers/Elyria), 4-1; 141: Jordan Titus (West Virginia) d. Julian Tagg (South Dakota State/Brecksville), 9-4; 149: Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) d. Kade Brown (Pitt/St. Edward); 157: Bryce Lowery (Indiana) d. Derek Raike (Ohio), 8-7; 165: Tyler Lillard (Indiana/Auora) pin Chris Earnest (Kent State/Wadsworth), 5:20; 174: Sergio Desiante (Virginia Tech) d. Garrett Thompson (Ohio), 5-2; 197: Branson John (Maryland) d. Blake Schaffer (Kent State/Louisville), 5-0; Mikey Squires (Binghamton) d. Ben Vanadia (Purdue/Brecksville), 8-2;
Juan Mora (Oklahoma) advances to quarterfinals
Juan Mora (Oklahoma) d. Nick Feldman (Ohio State), 4-2
Mora opens the second period with an escape and takedown. Feldman escapes to make it 4-1 after two. Feldman escapes in the third but his offense can’t muster anything the rest of the way.
Camden McDanel (Nebraska/Teays Valley) advances to quarterfinals
197: Camden McDanel (Nebraska) m.d. Justin Rademacher (Oregon State), 13-5
After a scoreless first period, Rademacher escaped and drew a penalty point, before McDanel scored a takedown. With the match tied at 3-3, McDanel scored an escape and three takedowns in the third period to score the major decision.
Aeoden Sinclair (Missouri) advances to the quarterfinals
184: Aeoden Sinclair (Missouri) d. Sal Perrine (Ohio/Nordonia), 4-0
After a scoreless first period, Sinclair started the second period down and escaped. Sinclair grabbed a single leg for a takedown and took a 4-0 lead after two. Perrine started the third period down. Sinclair rode Perrine long enough to get the riding point and secure the decision.
Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming/Buckeye) advances to quarterfinals
184: Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) d. Zack Ryder (Oklahoma State), 7-2
Neitenbach takes down Ryder and gives up an escape to go up two after one. The two trade escapes in the second and third. Neitenbach with a takedown late for the win.
Brock Mantanona (Michigan) advances to quarterfinals
184: Brock Mantanona (Michigan) m.d. Dylan Fishback (Ohio State), 13-5
Two takedowns and escapes makes it 6-2 Mantanona after one. Mantanano escapes early and scores a takedown midway through to go up eight Fishback escapes. Fishback with the escape and it’s 10-4. Manatona with a late takedown. Penalty point for Fishback.
Cam Steed (Missouri) advances to the quarterfinal
174: Cam Steed (Missouri) p. Myles Takats (Bucknell/Perrysburg), 2:06
Steed scored the first takedown off a go behind and then ocked in a cradle. He switched to chinlock and got the pin.
Carson Kharchla (Ohio State/Olentangy Liberty) advances to quarterfinals
174: Carson Kharchia (Ohio State) m.d. Daschle Lamer (Oregon State) 13-2
Kharchla hit a fireman’s carry for the first takedown before Lamer escaped. Kharchla started the second period down and reversed Lamer before he escaped. Kharchla started the third period down again. Lamer rode Kharchla long enough to get the point, but Kharchla escaped and put Lamer on his back to score a major decision.
Christopher Minto (Nebraska) advances to quarterfinals
174: Christopher Minto (Nebraska) m.d. Logan Messer (George Mason/Wadsworth), 11-3
Minto takes down Messer but gets reversed. He escapes and scores a takedown to go up 7-2 after one. Minto escapes to start the second. Messer takes down and escapes 30 seconds into the third period. Minto with a takedown late for the major.
Joey Blaze (Purdue/Perrysburg) advances to quarterfinals
165: Joey Blaze (Purdue) m.d. Connor Euton (Iowa State), 10-1
Blaze with a takedown to go up 3-0 after one. Blaze takes down and escapes to go up 4-0. Blaze with a takedown after two to make it a seven-point match. Euton takes down to start the third. Blaze lets Euton up to start the third. Blaze with another takedown for the major.
Bryce Hepner (North Carolina/St, Edward) advances to quarterfinal
165: Bryce Hepner (North Carolina) d. Matty Biachi (Little Rock), 3-0
Hepner nearly scored a takedown off a scramble, but the first period ended scoreless. Bianchi started the second period down, but Hepner drew a stalling point and rode Bianci for the full period. Hepner started the third period down and escaped. Off a scramble, Bianci scored the takedown, but it was challenged by North Carolina and wiped off. Hepner secured the win.
Mitchell Messenbrink (Penn State) advances to quarterfinals
165: Mitchell Messenbrink (Penn State) m.d. Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State/St. Edward)
Messenbrink scores a takedown and penalty point in the first and an escape and takedown in the second to go up 8-0. Two more penalty points and riding time make it a major decision.
Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) advances to quarterfinals
157: Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) d. Daniel Cardenas (Stanford), 8-7
Cannon scored a come-from-behind win after Cardenas scored the opening takedown in the first period and got another in the second. Trailing 6-2, Cannon took down to start the third, drew a stalling point and reversed Cardenas before letting him up. Cannon scored the decisive takedown with 32 seconds left and rode Cardenas out for the win.
Aden Valencia (Stanford) advances to quarterfinals
149: Aden Valencia (Stanford) d. Ethan Stiles (Ohio State), 7-5
After a scoreless first period, Stiles starts down and escapes in 20 seconds. He scores a takedown to push it to 4-0 heading to the third. Valencia took down, escaped and then kicked Stiles. Valencia with a late takedown takes the win.
Jaxon Joy (Cornell/Wadsworth) advances to quarterfinals
149: Jaxon Joy (Cornell/Wadsworth) d. Ryder Block (Iowa), 10-3
Joy with a takedown 39 seconds in. Block almost reverses him but Joy is smart enough to hold it to an escape. Joy in deep on a single leg but a stalemate is called. Block in deep late but Joy holds him off. It’s 3-1 Joy after one. Joy chooses down to start the second period. Joy escapes with 1:09 left but Block kills all but one second of riding time down. Joy almost scores immediately on a single leg. It’s 7-1 heading to the third. Block goes neutral to start the third. Joy with a takedown. He gets reversed but holds on for the win.
Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) advances to quarterfinals
141: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) t.f. Caedyn Ricciardi (Navy), 22-6
Mendez grabbed a leg and put Ricciardi on his back to take an early 7-0 lead. Ricciardi escaped, but Mendeze score two more quick takedowns. Mendez then locked in a nearside cradle to get another takedown. He let Ricciadi up to make it 16-4 after one period. Ricciardi chose down and escaped to start the second period, but Mendez spun behind for another takedown. A single leg from Mendez gave him the technical fall.
Ben Davino (Ohio State) advances to quarterfinals
133: Ben Davino (Ohio State) t.f. Tyler Knox (Standford), 21-6
Davino dominated procedings vs. Knox, scoring six takedowns on his way to the technical fall win.
Lucas Byrd (Illinois/LaSalle) advances to quarterfinals
133: Lucas Byrd (Illinois) d. Braxton Brown (Maryland), 5-1
Byrd scored what turned out to be the lone takedown of the match in the first minute. He escaped to start the second period. Although he was called for stalling in the third period, he also gained a point for riding time to get the decision.
Marcus Blaze (Penn State/Perrysburg) advances to quarterfinals
133: Marcus Blaze (Penn State) t.f. Gage Walker (Missouri), 17-2
Blaze drew a stalling point from Walker in the first period and then pust Waler on his back for a seven-point move. Up 8-0 after one period, Blaze started the second down and reversed Walker. Walker escaped, but Blaze pushed out of a headlock attempt for a takedown. Walker escaped to make it 13-2 after two periods. Blaze escaped to start the third period. He then spun behind to get the technical fall.
Jacob Moran (Indiana) advances to quarterfinals
125: Jacob Moran (Indiana) m.d. Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State), 10-2
Moran scored two takedowns in the first period and another in the second to go up 9-2 after two. He escaped in the third and the Hoosiers picked up a bonus point win.
A national championship rematch in the round of 16? You betcha
How wild are the NCAA Division I National Championships? NC State’s Vincent Robinson won in ultimate tiebreaker last year over Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley to win the title at 125. Fast forward a year and it’s a round of 16 match the No. 5 Spratley and No. 12 Robinson. Spratley got his revenge with a takedown to Robinson’s back late in the second and won 8-5.
NCAA Division I National Championships Team Score after first session
1. Penn State 22.5, 2. Iowa 15, 3. Ohio State, Oklahoma State 14.5, 5. Iowa State 14, 6. Nebraska 13, 7. Cornell, Stanford 10, 9. Minnesota 9.5, 10. Arizona State 9
NCAA Division I National Championships Tournament Round of 16 pairings
125 pounds
Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) vs. Jett Strickenberger (West Virginia); Maximo Renteria (Oregon State) vs Dean Peterson (Iowa); Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) vs. Vincent Robinson (North Carolina State); Stevo Poulin (Iowa State) vs. Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh); Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) vs. Jacob Moran (Indiana); Tyler Klinsky (Rider) vs. Jore Vork (Minnesota); Nico Provo (Stanford) vs. Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton); Spencer Moore (Illinois) vs. Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech)
133 pounds
Jax Forrest (Oklahoma State) vs. T.K. Davis (Gardner-Webb); Dominick Serrano (Northern Colorado) vs. Markel Baker (Northern Illinois); Kyler Larkin (Arizona State) vs. Evan Mougalian (Penn); Julian Farber (Northern Iowa) vs. Aaron Seidel (Virginia Tech); Marcus Blaze (Penn State/Perrysburg) vs. Gage Walker (Missouri); Tyler Ferrera (Cornell) vs. Drake Ayala (Iowa); Lucas Byrd (Illinois/La Salle) vs. Braxton Brown (Maryland); Tyler Knox (Stanford) vs. Ben Davino (Ohio State)
141 pounds
Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) v. Caedyn Ricciardi (Navy); Nash Singleton (Oregon State) vs. Vance Vombaur (Minnesota); Luke Stanich (Lehigh) vs. Tyler Wells (Oklahoma); Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) vs. Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State); Brock Hardy (Nebraska) vs. Braeden Davis (Penn State); C.J. Cpmposto (Penn) vs. Vince Cornella (Cornell); Nasir Bailey (Iowa) vs. Jack Consiglio (Stanford); Elijah Griffin (Rider) vs. Sergio Verga (Oklahoma State)
149 pounds
Shane Van Ness (Penn State) vs. Jacob Frost (Iowa State); David Evans (Virginia) vs. Casey Swiderski (Oklahoma State); Koy Buesgens (NC State) vs. Carter Young (Maryland); Chance Lamer (Nebraska) vs. Collin Gaj (Virginia Tech); Cross Wasilewski (Penn) vs. Caleb Rathjen (UNI); Lachlan McNeil (Michigan) vs. Caleb Tyus (SIE); Ethan Stiles (Ohio State) vs. Aden Valencia (Stanford); Ryder Block (Iowa) vs. Jaxon Joy (Cornell/Wadsworth)
157 pounds
P.J. Duke (Penn State) vs. Luke Mechler (Wisconsin); Daniel Cardenas (Stanford) vs. Brandon Cannon (Ohio State); Landon Robideau (Oklahoma State) vs. Charlie Millard (Minnesota) ; Jimmy Harrington (Harvard) vs. Kaleb Larkin (Arizona State); Meyer Shapiro (Cornell) vs. Ethen Miller (Virginia Tech); Ty Watters (West Virginia) vs. Jude Swisher (Penn); Kanon Webster (Illinois) vs. Logan Rozynski (Lehigh); Cameron Catrabone (Michigan) vs. Antrell Taylor (Nebraska)
165 pounds
Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) vs. Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State/St. Edward); Josh Hepner (North Carolina/St. Edward) vs. Matty Bianchi (Little Rock); LaDarion Lockett (Oklahoma State) vs. Cesar Alvan (Columbia); Andrew Sparks (Minnesota) vs. Nicco Ruiz (Arizona State); Mikey Caliendo (Iowa) vs. Noah Mulvaney (Bucknell); Ryder Downey (UNI) vs. EJ Parco (Stanford); Max Brignola (Lehigh) vs. Will Denny (NC State); Connor Euton (Iowa State) vs. Joey Blaze (Purdue)
184 pounds
Rocco Welsh (Penn State) vs. Rylan Rogers (Lehigh); Chris Moore (Illinois) vs. Silas Allred (Nebraska); Brock Mantanona (Michigan) vs. Dylan Fishback (Ohio State/Aurora); Brian Soldano (Oklahoma) vs. James Conway (Franklin and Marshall); Max McEnelly (Minnesota) vs. Jaden Bullock (Virginia Tech); Zack Ryder (Oklahoma State) vs. Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming/Buckeye); Angelo Ferrari (Iowa) vs. Caleb Campos (America); Sal Perrine (Ohio/Nordonia) vs. Aedon Sinclair (Missouri)
197 pounds
Josh Barr (Penn State) vs. Dillon Bechtold (Bucknell); Angelo Posada (Stanford) vs. Evan Bates (Missouri); Joey Novak (Wyoming) vs. Rune Lawrence (West Virginia); Bennett Berge (South Dakota State) vs. Colton Hawks (Arizona State); Stephen Little (Little Rock) vs. Zayne Lehman (Ohio/Revere); Camden McDaniel (Nebraska) vs. Justin Rademacher (Oregon State); Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State) vs. Mac Stout (Pittsburgh); Remy Cotton (Rutgers) vs. Rocky Elam (Iowa State);
285 pounds
Younger Basida (Iowa State) vs. Jimmy Mullen (Virginia Tech); Cole Mirasola (Penn State) vs. Ben Kueter (Iowa); Nick Feldman (Ohio State) vs. Juan Mora (Oklahoma); Dayton Pitzer (Pitt) vs. A.J. Ferrari (Nebraska); Taye Ghadiali (Michigan) vs. Koy Hopke (Minnesota); Devon Dawson (NIU) vs. Hunter Catka (Rutgers); Konner Doucet (Oklahoma State) vs. David Szuba (Arizona State); Brady Colbert (Army) vs. Isaac Trumble)
Nick Feldman (Ohio State) advances to round of 16
285: Nick Feldman (Ohio State) d. Jarrett Stoner (Missouri), 5-4
After a scoreless first period, Stoner took down to start the second, escaped and got a takedown on Feldman. Feldman escaped, chose down to start the third period and escaped to cut it to 4-2. Feldman shot in on Stoner late and got the decisive takedown with six left.
Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State) advances to round of 16
197: Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State) t.f. Ben Vanadia (Purdue), 18-3
Brecksville native Ben Vanadia opening his tournament against Oklahoma State’s Cody Merrill. Merrill scored the first takedown late in the first period and took down to start the second period. He escaped and scored a takedown on Vanadia. Merrill then drew a stalling point and another takedoown. Vanadia escaped to open the third period, but Merrill scored two more takedowns to score the technical fall.
Rune Lawrence (West Virginia) advances to round of 16
197: Luke Geog (Ohio State) d. Rune Lawrence (West Virginia), 9-6, OT
Geog got the first takedown and led 3-1 after one period. Lawrence started the second period down and escaped. Geog shot on Lawrence and got the takedown before Lawrence escaped again. Lawrence came back with shot and takedown to tie the match before Geog drew a stalling call. Starting the third period neutral, Geog looked to secure a takedown, but it was waved off. Ohio State challenged, but the challenge was not upheld. The match went to sudden victory tied at 6-6. In sudden victory, Lawrence came out of scramble with the takedown to get the win.
Camden McDanel (Nebraska/Teays Valley) advances to round of 16
197: Camden McDanel (Nebraska) d. Devin Wasley (North Dakota State), 7-2
Wasley took a 1-0 lead into the third period but McDanel took off in the third with an escape and two takedowns to advance.
Zayne Lehman (Ohio/Revere) advances to round of 16
197: Zayne Lehman (Ohio) d. Gabe Sollars (Indiana), 6-4
A stalling warning in each period on Lehman gives Sollars a 1-0 lead. Sollars escapes to go up two but Lehman takes Sollars down, kicks him and then takes him down with 50 seconds left. Riding time is added.
Josh Barr (Penn State) advances to round of 16
Josh Barr (Penn State) d. Blake Schaffer (Kent State/Louisville), 20-4
Barr blitzes Schaffer with five takedowns and two nearfalls to blow things open at 17-3 after two. Schaffer escapes to start the third but a takedown with 1:17 left ends it.
Sal Perrine (Ohio/Nordonia) advances to round of 16
184: Sal Perrine (Ohio) d. Jake Dailey (North Carolina), 9-3
Perrine took control with two takedowns in the first period to lead 6-2 after one. Perrine then escaped to start the second period. Dailey escaped to start the third period, but Perrine drew a penalty point and riding time point to score the win.
Dylan Fishback (Aurora/Ohio State) advances to round of 16
184: Dylan Fishback (Ohio State) d. Tomas Brooker (Appalachian State), 8-6
Fishback spun behind to get the first takedown before Brooker escaped. Fishback spun behind for a second takedown before Brooker escaped again. Up 6-2 after one period, Fishback started the second period down and escaped quickly. Brooker started the third period down. Fishback was called for stalling, but rode Brooker long enough to get the riding time advantage before Brooker escaped. Brooker then nearly put Fishback on his back to cut it to 7-6. Brooker then stood Fishback up. Fishback held on for the win.
Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming/Buckeye) advances to round of 16
184: Eddie Neitenbach (Wyoming) m.d. Aiden Brenot (North Dakota State), 14-1
Neitenbach scores a takedown 46 seconds in. Brenot escapes with 43 seconds left but is taken down seven seconds later and it’s 6-1 after one. An escape and takedown in the second period blows things open. Another takedown and riding time earns the major.
Myles Takats (Bucknell/Perrysburg) advances to round of 16
174: Myles Takats (Bucknell) d. Luca Augustine (Pitt), 6-4
Augustine scores a takedown a minute in. Takats escapes and it’s 3-1 after one. The two trade escapes in the second and third period. Takats scores a takedown at the buzzer and is awarded riding time.
Carson Kharchla (Ohio State/Olentangy Liberty) advances to round of 16
174: Carson Kharchla (Ohio State) d. Avery Basset (Lock Haven), 8-3
Ohio State’s Carson Kharchla took command early in his opening match with two first-period takedowns on Lock Haven’s Avery Bassett. Bassett escaped to start the second period and then drew a satlling point from Kharchla in the third, but Kharchla got a reversal to insure the win.
Logan Messer (George Mason/Wadsworth) advances to round of 16
174: Logan Messer (George Mason) d. Moses Owens-Espinoza (South Dakota State), 6-3, OT
Messer opened the second with an escape but was taken down with 1:19 left in the period. He escaped 22 seconds later to make it 3-2 after two. He rode out Owens-Espinoza in the third to take it to overtime and scored a takedown 26 seconds in for the win.
Beau Mantanona (Michigan) advances to round of 16
174: Beau Mantanona (Michigan) d. Garrett Thompson (Ohio), 7-3
Mantanona did most of his scoring in the first period with two takedowns encasing a pair of Thompson takedown. Each traded escapes to end it.
Conorr Euton (Iowa State/Westerville North) advances to round of 16
165: Connor Euton (Iowa State) t.f. Gunner Fillipowicz (Army), 17-2
Euton scored a takedown with seven seconds left in the first period. In the second, from the top. Euton turned Fillipowicz for a four-point nearfall and a three-point nearfall before Filipowicz escaped. Euton started the third period down and then scored a pair of takedowns to get the technical fall.
Max Brignola (Lehigh) advances to the round of 32
165: Max Brignola (Lehigh) d. Ty Lillard (Indiana) b. Max Brignola 3-2, UTB
Lillard did his trademark splits to avoid a pair of takedowns and keep the first period scoreless. Brignola chose down to start the second period and escaped. Lillard chose down to start the third period and escaped in under 30 seconds. Two more scrambles yielded two more stalemates, forcing the match to sudden victory at 1-1. Lillard shot in with about 1 minute left and looked to secure the takedown. After official review, it was waved off with 42 seconds left in the sudden victory. The match went to the tie breakers. Lillard started the first tiebreaker down and was unable to score. Brignola was then stood up to start the second tie breaker. Brignola won the match, thanks to a riding time advantage.
Joey Blaze (Purdue/Perrysburg) advances to round of 16
Joey Blaze (Purdue) d. Jared Kessler (Pitt), 5-0
Blaze scores a takedown a minute into things to go up 3-0. After a scoreless second period, Blaze is awarded a stalling point. He picks up a riding time point.
Will Denny (NC State) advances to round of 16
165: Will Denny (NC State) m.d. Chris Earnest (Kent State/Wadsworth), 13-1
Denny scores a takedown with 55 seconds left to go up 3-0 after one. An escape and takedown in the final minute gives Denny a 7-0 lead. Denny takes down to start the third and reverses Earnest 23 seconds in. Earnest escapes in the final 30 seconds but is taken down. Riding time is added.
Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State/St. Edward) advances to round of 16
165: Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State) m.d. Braeden Scoles (Illinois) 13-4
Ohio State’s Paddy Gallagher started his tournament against Illinois’ Braeden Scoles. Gallagher fended off a shot in the first period then scored a double-leg of his own for a takedown. Scoles escaped to make it 3-1 after one period. The second period started neutral and Gallagher shot into a takedown to take a 6-1 lead. Scoles escaped and Gallaghe did the splits to fend off a takedown at the end of the second. Scoles started the third period down. Gallagher rode Scoles long enough to get a riding time bonus before Scole escaped. Gallagher hit anothe double leg for a takedown before letting Scoles up and hitting another takedown, forcing injury time. Gallgher won by major decision.
Bryce Hepner (North Carolina/St. Edward) advances to round of 16
165: Bryce Hepner (North Carolina/St. Edward) d. Sean Seefeldt (Penn/St. Edward), 11-4
In a battle of former Eagles, Hepner and Seefeldt were scoreless after one. Hepner scores two takedowns in the second period around an escape from Seefeldt. A pair of Seefeldt escapes sandwich a Hepner takedown. Riding time is added for Hepner.
Jimmy Harrington (Harvard) advances to round of 16
157: Jimmy Harrington (Harvard) d. Derek Raike (Ohio), 4-1, OT
After trading escapes in the second and third period, Harrington and Raike went to overtime. Harrington ended it 36 second in to advance.
Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) advances to round of 16
157: Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) d. Mason Shrader (Central Michigan), 10-4
Cannon starts with a bang with a takedown. Shrader escapes. Cannon with a reversal to begin the second and 5-1 after two. Cannon escapes to start the third but is taken down to close things to two. He takes Shraders down, is awarded a stall and riding time to win.
Daniel Cardenas (Stanford) advances to round of 32
157: Daniel Cardenas (Sanford) d. Javion Jones (Little Rock/Nordonia), 7-2
Nordonia graduate Jaivon Jones took on Stanford’s Daniel Cardenas i nthe first round. Cardenas scored two takedowns in the first period to take a 6-1 lead and then escaped to start the second. Down 7-1 after two periods, Jones started the third period down and escaped. Jones was unable to generate any more offense and lost.
Ethan Stiles (Ohio State) advances to round of 16
149: Ethan Stiles (Ohio State) m.d. Nathan Heap (Davidson), 10-2
Two takedowns and an escape makes it 6-1 Stiles escapes to start the second. Heap escapes to start the third but is taken down for the Stiles major.
Caleb Rathjen (Northern Iowa) advances to round of 16
149: Caleb Rathjen (Northern Iowa) d. Brock Herman (Little Rock/Brecksville), 3-1
Brecksville native Brock Herman faced Northern Iowa’s Caleb Rathjen to open his tournament. A scramble yielded nothing in the first period. A second saw Herman squirt behind for takedown, but it was overturned on official review. It ened up a scoreless first period and Herman started the second period down. Rathjen rode Herman for the entire second period and drew a stalling point. Rathjen started the third period down and escaped quickly. Herman drew a stalling point in the third period, but lost.
Ryder Block (Iowa) advances to round of 16
Ryder Block (Iowa) m.d. Eugene Harney (Morgan State/Sycamore), 10-2
Block has a takedown and gives up an escape in each of the first two periods to go up 6-2. He escapes and scores a takedown to win by major.
Jaxon Joy (Cornell/Wadsworth) advances to round of 16
149: Jaxon Joy (Cornell/Wadsworth) t.f. Ryan Michaels (Edinboro) 16-1
Joy scores a takedown almost immediately and shows his gumby-like reaction by not giving up a reverse. Joy goes optional to start back up and gives up a point. Joy ankle picks to another takedown and picks up four backs. Michaels on his back with a cradle to go up 14-1 after one. Michael defers. Joy takes down. Joy with the reverse to end it.
Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) advances to round of 32
141: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) p. Aldo Hernandez (Appalachian State) 2:14
Two-time defending national champion Jesse Mendez opened his tournament by taking on Aldo Hernandez of Appalachian State. Mendez got a pair of quick takdowns in the first 30 seconds and allowed Hernandez to escape. He then spun behind for a third takedown before standing Hernandez up. Mendez got his fourth takedown, put Henandez on his bakc and got the pin.
Koy Buesgens (NC State) advances to round of 16
149: Koy Buesgens (NC State) d. Kade Brown (Pitt/Hinckley resident), 4-0
Buesgens was effective with a takedown one minutes in and an escape in the second to shut out the St. Edward graduate.
Shane Van Ness (Penn State) advances to the round of 16
149: Shane Van Ness (Penn State) t.f. Austin McBurney (Brown/Perry), 19-4
Van Ness in on a single but McBurney but the Perry star holds him off. Van Nees scores with 57 left and holds on to go up 3-0 after one. Van Ness chooses down. Van Ness opens up with four takedowns and gives up three escapes in the second period. McBurney escapes to start the third but a takedown ends things 34 seconds into the third.
Ben Davino (Ohio State) advances to the round of 32
133: Ben Davino (Ohio State) t.f. Gable Strickland (Lock Haven), 17-2
Ohio State 133 pounder Ben Davino snatched an early takedown on Lock Haven’s Gable Stickland and got a two-point nearfall. After an escape, Davino put Stickland on his back again to take a 12-1 lead. Stickland was able to escape, but Davino shot in for another takedown to take a 15-1 lead after one. After Stickland escaped to start the second period, Davino escaped to start the third to score the technical fall.
Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) advances to round of 16
141: Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) m.d. Julian Tagg (South Dakota State/Brecksville), 10-2
Henson sandwiches two takedowns around two escapes to go up 6-2 after one. After a scoreless second period, he escapes and takes down Tagg to win by major decision.
Lucas Byrd (Illinois/LaSalle) advances to the round of 32
133: Lucas Byrd (Illinois) d. Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) 11-7
An all Ohio matchup between Lucas Byrd and Dylan Shawver got rolling in the first round. Byrd is a defending national champion. Byrd threw Shawver at the end of the first period, but didn’t have enough time to get backpoints. Shawver started the second period down. Byrd rode him for more than a minute before getting called for stalling. Shawver escaped and got takedown, but Byrd then reversed it, giving Byrd a 5-4 lead heading into the third. Shawver got a takedown to start the third to take the lead, but Byrd escaped and got behind to get a takedown. Added a point for more than a minute of riding time.
Marcus Blaze (Penn State/Perrysburg) advances to round of 16
133: Marcus Blaze (Penn State/) t.f. Gabe Whisenhunt (Oregon State), 17-2
Blaze scores a takedown and accumulates 61 seconds of riding time to go up 3-0 after one. He escapes early and scores another takedown 24 seconds later. An escape puts Whisenhunt on the board, but Blaze takes him down to his back. It’s 14-1. It goes to the third. Whisenhunt escapes but it ends on a takedown.
Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) advances to round of 32
125: Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) d. Salymahan Bah (Columbia), 9-5
Bouzakis scored the opening takedown in the first period and escaped to start the second period, but Bah got a takedown. Bouzakis reversed Bah, but Bah escaped to make it 6-4 after two. Starting the third period neutral. After a stalling call, Bouzakis shot in and got a takedown with about 30 seconds left. Bah escapes, but Bouzakis won a decision.
Blake Schaffer (Kent State/Louisville) advances into the round of 32
197: Blake Schaffer (Kent State) d. Mack Mauger (Missouri), 4-2
Schaffer scores a takedown immediately and kicks him. It’s 3-1 Schaffer after one. Mauger escapes to make it 3-2. Schaffer has riding time heading into the third and Mauger won’t be able to flip the script. Schaffer escapes and holds on for the win.
Austin McBurney (Brown/Perry) advances into the round of 32
149: Austin McBurney (Brown) d. Clayton Jones (Michigan State), 11-9 in rat tail
Clayton in early on a takedown. McBurney whizzers down and forces a stalemate with 2:11 left in the first. Clayton finally figures McBurney out and takes whim down with 40 seconds to go. McBurney escapes and it’s 1-0. McBurney chooses down to start the second and escapes but Clayton has 1:15 of riding time accumulated. McBurney takes Clayton down with 38 seconds left to go up 5-3. Clayton escape with 14 seconds left and scores a takedown at the buzzer. It’s 7-5, Clayton. McBurney kicks Clayton to start the third. McBurney on a takedown with 1:03 left. He kicks immediately and scores another takedown with 50 seconds left. McBurney holds on to win.
Aurora’s Tyler Lillard hoping for happy homecoming with Indiana wrestling
Tyler Lillard’s like several others among the 28 Ohio natives competing in the NCAA championships. It’s going to be an opportunity to compete in what is essentially his backyard.
The former Aurora High School state champion is making his debut at the national tournament as a redshirt junior for Indiana University. He’ll wrestle Lehigh’s Max Brignola in a 165-pound opening-round match.
“It’s just an honor,” Lillard told the Beacon Journal during a practice the day before the tournament. “It’s a blessing. God brings you back to some moments to kind of show you how far you’ve come. And I think this is a big moment for me. It’s a full circle. I got friends and family up here and I got a good community up here. I got my roots. And yeah, just God is good to bring you back in this moment. So it’s a special honor to even be here. But at the same time, coaches try to instill to us we deserve to be here, right? So I just keep reminding myself, ‘Hey, you earned this moment. Don’t feel like, oh, you’re lucky.’ Still it’s a blessing, but I deserve it. So it’s great. It’s a great feeling.”
Where can I watch the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships?
ESPN will have all six rounds on the ESPN App. Here’s where you can watch each session:
12 p.m. Thursday, March 19: Session I, ESPN2; 7:00 p.m., Session II, ESPN; 12 p.m. Friday, March 20: Session III, ESPNU; 8:00 p.m., Session IV, ESPN2; 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21: Medal rounds, ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.: Finals, ESPN
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2026 schedule
Pairings can be found here: https://www.ncaa.com/_flysystem/public-s3/files/2026%20NCAA%20DI%20Brackets.pdf
What Greater Akron/Canton wrestlers are in the tournament?
What other Ohioans are in the 2026 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships?
Who is the returning team champion? Are there any individual champions?
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: NCAA wrestling national championships 2026, Day 1 recap, updates
Reporting by Brad Bournival and Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
