Lander University

Farrah Sheeren

Wrestling 1/10/2026 6:56:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

#6 Wrestling Takes Fourth at NWCA National Duals

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The sixth-ranked Lander Wrestling team closed out the 2026 NWCA National Duals with a fourth-place finish after falling to a pair of top-three teams on Saturday inside the UNI Dome. The Bearcats dropped a 30-6 decision to top-ranked Central Oklahoma in the semifinals before falling by the same score to third-ranked Wisconsin–Parkside in the third-place match.

The fourth-place finish ties the best result in program history at the event, matching the mark set by the 2023–24 team.

Semifinal: #1 Central Oklahoma 30, #6 Lander 6

The Bronchos seized control early, winning the first five bouts to build a 20-0 lead at the midway point of the dual.

#2 David Hunsberger put Lander on the board at 165, earning a gritty 8-6 decision over the 14th-ranked wrestler in the country to make it 20-3. Central Oklahoma answered by taking the next three matches to clinch the dual.

At heavyweight, #13 Isaac Sheeren closed the match on a positive note, rallying from a 4-1 deficit in the third period. Sheeren earned an escape and a late takedown to secure a 5-4 decision, accounting for Lander's final three points.

Third-Place Match: #3 Wisconsin–Parkside 30, #6 Lander 6

Wisconsin–Parkside opened the dual with a win at 125, but #6 James Joplin responded immediately, using a first-period takedown and a late escape to earn a 4-3 decision and knot the score at 3-3.

The Rangers then won the next three bouts to stretch the lead to 15-3 before Hunsberger delivered again for the Bearcats. The two-time defending national champion controlled the action in a 7-1 decision over the sixth-ranked wrestler in his weight class.

Parkside closed out the dual by taking the final four matches to secure third place.

Lander returns to action next Saturday, Jan. 17, as the Bearcats travel to Marietta, Ga., to face #2 Life University (NAIA). First bout is set for 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger: 165; Senior; 157

James Joplin: 133; Graduate Student; 125

Isaac Sheeren: 285; Sophomore; 285

Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger
: Senior; 157
: 165

James Joplin
: Graduate Student; 125
: 133

Isaac Sheeren
: Sophomore; 285
: 285