NCAA Men's Notebook: One Storyline In Each Weight Class

USA Wrestling looks at one major storyline from each of the 10 weight classes.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced that its Class of 2026 is Distinguished Members Ben Askren, Tervel Dlagnev, Lee Roy Smith and Shannon Williams-Yancey; Meritorious Official honoree Zach Errett; Order of Merit recipient James L. Porter, MA, LAT, ATC; Medal of Courage recipient Patrick Morrissey; and Outstanding American honoree Retired United States Army Major General Michael J. Nardotti, Jr.

Riding 71-Match Dual Win Streak, Penn State Opens Season Ranked No. 1

he National Wrestling Coaches Association has released its preseason Division I Men’s Wrestling Coaches Poll, with NCAA champion Penn State opening the year as the nation’s No. 1 team. The Nittany Lions received all 16 first-place votes after finishing last season 15-0 in duals and capturing their 12th national title under head coach Cael Sanderson and 13th overall.

Nebraska, last year’s NCAA runner-up, starts at No. 2, followed by Iowa, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State. The top 10 also includes Iowa State, NC State, Lehigh, Minnesota, and Virginia Tech, representing four different conferences.

Forrest Delivers Gold Medal, Men’s Freestyle Wins U23 World Team Title

NOVI SAD, Serbia – Team USA ended the 2025 U23 World Championships with fireworks. High school sensation Jax Forrest emerged with a highlight reel, 17-14, win in the 61 kg gold medal match to collect his first age-group World gold and propel the U.S. men’s freestyle team to first place in the team ranking.

NCAA Men's Notebook: Five Teams Looking To Rise Up This Season

Not only are these teams looking to make a push into the top 10 this upcoming year, but they could also vie for a team trophy by placing in the top four.

Lilledahl, Haines Grab Gold, Duke Bronze at U23 World Championships

NOVI SAD, Serbia – Two Americans topped the U23 World podium on Sunday night in downtown Novi Sad—Luke Lilledahl brought home the 57 kg gold medal to become the first in U.S. history to claim a U17, U20 and U23 World title in men’s freestyle, and Levi Haines collected his first age-group World title with a powerful performance at 79 kg.

The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club added a third athlete to the medal stand with PJ Duke pulling off a dramatic pin in his bronze medal match at 70 kg.

Forrest Reaches U23 World Championships Men's Freestyle Finals

NOVI SAD, Serbia – A fourth finalist in men’s freestyle is on the board for Team USA at the 2025 U23 World Championships. Jax Forrest picked up his third technical fall of the day to advance to the 61 kg gold medal final.

Two-time age-group World champion Marcus Blaze at 65 kg, Rocco Welsh at 86 kg and Garavous Kouekabakilaho at 97 kg were dealt a bad hand in the semifinal round and were not pulled back into the tournament. Forrest will be the only group three wrestler for Team USA to advance to Monday’s medal round.

Forrest to U23 World Championships Men’s Freestyle Semis

NOVI SAD, Serbia – The U.S. picked up its sixth men’s freestyle semifinalist at the 2025 U23 World Championships with Senior World Team member Jax Forrest exploding to two first-period technical fall wins at 61 kg on Sunday morning.