GRANTHAM, Pa. – The 2025-26 Messiah Wrestling season begins on Saturday, November 1, when the Falcons host the Messiah Invitational in Hitchcock Arena. Check out the 2025-26 season preview below.
2024-25 Season Recap
The Falcons finished with a record of 13-5, also claiming a pair of tournament wins and a pair of runner-up finishes. Messiah earned the top spot at the season opening Messiah Invitational, finishing first of nine teams. Two weeks later the Falcons finished first of 11 teams at the Shenandoah Invitational. Messiah finished second out of seven teams at the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships in early January. As a team, the Falcons finished third of 18 teams at the NCAA Region III Regional, sending three individuals,
Austin Brass,
Sawyer Dereszynski, and
Ryder Slayton, to the NCAA Division III National Championships.
Roster Outlook
Messiah looks to return seven of their starters from last season's regional meet. One notable returner is
Austin Brass, who qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship in the 2024-25 season. Brass will look to make the switch from 174 lbs. to 184 lbs. this season.
Shaun Quirk (141 lbs.) and
Keegan Demarest (165 lbs.) each earned fourth at the 2024-25 Region III Regional and look to retain their spots in the starting line-up this season. Three Falcons earned fifth place finishes at regionals and will return to the roster this year in
Caiden Heller (133 lbs.),
Dalton Monger (149 lbs.), and
Clay Gainer (157 lbs.).
Micah Martinez finished sixth in the 285 lbs. weight class as a first-year at the regional meet and will look to continue making an impact in the Falcons roster. Notably, Messiah will also return 2022-23 National Qualifier
Zach Needles (174 lbs.) to the roster after missing last season. The Falcons have a mix of strong returners as well as first-year athletes that will compete throughout the season to earn a starting spot.
Schedule Preview
The Falcons will continue the tradition of filling their schedule with a mix of tournaments and duels. As mentioned, action will begin Saturday, November 1, with the Messiah Invitational set to begin at 9:00 a.m. in Hitchcock Arena. Messiah will take to the road to compete at Ursinus College, Marymount University, and Muhlenberg College through the remaining November weekends. They will return home for the Petrofes Invitational on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6. Messiah will compete in three dual meets across December 12 and 13 before hosting the Chocolate Duals on Saturday, December 20 to wrap up action for the 2025 portion of the season.
The Falcons open 2026 action at the Bud Whitehill Duals at Lycoming College before hosting the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships on Saturday, January 17. Remaining home action includes duals versus Gettysburg College and The College of New Jersey as well as the Messiah Open on Saturday, February 14. The Regional meet will take place on February 27 and 28 with the NCAA DIII Championships scheduled for March 13 and 14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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