Lander University

Farrah Sheeren

Wrestling 12/14/2025 9:13:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

#2 Lander Finishes Seventh at Midwest Classic

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The second-ranked Lander Wrestling team closed out the 46th Annual Midwest Classic with a seventh-place team finish, totaling 90.0 team points against one of the deepest fields in Division II wrestling.

Lander was led on the final day by top-eight finishes from David Hunsberger and George Maholtz, Marvelous Rutledge and Isham Peace.

At 165, #1 David Hunsberger advanced to the championship bout after a dominant Sunday morning run that featured two technical falls in the quarterfinals and semifinals. The two-time defending national champion fell just short of his third-straight Midwest Classic title, falling by decision in the title match. The senior earned 25.0 team points on the weekend.

George Maholtz delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament at 141, battling through the consolation bracket on Sunday to finish third. Maholtz earned five wins on day two, including three falls and an injury default, before closing the tournament with an 8–6 decision in the third-place match. He finished the weekend with 27.5 team points, the most by any Bearcat.

At 197, #4 Marvelous Rutledge reached the semifinals before finishing sixth overall. Rutledge earned a sudden-victory decision in the quarterfinals to secure his spot on the podium and scored 14.0 team points.

#4 Isham Peace placed eighth at 149, earning a gritty 4-0 win early on day two before an injury prevented him from progressing any further. Peace contributed 7.5 team points.

Several other Bearcats picked up key wins on Sunday.
At 125, #9 Kaden Kuenzi added a technical fall and a pin in the consolation bracket before being eliminated, scoring 6.0 team points.
At 174, #15 Maxwell Kiel posted two wins on day two, including a major decision and a decision victory, before falling in the later consolation rounds.
Noah Roulo earned a technical fall at 157, while JT Spence picked up a decision win at 184 to add to the team total.

The Lander Wrestling team returns to the mat on January 2nd as they open the 2026 calendar year for Lander Athletics with a Conference Carolinas matchup against King in a rematch of last season's Conference Carolinas Championship match. The first match is set for a 7:00 p.m. start time inside Horne Arena.

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Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger: 165; Senior; 157

Kaden Kuenzi: 125; Graduate Student; 125

Isham Peace: 149; Redshirt Senior; 149

Marvelous Rutledge: 197; Senior; 197

Maxwell Kiel: 174; Graduate Student; 174

JT Spence: 184; Freshman; 184

Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger
: Senior; 157
: 165

Kaden Kuenzi
: Graduate Student; 125
: 125

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Senior; 149
: 149

Marvelous Rutledge
: Senior; 197
: 197

Maxwell Kiel
: Graduate Student; 174
: 174

JT Spence
: Freshman; 184
: 184