Farrah Sheeren

Wrestling 3/13/2026 10:28:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

No. 10 Wrestling Sends Five to Podium, Within Reach of Team Title After Day One

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The tenth-ranked Lander wrestling team saw five wrestlers claim All-American honors on the first day of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, placing the Bearcats in third place after two sessions of wrestling and within four points of the top spot currently held by Nebraska-Kearney. The top five teams are separated by just 4.5 points.

The wrestlers who will stand on the podium Saturday night are James Joplin (133), Elijah Lusk (141), David Hunsberger (165), Maxwell Kiel (174), and Marvelous Rutledge (197).

Joplin, Lusk, Hunsberger, and Kiel will all wrestle for a spot in the national finals in the championship semifinals, which will open Session III on Saturday morning. Rutledge will compete in the consolation bracket with the opportunity to advance to the third-place match.

The five All-Americans are the second-most in program history, trailing only the six podium finishers recorded in both 2023 and 2024. It also brings the program total to 22 All-Americans from 41 national qualifiers, maintaining a 53 percent conversion rate.

Joplin and Lusk both became three-time All-Americans, joining Zeth Brower and Hunsberger as the only three-time All-Americans in program history. Rutledge is the sixth multi-time All-American in program history, while Kiel becomes the tenth different wrestler to earn All-American honors for the Blue and Gold.

Session I

At 133 pounds, James Joplin advanced with a 10-6 decision over Nebraska-Kearney's Zachary Ourada. After a scramble-heavy first period, Joplin took control with a late takedown and added a reversal in the third to seal the victory and move on to the quarterfinals.

Elijah Lusk followed with an upset win at 141 pounds, defeating sixth-seeded James Wright of Central Missouri. After trailing late in the match, Lusk countered a shot and secured a takedown in the closing seconds to earn the 6-2 victory and advance.

At 165 pounds, two-time defending national champion David Hunsberger wasted little time in his opening bout. After a scoreless first period, Hunsberger turned Central Oklahoma's Bryce Daupin early in the second period and secured the fall just 24 seconds into the frame.

Maxwell Kiel also advanced at 174 pounds, defeating fifth-seeded Dalton Gimber of Kutztown in sudden victory. Kiel secured the decisive takedown early in overtime to move into the quarterfinal round.

At 197 pounds, Marvelous Rutledge delivered one of the biggest wins of the session, upsetting third-seeded Peyton Lemon of Ashland. After both wrestlers traded escapes in regulation, Rutledge scored a takedown less than 30 seconds into sudden victory to advance.

At 157 pounds, Reid Noble narrowly fell to sixth-seeded Owen Cline of Colorado Mesa, 10-8, after Cline secured a late takedown and riding time in the third period. Noble rebounded in the consolation bracket later in the session with a dominant 10-0 major decision over Seton Hill's Zacur to stay alive in the tournament.

Isham Peace dropped his preliminary match at 149 pounds before falling in a tightly contested 3-2 decision to Indianapolis' Garcia in the consolation round, ending his tournament run.

At 184 pounds, Dylan Kohn led late in his opening match before Wisconsin-Parkside's Ramos scored a takedown in the final seconds to secure a 6-5 decision and send Kohn to the consolation bracket.

Heavyweight Isaac Sheeren also moved to the backside after a 10-6 loss to Pitt-Johnstown's Isaiah Vance. Due to a scheduling miscommunication, Sheeren was forced to forfeit his consolation preliminary match, ending his tournament.

Session II

Joplin highlighted the quarterfinals at 133 pounds, pinning McKendree's Long after catching him on his back during a scramble. The victory guaranteed Joplin his third career All-American finish and a spot in the national semifinals.

Lusk followed with an 8-6 decision over Mary's Solis. After escaping to tie the match early in the third period, Lusk secured a late takedown with just over 30 seconds remaining to punch his ticket to the semifinals and earn his third All-American honor.

Hunsberger continued his dominant run at 165 pounds, defeating Central Missouri's Bernall to reach the semifinal round while fending off several late shots from the former Bearcat. With the win, Hunsberger became the first four-time All-American in program history.

Kiel added another All-American performance for Lander at 174 pounds, scoring a 10-2 major decision over Grand Valley State's Kenny. The victory marked Kiel's first career All-American honor and advanced him to the semifinals.

At 197 pounds, Rutledge fell in the quarterfinals but battled back in the consolation bracket. After forcing overtime in his next match, Rutledge secured a sudden victory takedown to clinch his second career All-American finish.

Noble's tournament run came to an end in the first round of the consolation bracket at 157 pounds.

Kohn also picked up a strong win on the backside, earning a 10-0 major decision over East Stroudsburg's Ciampa to advance to the blood round before falling to Gannon's Lyons in the next round.

Wrestling resumes Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern with the championship semifinals and the remaining consolation bracket matches. The morning session will conclude with the third-, fifth-, and seventh-place matches before Saturday night's final session, which will feature the national championship matches in each weight class.

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Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger: 165; Senior; 157

James Joplin: 133; Graduate Student; 125

Elijah Lusk: 141; Graduate Student; 141

Reid Noble: 149; Junior; 149

Isham Peace: 149; Redshirt Senior; 149

Marvelous Rutledge: 197; Senior; 197

Isaac Sheeren: 285; Sophomore; 285

Maxwell Kiel: 174; Graduate Student; 174

Dylan Kohn: 184; Graduate Student; 184

Players Mentioned

David Hunsberger
: Senior; 157
: 165

James Joplin
: Graduate Student; 125
: 133

Elijah Lusk
: Graduate Student; 141
: 141

Reid Noble
: Junior; 149
: 149

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Senior; 149
: 149

Marvelous Rutledge
: Senior; 197
: 197

Isaac Sheeren
: Sophomore; 285
: 285

Maxwell Kiel
: Graduate Student; 174
: 174

Dylan Kohn
: Graduate Student; 184
: 184