FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The No. 2-ranked Lander wrestling team opened the 2025–26 season with a strong performance at the Georgia Open hosted by Emmanuel University on Sunday, earning 11 total placewinners highlighted by a championship from sophomore Issac Sheeren at 285 lbs.

Sheeren rolled through the heavyweight bracket, recording back-to-back technical falls and a pair of decision wins to claim the tournament title. The seventh-ranked wrestler in the country defeated Life University's sixth-ranked Gabriel Jacobs, 9-4, in the championship bout to secure Lander's lone individual crown.

The Bearcats also earned runner-up finishes from R.J. James (125 lbs) and Christian Davis (133 lbs). James picked up two technical falls, a forfeit, and a decision to reach the finals before falling to Montevallo's Cole Hunt. Davis went 4-1 on the day, earning four wins—including a sudden-victory semifinal—before a narrow 9-7 loss in the title match.

At 157 lbs, Noah Roulo placed third while R.J. Noble finished fourth. The pair combined for nine wins on the day and met in the third-place bout, where Roulo earned a 12-5 decision over his teammate. Santiago Ramirez (125 lbs) also placed fifth after a strong run through the consolation bracket that included three decision victories.

Other top-eight finishers for Lander included Ransom Randolph (8th – 165 lbs), Sean Crews (8th – 174 lbs), J.T. Spence (6th – 184 lbs), Ayden Lighter (8th – 184 lbs), Kage Mir (6th – 197 lbs), and George Maholtz (8th – 149 lbs). Maholtz impressed in the consolation rounds, recording four pins and a tech fall en route to his placement finish.

Lander will open Conference Carolinas dual competition next weekend with a tri-match against Coker and UNC Pembroke in Hartsville, S.C.