Mar 22, 2026
3 min read
Live Updates: NCAA DI Men's Wrestling Championship Finals
minn Brian Reinhardt
Max McAnally (Minnesota) celebrates his victory in the 184-pound semifinals of the 2026 NCAA Championships.
The NCAA finals begin at 6:30 p.m.(ET), from £141.Watch live on ESPN.
21:40 - Was wrestling in high school tournaments in December and now won an NCAA Championship in March!Oklahoma State's Jax Forrest capped an undefeated rookie campaign with a 5-2 victory to take top honors at 133 pounds.
9:23 PM - In a hot fight at 125 pounds, Penn State's Luke Lilledahl ends his undefeated season with a 2-1 win over Princeton's McGowan.A second foul call midway through the third period was the deciding factor in the 2-1 battle.
21:08 - The winner is here!A John Cena superfan, NC State's Isaac Trumbull capped off his college career with an NCAA Championship.A second-period takedown and a third-period trip led to a 5-0 victory over top-ranked Iowa State Bastidas.
20:48 - Going through the season undefeated and with a 95.8% bonus percentage, Penn State's Barr is a first-time national champion.He posted a 6-3 win over Oklahoma State's Merrill, powered by a takedown and a reversal.
20:31 - First he won gold at the 2025 U20 World Championships, and now he's adding the 2026 national title to his trophy case.Minnesota's McKenally defeated top-seeded Penn State's Welsh, winning 4-2.
10/20 - Penn State's Levi Haines ends his collegiate career with a second championship (2024 157 pounds).The top seed went undefeated on the season and topped Minto of Nebraska 2-1 in the final.Another delay call in the second period proved different, Haines won his third of the season over Minto (previously 8-6 and 2-1).
19:54 - Consecutive national titles for the draw no.1 Mesenbrink at 165 pounds.In a rematch of last year's final, Mesenbrink dominated Iowa's Caliendo in a 20-4 loss.Mesenbrink recorded four takedowns in the first period and a takedown early in the third earned him a bonus point.He improved to 9-0 all-time against Caliendo.
19:38 – These newcomers continue to ruin the party!At 157 pounds, it was fifth-ranked Robideaux who defeated defending champion Taylor of Nebraska, 4-2.The difference was almost two points in the second period.
19:13 - Second straight OT fight, second straight freshman to win a national title, second straight upset to start the night!At 149 pounds, all tied 5-5 after 7 minutes, No. 10 seed Aden Valencia of Stanford was eliminated 32 seconds into overtime, and Van Nessia became Penford's third state champion.Avenging the previous 10-4 loss to Van Ness.
6:48 PM - The first champion is crowned, true freshman Sergio Vega of Oklahoma State at 141 pounds.The match ended 1-1 in overtime, with Vega fending off a throw from two-time defending Ohio State champion Jesse Mendez for a takedown with 23 seconds remaining.Completes the download without giving up.
Results of the 2026 Championship
#1 Luke Lilledahl (Penn State) dhjetor.#10 Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton);2-1
#1 Jax Forrest (Oklahoma State) des.#2 Ben Davino (Ohio State);5-2
#2 Sergio Vega (Oklahoma State) def.#1 Jesse Mendez (And Ohio);4-1 (SV1)
#10 Aden Valentia (Stanford) dec.#1 Shane Van Ness (Penn State);8-5 (SV1)
#5 Landon Robideau (Oklahoma State) def. #2 Antrell Taylor (Nebraska); 4-2
#1 Mitchell Messenbrink (Penn State) tech fall over #3 Mikey Caliendo (Iowa);20-4
#1 Levi Haines (Penn State) dec #3 Christopher Minto (Nebrasko);2-1
#3 Max McKinley (Minnesota) dec.#1 Rocco Welsh (Penn State);4-2
#1 Josh Barr (Pennsylvania State), dec #7 Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State);6-3
#2 Isaac Trumble (NC State) dec.#1 Yonger Bastida (Iowa State);5-0
