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Photo: Grand View Athletics

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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Iowa State women's program 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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kouekabakilahofeature

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.
hendersonfeature

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.
piperfowler

Iowa State women's program 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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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.
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Welch named associate head coach at Binghamton

Binghamton announced Tuesday the hiring of Luke Welch as associate head coach of the Binghamton wrestling program.
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Two-time All-American Echemendia commits to Nebraska

Two-time All-American Anthony Echemendia is headed to Lincoln to wrestle for Nebraska.
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Two-time NCAA finalist Ayala joins Iowa State coaching staff

Drake Ayala, a two-time NCAA finalist and three-time All-American, has joined the Iowa State men's wrestling staff as an assistant coach. He fills one of two available assistant coaching positions on the Cyclone staff.

Andrade appointed as new head coach for Menlo men's wrestling

Set to lead one of Menlo College's flagship programs into its next chapter, Zeke Andrade has been announced as the new head coach of Menlo men's wrestling.

Ripplinger named head women's wrestling coach at Bismarck State

Bismarck State AD Jason Harris has announced Rick Ripplinger as the second head women's wrestling coach in program history, adding an experienced North Dakota wrestling figure to lead the Mystics.
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Green returns to Blacksburg to become Virginia Tech assistant coach

Two-time world medalist James Green is returning to Blacksburg to become an assistant coach at Virginia Tech. Green, a four-time All-American at Nebraska, has most recently served on the Huskers' coaching staff. He was a resident athlete at the Southeast Regional Training Center in Blacksburg from 2020-2022.
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Kadel added to Iowa State women's coaching staff

Iowa State announced her first staff hire on Monday, adding Jake Kadel as assistant coach following a successful three-season stint as head women's wrestling coach at William Penn, where he guided the Statesmen to three consecutive NAIA top five finishes.
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Pitt signs NCAA qualifier Harney, transfer from Morgan State

Pitt has signed NCAA qualifier Eugene Harney. Harney spent his redshirt freshman campaign at Morgan State, where he was named the EIWA Freshman of the Year.
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Johnson announced as NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year

Central Oklahoma's Gabe Johnson has been announced as the 2026 NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat. Johnson capped off an undefeated senior season with a third national title at 157 pounds. He finished his career on a 36-match winning streak.
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Jensen named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year

Dalton Jensen guided Nebraska Kearney to its second straight NCAA Division II national championship this past season and sixth in program history. The UNK head wrestling coach was named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by The Open Mat on Thursday.
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Strausbaugh honored as NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year

Jacob Strausbaugh of UMary has been honored as the 2026 NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat. Strausbaugh, an Alaska native, claimed the national title as a true freshman at 133 pounds.