Three NCWA Transition Programs Successfully Move to NCAA Division II
DALLAS, Texas — Three wrestling programs that utilized the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s Transition Program have successfully reached full NCAA Division II membership, marking another significant success for the NCWA’s role in supporting collegiate wrestling programs moving between national governing organizations. The University of Jamestown and Point Park University became full NCAA Division II members effective September 1, 2026, while Menlo College received full active Division II membership effective September 11 following a successful appeal to the NCAA. All three institutions are now eligible for NCAA Division II postseason competition.
The NCWA Transition Program was established to provide postseason opportunities for established wrestling programs whose institutions are changing competitive divisions and are temporarily ineligible for postseason competition within their new governing organization. Under NCWA rules, transition programs may compete in NCWA Conference Championships and advance qualifiers to the NCWA National Championships during that transition period. The arrangement allows student-athletes to continue competing for conference and national honors while their universities complete the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA membership process.
Menlo College provided perhaps the most dramatic example of what that opportunity can produce. The Oaks won the NCWA Men’s National Championship in both 2025 and 2026 while transitioning to NCAA Division II. Menlo’s NCAA-transition team crowned three individual national champions and produced 10 All-Americans in 2025, then followed with six national champions and nine All-Americans in 2026. Over those two NCWA championship seasons, Menlo accumulated two team national championships, nine individual national titles and 19 All-American honors. Menlo scored 235.5 points to win the 2026 championship after scoring 214.5 in its 2025 title run.
The University of Jamestown also made an immediate impact during its NCAA transition. The Jimmies captured the 2026 NCWA Northwest Conference Championship behind seven individual champions … more at … https://ncwa.net/news/2026/three-ncwa-transition-programs-successfully-move-to-ncaa-division-ii?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
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After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
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