By Brian Reinhardt
USA Wrestling

Here is a look at four programs that finished outside the top 10 at the 2026 NCAA Championships but have much higher aspirations for making a jump in the team standings come March in St. Louis.

Virginia Tech - #ALLINALLTHETIME 

2026 NCAA finish: 11th place

Last top 10 NCAA finish: 2024 (7th place)

FloWrestling 2027 projected NCAA finish: 5th place

On paper, this year’s Virginia Tech squad might be the best 10 wrestlers the Hokies have sent out onto the mat. In the preseason rankings, coach Tony Robie’s squad has all five starters from 125 to 157 pounds ranked seventh or better, with four starting the season in the top 5. A pair of second-year wrestlers will work their way up the rankings at 165 and 174 pounds; a battle between two 2026 NCAA Qualifiers will take place at 184 pounds, and two top-15 wrestlers round out the lineup at the upper weights.

Highlighting the lineup is the return of 2025 NCAA champion Caleb Henson at 149 pounds after a redshirt season last year. One of his new training partners, U.S. Senior World Team member freshman Bo Bassett, was one of the most decorated high school recruits of all time and has been picked by many to claim a national title at 141 pounds in his first year of college wrestling.

In addition to his talented roster, Robie brought back James Green, a seven-time U.S. World Team member, to Blacksburg as an assistant coach (he served as an RTC coach from 2000-02).

Missouri - #TigerStyle 

2026 NCAA finish: 14th place

Last top 10 NCAA finish: 2023 (5th place)

FloWrestling 2027 projected NCAA finish: 10th place

Head Coach Brian Smith has a strong squad for 2026-27, highlighted by the return of a pair of 2026 All-Americans. Aeoden Sinclair claimed third-place honors at 184 pounds in his first collegiate season last year. He followed it up by winning a U20 World title this summer. At 174 pounds, Cam Steed earned All-American honors for the second straight year with a fifth-place showing.

The Tigers dipped into the transfer portal to add a pair of transfers, both starting the year ranked in the top 11 in their weight class. A 2025 All-American at Wisconsin, Zan Fugitt returns to his home state at 141 pounds, while two-time NCAA Qualifier Luke Geog came over from Ohio State and will be at 197 pounds.

One interesting offseason hire in the NCAA was the addition of Brian Vargas as General Manager for Missouri Wrestling. In the era of NIL, Missouri proactively hired Vargas, who has over 30 years of experience in business leadership, operations, sales and strategic growth.

Wyoming - #GoWyo 

2026 NCAA finish: 12th place

Last top 10 NCAA finish: 1960 (3rd place)

FloWrestling 2027 projected NCAA finish: 11th place

Last season was memorable for Wyoming. Three Cowboys earned All-American honors, matching a program record. Wyoming scored 38 team points in Cleveland, the program’s most ever, and the 12th-place finish was the highest since 1967.

The good news for Wyoming: all three of those 2026 All-Americans return for coach Mark Branch’s 20th season at the helm. The Cowboys’ upper weights are loaded: Eddie Neitenbach (#6 at 184 pounds), Joey Novak (#4 at 197 pounds) and Christian Carroll (#4 at heavyweight) all bring top-10 rankings into the season.

One of the biggest additions to the Wyoming Wrestling program this offseason was the opening of a brand-new practice facility. The John Corbett Building totals 13,431 square feet and includes five practice mats, a weight room, a sports medicine recovery area and office space among the amenities the Cowboys will enjoy.

Lehigh - #FlyHawks 

2026 NCAA finish: 16th place

Last top 10 NCAA finish: 2012 (8th place)

FloWrestling 2027 projected NCAA finish: 12th place

After 18 years leading the Lehigh program, Pat Santoro left back in June. The administration turned to a familiar face to take over as head coach, as former Lehigh All-American Brad Dillon will now lead the Mountain Hawks after serving on the staff for the previous 22 seasons.

Lehigh won each of the last two EIWA Championships and has five consecutive top-25 finishes at the NCAA Championships.

The Mountain Hawks will be led by preseason #1 Luke Stanich at 141 pounds. He is a two-time All-American and two-time EIWA champion in his first two collegiate seasons, including a third-place NCAA finish last year. On the international scene, Stanich won a U20 World title last summer.