2026-27 A-R-C Men's Wrestling Preview

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) men's wrestling season is expected to be another exciting season as the league remains one of the top in Division III. The defending national champion, Wartburg College Knights, were selected as the preseason favorite to claim the regular season title again this season.

All A-R-C men's wrestling programs will compete on January 23, 2027 at the annual dual pods along with duals throughout the season. NCAA Regionals are set for February 26 and 27 as Loras College serves as the host and the National Championship will be held in La Crosse, Wis. on March 12 and 13.
2026-27 American Rivers Conference
Men's Wrestling Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place | Team (first-place votes) | Points
1. | Wartburg College (6) | 48
T-2.  | Central College (1) | 39
T-2. | Coe College (1) | 39
4. | Loras College | 34
5. | University of Dubuque | 25
6. | Simpson College | 18
7. | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 11
8. | Buena Vista University | 10

*coaches cannot vote for their own institution*

Buena Vista University:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 3-13 overall, 0-8 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 9th

The Beavers welcome Greg Barner in as the head coach of the men's wrestling program.

Central College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 14-5 overall, 6-2 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 3rd
2025-26 NCAA Finish: 10th

Following a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the Dutch return a strong group of postseason performers heading into the new season under head coach Landon Williams, who enters his third season. Leading the way is returning national champion Cade Siebrecht. The team will look to build on its success with eight returning All-Region performers: Carter West, CJ Davis, Siebrecht, Christian Stanek, Shane Hanford, Abe Bushong, Cole Martin and Jamal Neeway. The team will look to replace the production of Pierre Baldwin.

"We’re excited about the upcoming season of Central College Wrestling and the opportunity to continue growing each day. We return a great group of guys while also welcoming an incoming class that we’re excited about. There’s a lot of energy, excitement and support surrounding our program right now. Our guys enjoy coming to practice , pushing each other, and getting better together. We’re looking forward to seeing what this group can accomplish and continuing to build something special at Central." ~ Landon Williams

Coe College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 10-5 overall, 5-3 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 4th
2025-26 NCAA Finish: 13th

Coe enters the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on a strong 2025-26 season. John Oostendorp enters his 26th season leading the Kohawks. Coe returns a talented group of postseason performers, led by junior Brayden Parke, who finished as the national runner-up at 125lbs, and sophomore Bo Koedam, who earned seventh place at 165lbs. The Kohawks also bring back eight All-Region performers, including Parke, senior Brody Neighbor, senior Dresden Grimm, senior Ty Koedam, Koedam, sophomores Justin Wirtz and Jean Ngoma, and junior Wyatt Smith. Five returning national qualifiers — Parke, Grimm, Koedam, Ngoma and Smith — provide additional experience as the Kohawks prepare for another competitive season.

"As always the American River Conference will be one of the most competitive conferences in the Nation.  On paper, this will be one of our top returning teams coming into the season.  We are excited for the season and are looking forward to the challenges ahead."  ~ John Oostendorp

University of Dubuque:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 7-9 overall, 3-5 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 6th
2025-26 NCAA Finish: T-57th

UD enters the season under its head coach Jon McGovern, who is entering his 24th season. The Spartans return five All-Region performers in Ashton Hayhurst, Colton Weiler, Kale Roth, Abraham Galicia and Zane Pannell. Weiler and Pannell also return as NCAA qualifiers, bringing valuable postseason experience to the lineup. 

"We’re excited about this team and the opportunity in front of us. We have a great mix of experienced leaders and young wrestlers who are hungry to improve. Our focus is on competing with gratitude, a positive attitude, and high standards every single day. The American Rivers Conference is one of the toughest wrestling conferences in the country, and that’s exactly what we want. Our goal at the University of Dubuque is to develop championship-level wrestlers and championship-level people, embrace the work, and be at our best when it matters most in February and March." ~ Jon McGovern

Loras College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 17-3 overall, 7-1 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 2nd
2025-26 NCAA Finish: 8th

After a successful 2025-26 season, the Duhawks enter the year with Jeren Glosser as the head coach. Loras returns All-American Jonah Clark, along with four All-Region performers in Connor Fiser, Braylon Griffiths, Landry Barker and Clark. Fiser, Barker and Clark also return as NCAA qualifiers, providing valuable postseason experience. Loras will look to replace the contributions of All-Americans Eric Kinkaid and Dustin Bohren while building on last season's success with a talented group of returning wrestlers and underclassmen eager to make an impact.

"We are extremely excited for the upcoming 2026–27 wrestling season! Loras Wrestling returns three NCAA National Qualifiers along with a talented group of underclassmen ready to make an impact." ~ Jeren Glosser

Nebraska Wesleyan University:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 3-7 overall, 1-7 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 8th

Nebraska Wesleyan enters the 2026-27 season under first-year head coach Dylan Buschow, who is looking to establish a strong foundation and build a competitive culture for the Prairie Wolves.

"As my first year at the helm of NWU, it will be a year of building culture and becoming whole. My team is a mix of young and old, and some have the potential to make a little noise as 'the darkhorse.' I'm excited to have been placed into the toughest Division III conference in the country." ~ Dylan Buschow

Simpson College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 6-7 overall, 2-6 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 7th

Simpson enters the season under eighth year head coach Dylan Peters. Peters is looking to build on the progress made by a young and developing roster. 

"We lost a strong group of senior leaders last season, but we are excited about the young group we have coming in this year. They have worked hard, embraced the expectations of our program, and are ready for the opportunity in front of them. We are looking forward to seeing how this group grows throughout the season." ~ Dylan Peters

Wartburg College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 15-1 overall, 8-0 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 1st
2025-26 NCAA Finish: 1st

Wartburg enters the 2026-27 season as not only the defending A-R-C champions, but the defending national champions with five All-Americans returning in Brett Birchman, Patrick Mullen, Tommy Thongseng, Kade Blume and Cal Dorota, along with eight All-Region performers and seven returning NCAA qualifiers. The Knights will look to maintain their championship standard while replacing the contributions of All-Americans Kasey Ross and Mitchell Williamson. With a proven group of postseason competitors returning, Wartburg aims to continue its success in one of the nation's most competitive wrestling conferences.
 

"Wartburg Wrestling is simply focused on getting better each and every day and reaching our full potential. The one thing we can control is our day to day focus, fight, and effort. Our goal is to enjoy the journey, which means having fun every step of the way. The American Rivers Conference is the best wrestling conference in the nation. We feel fortunate to be a part of a conference that understands, appreciates, and values this great sport. We are also thankful for the leadership in the A-R-C and the support they continue to provide for wrestling.” ~ Eric Keller