CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Two members of the Messiah Wrestling team were in action for Day One of the 2026 NCAA Men's Wrestling National Championship on Friday, March 13.
Keegan Demarest (165 lbs.) will compete on Day Two, with a guaranteed finish as an All-American after collecting a record of 2-1 on Day One.
Zach Needles (174 lbs.) had his season come to a close on Friday night, after finishing 2-2.
Keegan Demarest opened his weekend with a 16-1 technical fall in 4:19 over Henry Forte of Williams in Session One. Demarest jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first period with a takedown and four count nearfall. He added an early takedown in the second before a second takedown and three nearfall points secured the 16-1 technical fall. In his quarterfinal bout, Demarest was notched 0-0 with Tanner Gerber of Wisconsin – La Crosse after two periods. Gerber opened the third period with a reversal before Demarest earned a quick escape to face a 2-1 deficit. Gerber tallied a takedown and riding time point to earn the 6-1 decision and send Demarest to the consolations. In his first consolation match, Demarest jumped to a 9-2 lead after the first period against Roanoke's Cade Parent. He extended his lead to 12-3 in the second before a takedown and riding time point in the third gave him a 16-4 major decision to advance to Day Two.
Zach Needles opened his time at 174 lbs. with an 8-2 decision over RIT's Jack Lamson in the pigtails. In his second match of the first session, Needles trailed Springfield's Jack Deguire 7-5 after two periods before Deguire capitalized on a takedown in the third and earned the fall to send Needles to the consolation bracket. In session two, Needles trailed Wartburg's Mike Slade 3-0 in the first period before an escape and takedown gave him the 4-3 lead. Needles was able to take advantage of his takedown and secure the fall in 2:46 to advance. Needles' weekend and season came to a close with a loss via fall to Dustin Bohren of Loras.
