NWCA Announces NAIA Men's Wrestling 2026 Hall of Fame Class

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is proud to announce the 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling Hall of Fame Class: Steve Costanzo, Dana College; Brock Gutches, Southern Oregon University; Mitchell Lofstedt, Southern Oregon University; Jimmy May, Baker University; and Mike Ritchey, Southern Oregon University.

The five legends will be formally inducted on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Renaissance Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel during the NWCA Convention.

This year's class represents the depth and tradition of NAIA Men's wrestling, with coaches and student-athletes whose accomplishments built programs, mentored champions, and elevated the sport at every level.

Celebrate 50 Years with Official Hall of Fame Merchandise

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and longtime preferred apparel partner and sponsor Cliff Keen Athletic have launched an online store featuring official National Wrestling Hall of Fame merchandise, including an exclusive collection celebrating the Hall of Fame’s 50th Anniversary.

Every purchase directly supports the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and its mission to preserve wrestling’s history and celebrate its greatest legends and achievements.

Olympians Lee, Parris, Retherford Headline Senior World Team Trials Men’s Freestyle Field

Over 40 athletes are entered in the Senior men’s freestyle field at the 2026 Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament at Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville, Ky., May 14-15, including several winners of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.

DSHSEA winners entered are Cameron Amine, David Carr, Anthony Cassioppi, PJ Duke, Jax Forrest, Jayden James, Spencer Lee, Quincy Monday, Jimmy Mullen, Zain Retherford, Landon Robideau, Edward Scott, Aaron Seidel and Evan Wick.

Olympians Elor, Winchester Highlight Strong Women’s Freestyle Field at Senior World Team Trials

Over 40 Senior women’s freestyle wrestlers have entered the field at the 2026 Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on May 14-15 at Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville, Ky., including several winners of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award.

TSHSEA winners entered are Vayle Baker, Alara Boyd, Claire DiCugno, Jaslynn Gallegos, Marissa Gallegos, Cameron Geurin, Taylor Graveman, Alexis Janiak, Rose Kaplan, Macey Kilty, Katerina Lange, Sage Mortimer, Kendra Ryan, Sarah Savidge, Emily Shilson, Alexandra Szkotnicki, and Felicity Taylor.

Hendrickson, Lovett Finals Pins Punctuate U.S. Men’s Freestyle Pan American Championships Team Title

Liam Cronin, Wyatt Hendrickson, Ridge Lovett and and Real Woods all added men's freestyle gold medals for the United States in the final session of the 2026 Senior Pan American Championships on Sunday.

The U.S. was unmatched in the team race, with eight gold medalists and two silver medalists, collecting 240 of a possible 250 team points. Puerto Rico came in a distant second place with 150 team points. Canada rounded out the top three with 129 team points.

Other American gold medalists were Austin DeSanto, Levi Haines, Trent Hidlay and Zahid Valencia while Stephen Buchanan earned a silver medal. Valencia was awarded the Golden Boot Award and recognized as the outstanding wrestler of the men’s freestyle division.

Hendrickson was the Kansas winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award and Lovett was the Idaho winner in 2019 while Valencia was the California and National winner in 2015.

Hidlay, Haines Earn Men's Freestyle Gold Medals at Senior Pan American Championships

CORALVILLE, Iowa – The U.S. men’s freestyle team returned to action on Sunday and continued its dominance at the 2026 Pan American Championships. The team was unbeaten throughout the opening session and secured two gold medals, one from Levi Haines in the 79-kilogram division and one from Trent Hidlay in the 92-kilogram division, in their round-robin brackets.

Liam Cronin, Real Woods, Ridge Lovett, Stephen Buchanan and Wyatt Hendrickson each qualified for the gold medal round in their respective brackets. The U.S. has secured four gold medals and one silver medal with five weights to finish this evening. Hendrickson was the Kansas winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award and Lovett was the Idaho winner in 2019.

U.S. To Host World Championships in Las Vegas, September 11-19, 2027

The World Championships in 2027 will be held in Las Vegas, United States.

United World Wrestling and USA Wrestling have announced that 2027 World Championships, which will also serve as the first Olympic qualifier for the 2028 LA Games, will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas from September 11 to 19.

Welker Pins World Champion In Finals, U.S. Women Top Pan American Championships Team Standings

CORALVILLE, Iowa – Kylie Welker took out both bronze medalists from the 2024 Paris Olympics and the reigning World champion enroute to the 76 kg gold medal and the Golden Boot Award as the outstanding wrestler of the women's freestyle division at the Senior Pan American Championships on Saturday.

Abigail Nette and Kayla Miracle also won gold as Team USA bagged the team title with eight champions, a silver medalist, and a bronze medalist, collecting 235 total team points. Canada finished as runners-up with 136 team points. Mexico reeled in third place with 128 team points.

The tournament concludes on Sunday with men’s freestyle group two (57-65-70-79-92-97-125 kg). The action begins at 10 a.m. (CT). Entered for the U.S. are Liam Cronin, Real Woods, Ridge Lovett, Levi Haines, Trent Hidlay, Stephen Buchanan and Wyatt Hendrickson. Hendrickson was the Kansas winner of the DSHSEA and Lovett was the Idaho winner in 2019.