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Photo: Sam Janicki

Sanderson announced as NCAA Division I Coach of the Year

Cael Sanderson has been announced as the 2026 NCAA Division I Coach of the Year by The Open Mat after leading Penn State to another historic season. The Nittany Lions captured their fifth straight NCAA team title in dominant fashion, breaking their own scoring record.

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Forrest honored as NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year

Jax Forrest of Oklahoma State has been named the 2026 NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat after winning a national title in his debut season. He finished the season with a perfect 18-0 record.
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Iowa State adds NAIA All-American Craft

The Iowa State women's wrestling program has added its third commitment in a matter of days, continuing a strong early push in building its roster. Campbellsville transfer Makennah Craft, an NAIA All-American as a freshman, announced that she will join the Cyclones.
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Welker named NCAA Women's Wrestler of the Year

Iowa's Kylie Welker has been named the 2026 NCAA Women's Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat after another dominant season. Welker, a two-time senior world bronze medalist, capped an undefeated 2025–26 campaign by winning the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling national championship at 180 pounds. It was her third straight collegiate national title.

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caelfeature

Sanderson announced as NCAA Division I Coach of the Year

Cael Sanderson has been announced as the 2026 NCAA Division I Coach of the Year by The Open Mat after leading Penn State to another historic season. The Nittany Lions captured their fifth straight NCAA team title in dominant fashion, breaking their own scoring record.
jaxforrestfeature

Forrest honored as NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year

Jax Forrest of Oklahoma State has been named the 2026 NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat after winning a national title in his debut season. He finished the season with a perfect 18-0 record.
craftfeature

Iowa State adds NAIA All-American Craft

The Iowa State women's wrestling program has added its third commitment in a matter of days, continuing a strong early push in building its roster. Campbellsville transfer Makennah Craft, an NAIA All-American as a freshman, announced that she will join the Cyclones.
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NAIA All-American Lachinsky commits to Life U

Grace Lachinsky will continue her collegiate wrestling career at Life University after a standout season at Lindsey Wilson, highlighted by an All-America finish.
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Welker named NCAA Women's Wrestler of the Year

Iowa's Kylie Welker has been named the 2026 NCAA Women's Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat after another dominant season. Welker, a two-time senior world bronze medalist, capped an undefeated 2025–26 campaign by winning the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling national championship at 180 pounds. It was her third straight collegiate national title.
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McCall named head wrestling coach at The Citadel

The Citadel has named Tim McCall as its new head wrestling coach following a nationwide search conducted during the offseason.
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Purdue signs NJCAA national champ Richens

The Purdue Boilermakers have added a key piece to their roster with the signing of junior college standout Austin Richens. Richens arrives in West Lafayette following a dominant two-year run at Northwest College, where he capped his sophomore campaign by winning the 2026 NJCAA national title at 285 pounds.
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Garcia named NCAA Women's Coach of the Year

Alexio Garcia has been named the 2026 NCAA Women's Coach of the Year by The Open Mat after leading McKendree to a historic 2025–26 season. Garcia guided the Bearcats to the inaugural NCAA women's wrestling national championship.
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Chander named men's head coach at Utica

Pankil Chander has been named head coach of the Utica University men's wrestling program, becoming just the third head coach in program history and ushering in a new era for the Pioneers.
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Iowa State adds Olympian, two-time NAIA champ Ogunsanya

Olympian and William Penn standout Christianah Ogunsanya has committed to Iowa State, giving the Cyclones another major addition as the program continues to build its inaugural roster.
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Jimenez tabbed NCAA Women's Freshman of the Year

Audrey Jimenez of Lehigh delivered one of the most dominant freshman seasons in recent memory, earning The Open Mat's 2026 NCAA Women's Freshman of the Year honors. Jimenez was an undefeated national champion with a 100% bonus rate.
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Iowa State signs NAIA national champ Fowler

The Iowa State Cyclones women's wrestling program added a major piece to its inaugural roster Tuesday, signing Piper Fowler, a transfer from William Penn University with an already decorated resume at both the collegiate and international levels.
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Kouekabakilaho named NAIA Men's Wrestler of the Year

Garavous Kouekabakilaho of Grand View has been named The Open Mat's 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestler of the Year after a dominant senior season that ended with a third national title and helped power the Vikings to another historic run.
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Henderson honored as NAIA Men's Coach of the Year

Grant Henderson made an immediate impact at the helm of Grand View University, earning The Open Mat's NAIA Men's Coach of the Year honors after leading the Vikings through a dominant 2025-26 season.
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Pacheco named NAIA Men's Freshman of the Year

Braydon Pacheco of Friends University turned in one of the top freshman seasons in NAIA men's wrestling, earning All-America honors in his first year of collegiate competition. For his performance, Pacheco was named The Open Mat's 2026 NAIA Men's Freshman of the Year.
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All-American Smith commits to Ohio State

Jaxon Smith, an NCAA All-American who began his collegiate career at Maryland, will finish his career at Ohio State. He announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Monday after entering the transfer portal.
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Rodriguez honored as NAIA Women's Wrestler of the Year

Cristelle Rodriguez of Doane has been named the 2026 NAIA Women's Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat. Rodriguez closed out a dominant senior season by capturing her third consecutive national championship, recording four technical falls at the 2026 NAIA Women's Wrestling Championships.
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Flavin named NAIA Women's Coach of the Year

For the second straight season, Ashley Flavin of Life University has been named The Open Mat's NAIA Women's Coach of the Year. Flavin led the Running Eagles to their second consecutive NAIA women's wrestling national championship.
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Fowler announced as NAIA Women's Freshman of the Year

Piper Fowler won a national title as a freshman at 180 pounds for William Penn. On Monday, Fowler was announced at the 2026 NAIA Women's Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat.
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Iowa adds world bronze medalist Burkert to coaching staff

World bronze medalist Jenna Burkert has been named an assistant coach for the University of Iowa women's wrestling program, head coach Clarissa Chun announced Friday.
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Norman commits to Oklahoma State

Lorenzo Norman is headed to Stillwater. The Stanford transfer announced Thursday on social media that he will be joining Oklahoma State, giving the Cowboys another impact wrestler through the portal.
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Maldonado joins ISU men's wrestling staff as assistant coach

Former Little Rock associate head coach Javier Maldonado has been added to the Iowa State men's wrestling staff as an assistant coach.

Olivet adds women's wrestling program

The University of Olivet will add women's wrestling this fall, expanding its nationally recognized wrestling tradition and aligning with one of the fastest-growing sports at the collegiate level. Olivet will be among a small but growing group of institutions in Michigan sponsoring women's wrestling.