A History of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships

The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships have a rich history, showcasing the talent and dedication of collegiate wrestlers across the nation. Officially sponsored by the NCAA, these championships have been held annually since their inception in 1963, marking over six decades of competitive wrestling at the Division II level.

Overview of the Championship

The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships is a high-stakes, double-elimination tournament designed to identify the best individual wrestlers and teams in Division II. It features participants in ten distinct weight classes, ensuring a broad range of athletes can compete. Each year, sixteen wrestlers in every weight class earn their place in the championships through success in four "Super Regional" tournaments, making the competition fierce and the stakes incredibly high.

Beyond the prestige of winning a national title, the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships also serves to determine the Division II All-America team. This recognition honors the top wrestlers in each weight class, further motivating athletes to perform at their peak during the tournament.

Early History and Evolution

In the early years, the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships had a unique connection to the Division I championships. Until 1989, the Division II finalists were given the opportunity to advance to the Division I championships, which were held the following week. This allowed exceptional athletes to potentially earn All-American recognition in both divisions within the same season, highlighting the talent present in Division II wrestling.

NCAA Division II National Championships Results

The Nebraska-Kearney Lopers clinched the title at the NCAA Division II National Championships with a commanding score of 115.0 points. Augustana (SD) secured the second position with 63.0 points, followed by St. Cloud State in third place with 57.5 points. Lander University finished fourth with 56.0 points, while Central Oklahoma rounded out the top five with 55.5 points.

The rest of the teams finished as follows: UMary (51.0), Central Missouri (43.0), Kutztown (42.5), Maryville (MO) (39.0), West Liberty (38.5), UIndy (38.0), Glenville State (36.0), Pitt-Johnstown (33.5), Grand Valley State and McKendree (32.0), Gannon (31.0), Colorado Mesa and Minnesota State (30.0), Wis.-Parkside (28.0), Tiffin (27.5), San Francisco State (22.0), Adams State (21.0), King (TN) (20.5), Lake Erie (18.0), Chadron State (16.0), Western Colorado (15.5), Fort Hays State (15.0), Ouachita Baptist (13.5), Fairmont State (12.0), Upper Iowa (9.0), Ashland (8.5), Belmont Abbey and Minot State (8.0), Newman (7.5), MSU Moorhead (6.0), Mount Olive (4.0), UNC Pembroke (3.5), Frostburg State and Newberry (3.0), Quincy (1.0), N.M. Highlands and Seton Hill (0.5), and American Int’l, Coker, Colo. School of Mines, CSU Pueblo, Drury, Felician, Millersville, and Montevallo (0.0).

Individual Results

125 lbs

Jakason Burks of Central Missouri emerged as the champion, defeating Zachary Ourada of Nebraska-Kearney with a 5-2 decision. Jaxson Rohman of Augustana (SD) secured third place, pinning Trevon Gray of Pitt-Johnstown. Shane Corrigan of Wis.-Parkside took fifth place with a decision over Anthony Aniciete of Tiffin, and Dayson Torgerson of Colorado Mesa claimed seventh place with a major decision over Colton Drousias of Glenville State.

133 lbs

Reece Barnhardt from UMary clinched first place, triumphing over Peter Rolle of Central Oklahoma with a 10-4 decision. Christian Davis of Lander secured third place with a major decision over James Anderson of Ouachita Baptist. Hector Serratos of Nebraska-Kearney took fifth place with a major decision over Sam Spencer of St. Cloud State, while Jeremiah Echevarria of Gannon finished seventh with a decision over Max Shore of Tiffin.

141 lbs

Johnny Lopez of San Francisco State secured first place, defeating Khyvon Grace of West Liberty with an 8-7 decision. Sean Solis of UMary took third place with a decision over Joseph Airola of Nebraska-Kearney. Colton Stoneking of Fairmont State finished fifth with a major decision over Isham Peace of Lander, while Ronan Schuelke of McKendree claimed seventh place with a major decision over Luke Kunath of Belmont Abbey.

149 lbs

Cael Larson of Augustana (SD) emerged as the champion, defeating Nick James of Nebraska-Kearney with an 8-1 decision. Brennan Watkins of King (TN) secured third place with a decision over Dean Noble of Western Colorado. Jackson Hoover of UIndy took fifth place, while Joey Semerad of McKendree finished seventh with a decision over Gabriel Onorato of Glenville State.

157 lbs

Gabe Johnson of Central Oklahoma clinched first place, defeating Joel Jesuroga of St. Cloud State in a sudden victory. Aaden Valdez of Adams State secured third place, while Caleb Meunier of Minnesota State took fifth place with a major decision over John Ridle of Central Missouri. Kaden Renner of UMary finished seventh, pinning Casey Barnett of Tiffin.

165 lbs

David Hunsberger of Lander emerged as the champion, defeating Jack Haskin of Lake Erie with a major decision. Dajun Johnson of Wis.-Parkside secured third place with a decision over Nick Novak of St. Cloud State. Cory Peterson of McKendree took fifth place with a decision over Jace Fisher of Newman, while Nolan Gessler of Tiffin finished seventh with a decision over Bailey Gimbor of Kutztown.

174 lbs

Cole Ritter of Maryville (MO) clinched first place, defeating Jacobi Deal of Nebraska-Kearney with a 5-1 decision. Drake Hayward of Minnesota State secured third place with a decision over Bryce Dagel of St. Cloud State. Matt Ortiz of McKendree took fifth place with a decision over Lawson Losee of Upper Iowa, while Joshua Kenny of Grand Valley State finished seventh with a decision over Dalton Gimbor of Kutztown.

184 lbs

Ty McGeary of West Liberty emerged as the champion, defeating Keegan Gehlhausen of Chadron State with a technical fall. Matt Weinberg of Kutztown secured third place, pinning Damon Ashworth of Central Missouri. Cade Mueller of Augustana (SD) took fifth place with a decision over Garrett Wells of Central Oklahoma, while Kyle Homet of Glenville State finished seventh with a technical fall over Jacari Deal of Nebraska-Kearney.

197 lbs

Derek Blubaugh of UIndy clinched first place, defeating Tereus Henry of Fort Hays State with a 5-1 decision. Jackson Kinsella of Nebraska-Kearney secured third place with a decision over Max Ramberg of Augustana (SD). Nicholas Johnson of Glenville State took fifth place with a decision over Wyatt Miller of Grand Valley State, while Marvelous Rutledge of Lander finished seventh with a sudden victory over Dominic Murphy of St. Cloud State.

285 lbs

Ryan Herman of Maryville (MO) emerged as the champion, defeating Isaiah Vance of Pitt-Johnstown in a tiebreaker. Dorian Crosby of Gannon secured third place with a decision over Crew Howard of Nebraska-Kearney. Freddie Retter of Kutztown took fifth place with a major decision over Jake Swirple of Minot State, while Tyler Doyle of Colorado Mesa finished seventh with a decision over Carter Blough of Grand Valley State.

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