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Photo: Sam Janicki

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.

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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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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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ayalafeature

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.
jamesgreen1200

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.
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Guzman announced as NCAA Division III Wrestler of the Year

North Central's Chip Guzman was announced as the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat. Guzman won the national title at 125 pounds and finished the season undefeated. He had a 100% bonus rate.
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Yetzer named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year

Roanoke head wrestling coach Nate Yetzer has been named NCAA Division III Wrestling Coach of the Year by the Open Mat. Yetzer guided the Maroons to a 15-0 dual meet record and sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.
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Blume named NCAA Division III Freshman of the Year

Wartburg's Kade Blume was the lone freshman to win a national title at the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. On Tuesday, Blume was announced as the 2026 NCAA Division III Freshman of the Year by The Open Mat.
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Zapeda announces transfer to Michigan

Daniel Zapeda, one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2025, announced his transfer from NC State to Michigan on Thursday.
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Iowa State adds lightweights Smith, Sakamoto

Iowa State has added a couple notable lightweights from the transfer portal. Ayden Smith and Rin Sakamoto have committed to the Cyclones.
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Ashnault returns to Rutgers as associate head coach

Four-time All-American and 2019 NCAA champion Anthony Ashnault is returning to Rutgers wrestling as associate head coach. He rejoins the program after serving as an assistant coach with Princeton for the past two seasons.
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Cornell adds four-time NCAA champ Diakomihalis to staff

Cornell wrestling has announced the addition of Yianni Diakomihalis to its coaching staff, bringing one of the program's most decorated athletes back to Ithaca in a new role.
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Thompson commits to Iowa State

Iowa State has landed its first commitment in the Brent Metcalf era. On Saturday, Brayden Thompson announced that he is transferring to Iowa State. He started his college wrestling career at Oklahoma State.
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Iowa lands Cliff Keen Las Vegas champ Schubert

Carter Schubert announced that he is transferring from Oklahoma to Iowa. He reached the round of 12 at 174 pounds. Schubert is expected to compete at 165 pounds for the Hawkeyes.
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Metcalf named head coach of ISU men's wrestling team

Brent Metcalf has been named the ninth head coach of the Iowa State men's wrestling program. Kevin Dresser will serve as ISU's director of men's and women's wrestling.
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Iowa State adds women's wrestling as 18th varsity program

Women's wrestling will debut as Iowa State University's 18th intercollegiate athletics program during the 2027-28 academic year, Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced on Thursday.
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Two-time All-American Robinson commits to Nebraska

Two-time All-American Vincent Robinson is coming to the Big Ten. Robinson, who spent the past three seasons at NC State, announced on Wednesday that he is transferring to Nebraska.
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Juniata College to reestablish men's wrestling program, launch a new women's wrestling team

Wrestling will return to Juniata College as preparations begin to reestablish its men's program and launch a new women's team, marking a significant expansion of its athletics offerings.
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Drury names Walker head wrestling coach

Drury University has selected Bryce Walker as its new wrestling head coach, Vice President and Director of Athletics Nyla Milleson announced Monday.