Takedown Report

Wartburg Claims Fifth-Straight NCAA Regional Title; Nine punch ticket to NCAA Championships

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The No. 1/2-ranked Wartburg College men’s wrestling team claimed its fifth-straight NCAA Division III Region VI championship—and 12th overall—amassing 210.5 team points and qualifying nine wrestlers for the NCAA Division III National Championship meet – the Knights’ team-point total ranks as the third-most across all of the NCAA Div. III Regionals this year. 
Head coach Eric Keller was named Region VI Coach of the Year for the fifth time, while the Wartburg coaching staff earned Region VI Staff of the Year honors.
The Knights crowned five regional champions, led by Brett Birchman, Kade Blume, Kasey Ross, Cal Dorota, and Mitchell Williamson. Wartburg’s five individual titles marked the program’s highest total since the 2017–18 season, when the Knights produced seven champions.
Birchman completed an undefeated weekend at 125 pounds, securing national qualification with a pair of decisions. He earned a 12–8 semifinal victory before grinding out a 3–1 win in the championship bout.
At 133, Patrick Mullen advanced to the national meet with a runner-up finish. Mullen opened day two with a 7–2 semifinal decision before suffering his first loss of the regional in the championship match.
Blume dominated the 141-pound bracket, posting a perfect 4–0 record on day two. … more at … https://go-knights.net/news/2026/2/28/mens-wrestling-wartburg-claims-fifth-straight-ncaa-regional-title-nine-punch-ticket-to-ncaa-championships.aspx

March 7, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized