The NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships just came to a startling end, with a season full of impact, excellence, and upsets that have shattered the roofs of expectations. With 300 athletes at the start, narrowing down to ten, the NCAA finals have become a night to remember.
Penn State once again dominated the scoreboard with 177.5 team points, while Oklahoma State came second at 131.0, followed by Nebraska at 100.5, Iowa at 92.5, and Ohio State at 84.5. Jax Forrest led Oklahoma State at No. 1 to victory, while Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Luke Lilledahl, and Josh Barr held on to the Nittany Lions’ legacy.
Three freshmen have taken home the national titles, which signals a huge shift in the wrestling landscape. From Aden Valencia’s stunning victory over Shayne Van Ness all the way to freshman Sergio Vega dethroning the reigning champion Jesse Mendez, the night launched the arrival of the next generation of stars. Let’s take a look at four of the biggest upsets that transpired last night.
Four Biggest Upsets of NCAA D1 2026 Wrestling
#1 Aden Valencia vs. Shayne Van Ness (149 lbs): Valencia wins by 8-5 SV Decision
The first big upset of the champions night was marked by the defeat of Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness at the hands of Stanford’s Aden Valencia. Valencia took the win by a sudden victory, with the scoreboard flashing 8-5. The result took everyone by surprise, as the Nittany Lions have been the all-time favorite ever since the start of the season, with seven of their wrestlers holding on to the No. 1 seed.
Valencia had faced seven losses this season; however, he sealed his win this time with three takedowns against Van Ness, finally avenging the season.
#2 Max McEnelly vs. Rocco Welsh (184 lbs): McEnelly wins by 4-3 Decision
At 184 lbs, Minnesota’s Max McEnelly dished the second upset by garnering a 4-3 decision against Penn State’s Rocco Welsh. Coming in at No. 1 seed, Welsh was yet again the favorite on the leaderboard, expected to lead the race; however, the plan got decimated by McEnelly. Despite getting hit with a stall warning, McEnelly subdued the late push at round three and grabbed victory as the clock ran out.
With this, McEnelly became the first in Minnesota history to win the finals at 184 since Gable Stevenson back in 2022.
#3 Landon Robideau vs. Antrell Taylor (157 lbs): Robideau wins by 4-2 Decision
The third upset of the night unfolded when Landon Robideau of Oklahoma State, the No. 5 seed, claimed a 4-2 decision victory against Nebraska’s No. 2 seed, Antrell Taylor. Oklahoma State, with its massive winning legacy of 34 NCAA championships, has already made a name for itself, and with the freshman tag and a huge seed-difference victory, Robideau has created history for generations.
During the bout, there was a brief stall call on Taylor while trying to build momentum; however, Robideau came on strong. Despite almost getting a takedown, Taylor couldn’t execute the move as time ran out, and Robideau took the trophy home.
#4 Sergio Vega vs. Jesse Mendez (141 lbs): Vega wins by 4-1 SV Decision
The Oklahoma Cowboys led the final upset of the night when Sergio Vega took a sudden victory against Ohio’s reigning champion, Jesse Mendez, with a 4-1 decision. Within 2 minutes of the overtime period, Mendez went for a double-leg takedown and went for a tight grip on the legs; however, Vega overpowered him through the exchange until he got Mendez out and grabbed victory.
Jesse Mendez was the reigning champion, while Sergio Vega came in as a freshman and punched his finale ticket after beating Brock Hardy at the semifinals. Mendez, coming in at the No. 1 seed, was a favorite to win. The upset revolves around the gap in experience and a freshman’s rise to the occasion.
As the tournament ends, the season will be remembered for continued legacies, alongside the dominance of emerging athletes, all of which will ultimately shape the upcoming seasons.
Read more:
AJ Ferrari’s Shocking HGH Accusation, Demands Drug Test on Yonger Bastida After NCAA SF Loss
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
