North Dakota State University wrestling will compete at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, from March 19 to March 21 at Rocket Arena.
The event is significant for the Bison program as several wrestlers have qualified and are set to make their debuts on the national stage. The tournament schedule includes multiple sessions over three days, with coverage available on ESPN networks and live statistics provided through TrackWrestling and FloWrestling. Tickets can be purchased via AXS or through links on gobison.com.
Ezekiel Witt leads North Dakota State’s seeded wrestlers as the No. 16 seed at 125 pounds after finishing third at the Big 12 Championships. Junior Devin Wasley, who finished seventh at Big 12s, enters as the No. 22 seed at 197 pounds and has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week twice this season. Max Petersen earned an at-large bid and is seeded No. 23 in the 149-pound bracket following a sixth-place finish at conference championships. Aidan Brenot (No. 27 seed, 184 pounds) and Gavin Drexler (No. 28 seed, 157 pounds) round out NDSU’s qualifiers.
Three Bison—Witt, Petersen, and Wasley—will make their first appearances at the NCAA Championships this year. The team has a history of success with a total of 101 Division I qualifiers since its first appearance in postseason eligibility and has produced thirteen All-Americans, including Drexler last season.
This season saw NDSU face one of the toughest schedules nationally, with nine of sixteen opponents ranked in national polls and five Bison placing at the Big 12 Championships two weeks ago in Tulsa. Notably, NDSU reclaimed the Border Bell trophy by defeating South Dakota State earlier this year.
Looking ahead to Cleveland, head coach Obenson Blanc will lead a group that includes both experienced competitors and newcomers aiming to add to North Dakota State’s wrestling legacy.
