CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Wartburg College Knights led the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) and claimed the 2026 NCAA Region VI Men's Wrestling title. 29 A-R-C men's wrestlers are headed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to compete in the national championship.
The A-R-C claimed all ten weight class titles.
Wartburg College head coach, Eric Keller, was named Region Coach of the Year. The Knights claimed their 43rd A-R-C title earlier this season after a perfect 8-0 regular dual season. The Knights also earned Staff of the Year.
Loras College 157lbs wrestler, Eric Kinkaid, was named Region Outstanding Wrestler following the completion of competition.
Luther College 165lbs wrestler, Clayton McDonough, recorded the most falls in the least amount of time.
The 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championship will be held March 13-14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as the A-R-C and Cedar Rapids Tourism proudly host the championship.
A-R-C Advancing Wrestlers:
125lbs:
- Brett Birchman, Wartburg (1st)
- Brayden Parke, Coe (2nd)
- Aidan Gruenenfelder, Loras (3rd)
133lbs:
- Connor Kidd, Luther (1st)
- Patrick Mullen, Wartburg (2nd)
- Connor Fiser, Loras (3rd)
141lbs:
- Kade Blume, Wartburg (1st)
- Dresden Grimm, Coe (2nd)
- Pierre Baldwin, Central (3rd)
149lbs:
- Cade Siebrecht, Central (1st)
- Chase Fiser, Loras (2nd)
- Caleb Olson, Wartburg (3rd)
157lbs:
- Eric Kinkaid, Loras (1st)
- Charlie Dojan, Wartburg (2nd)
- Colton Weiler, Univ. of Dubuque (3rd)
165lbs:
- Bo Koedam, Coe (1st)
- Clayton McDonough, Luther (2nd)
174lbs:
- Dustin Bohren, Loras (1st)
- Bryce McDonough, Luther (2nd)
- Mike Slade, Wartburg (3rd)
184lbs:
- Kasey Ross, Wartburg (1st)
- Landry Barker, Loras (2nd)
- Zane Pannell, Univ. of Dubuque (3rd)
197lbs:
- Cal Dorota, Wartburg (1st)
- Jean Ngoma, Coe (2nd)
- Samuel West, Central (3rd)
285lbs:
- Mitch Williamson, Wartburg (1st)
- Jonah Clark, Loras (2nd)
- Wyatt Smith, Coe (3rd)
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
