By National Wrestling Coaches Association

MANHEIM, Pa. - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is proud to announce the 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling Hall of Fame Class. Five legends of the sport 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.

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

• Mike Ritchey, Southern Oregon University

"This year's class represents everything the NAIA Hall of Fame stands for, sustained excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to the next generation of wrestlers," said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. "Each of these inductees has left an indelible mark on the sport, and we're honored to welcome them in Baltimore this August."

Induction ceremony

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Venue: Renaissance Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel
Tickets: Reserve your seat
Lodging: Reserve your room
Convention Info: Convention Site

Steve Costanzo, Dana College

Coach, 1999–2006

• Led Dana College to the 2006 NAIA National Championship, setting a tournament record with 193.0 team points

• 2006 NWCA National Duals Champion

• 4x Great Plains Athletic Conference Champion (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)

• 4x Regional Champion (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006)

• Three consecutive top-10 finishes at NAIA Nationals (6th in 2004, 5th in 2005, 1st in 2006)

• 2003 NAIA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award, recognizing role models and mentors of student-athletes

• 2006 NWCA and NAIA Coach of the Year

• 2x NAIA Regional Coach of the Year (2005, 2006)

• Continued his coaching career at NCAA Division II St. Cloud State University

Brock Gutches, Southern Oregon University

Athlete, 2012–2015

• 4x NAIA National Champion

• 2x NAIA Outstanding Wrestler (2014, 2015)

• 2015 NAIA Wrestler of the Year

Mitchell Lofstedt, Southern Oregon University

Athlete, 2008–2013

• 3x NAIA National Champion

• 4x NAIA Finalist

• 86 career falls — most career wins and pins in Southern Oregon history

• 2x NAIA Outstanding Wrestler

Jimmy May, Baker University

Coach, 2008–2014; 2017–present

• Inaugural head coach at Baker University, building the program from launch in 2008

• Led the inaugural Baker team to an 11-0 dual-meet start, capped by a loss to the University of Iowa

• Coached Baker to a No. 4 NAIA national ranking and a top finish of 9th

• Won the prestigious Kansas Cup in only Baker's third season as a program

• As head coach: 2 NAIA national finalists, 8 All-Americans, and 46 NAIA National Qualifiers

• Returned to Baker in 2017 as assistant coach for both men's and women's programs

• Since returning: 11 men's All-Americans (including 2 finalists) and 11 women's All-Americans (including 3 finalists)

Mike Ritchey, Southern Oregon University

Coach, 1995–2020

• 4x NAIA All-American as a student-athlete

• the first in SOU history

• 230 dual-meet victories as head coach

• 3x NAIA National Coach of the Year and 9x Regional Coach of the Year

• 2001 NAIA Team National Champion

• 5x NAIA Team Runner-up; 12 top 5 finishes at NAIA Nationals

• 14 Conference/Regional team championships

• Coached 22 individual NAIA National Champions and 136 All-Americans, including seven four-time All-Americans and one 4x NAIA National Champion

• Defeated 13 NCAA Division I programs in duals

• 2009 NWCA National Duals Champion

• 2022 inductee, National Wrestling Hall of Fame - Oregon Chapter