CEDAR RAPIDS - Washington and Lee University will send a program-record five wrestlers to the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, set for March 13–14 at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The American Rivers Conference, in partnership with Cedar Rapids Tourism, will host the national championship event in the City of Five Seasons.

The Generals’ historic contingent includes Vincent Ziccardi (133), Skyler Hickman (141), Evan Lindner (149), Liam Flanagan (157) and Carter Stack (285). Each claimed ODAC Championships and First Team All-ODAC honors before securing their national bids at the NCAA Region IV Championships in Ada, Ohio.

“We’re excited to have five qualifiers this year, the most in program history,” said Head Coach Nathan Shearer. “The national tournament is always a great environment, and Cedar Rapids is such a great location that it draws large crowds from the regional wrestling community.”

Washington and Lee earned its five NCAA qualifiers after finishing fourth at the NCAA Region IV Championships with 153.5 team points, marking one of the strongest postseason performances in program history.

Collectively, the five wrestlers have produced a 117–20 record this season, accounting for 433.5 team points, 1,161 match points and 233 takedowns, while recording 51 bonus-point victories.

Competition begins Friday with Session I preliminary rounds at 10:00 a.m. (Central Time) across six mats. Championship quarterfinals will follow Friday evening, with semifinal matches scheduled for Saturday morning and the national finals set for 7:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Fans can access live results, video streams and championship brackets through the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship microsite, with tickets available through CREventslive and Ticketmaster.

First Matches
 

Washington and Lee’s five NCAA qualifiers will begin competition across the opening sessions of the championship tournament on Friday at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

Vincent Ziccardi (133) will be the first General to take the mat, opening the day in Bout 10 against Lucas Torre (18–2) of New Jersey City. Ziccardi enters the national tournament for the second consecutive season, the Kings Park, N.Y. native holds a 22–7 record and looks to build on his ODAC championship and regional runner-up finish.

Skyler Hickman (141) follows in Bout 15, where he will face Caleb Nobiling of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Hickman carries an 18–4 record into the national tournament after capturing the ODAC title and placing second at the regional meet to earn his first NCAA berth.

Evan Lindner (149) will compete in Bout 19 against Riese Thornberry (28–13) of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Lindner enters the championship with a 21–9 record and is making his third career appearance at the NCAA Championships after finishing third at the Region IV tournament.

At 157 pounds, Liam Flanagan, the No. 5 seed, receives a first-round bye. The undefeated sophomore (28–0) will begin his tournament in Bout 85, where he will face the winner of Bout 22 between Thomas DiResta (16–4) of Johnson & Wales (Providence) and Paul Lichter (22–4) of St. John Fisher.

Carter Stack (285), the No. 4 seed, also receives a first-round bye and is scheduled to wrestle in Bout 126. The undefeated heavyweight (28–0) will face the winner of Bout 48 between Markos Mihalopoulos (22–10) of Wisconsin–La Crosse and ODAC-foe Nicholas Cook (25–13) of Roanoke.

LIVE VIDEO 
Opening Press Conference | Bouts on FloWrestling

CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS
CREventslive Website
All-Session Tickets | Session I Tickets | Session II Tickets | Session III Tickets | Session IV Tickets

Championship Information
NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championship Webpage | Pre-Championship Brackets

VINCENT ZICCARDI

133 Weight Class (22-7 overall)

Vincent Ziccardi enters the NCAA Championships after assembling one of the most productive seasons in the region at 133 pounds. The junior carries a 22–7 record into nationals and has generated 61.5 team points and 192 match points while consistently attacking from neutral with 35 takedowns. His offense has produced 17 bonus-point victories, including two falls, three technical falls and two major decisions, along with 12 decisions. Ziccardi has also been dominant on top, producing 11 total nearfall sequences (4 N2, 1 N3, 6 N4) throughout the season.

Ziccardi captured the ODAC Championship at 133 pounds to earn First Team All-ODAC honors, defeating Talon Whicker by technical fall in the quarterfinals before securing decisions over Shenandoah’s Anakin Burks and Roanoke’s Michael Policarpio in the championship match.

At the NCAA Region IV Championships, Ziccardi finished runner-up to secure his second career NCAA qualification. His path included three victories and a semifinal win over Chase Vanderhorst (Ohio Northern) before advancing to the final. With his combination of experience, pace and scoring ability, Ziccardi returns to the national stage looking to build on last year’s appearance.

SKYLER HICKMAN

141 Weight Class (18-4 overall)
 

Skyler Hickman has put together a breakout campaign at 141 pounds, compiling an 18–4 record with 72.5 team points and 184 match points. The junior has demonstrated a balanced attack with 38 takedowns, nine bonus-point wins and 12 total nearfall sequences (10 N4) while securing victories in a variety of ways. His bonus wins include four falls, five technical falls and three major decisions, paired with four decisions throughout the season.

Hickman claimed the ODAC Championship at 141 pounds to earn First Team All-ODAC recognition, opening the tournament with a technical fall over Adrian Fox (Randolph) before adding a 9–1 major decision over Shenandoah’s Sean Rinebolt in the semifinals. He closed the event with a 5–1 decision over Mitchell Johnson (Greensboro) in the championship match.

At the NCAA Region IV Championships, Hickman reached the finals to place second, securing his first career NCAA Championship berth. His run included a dramatic sudden-victory semifinal win that propelled him into the championship bout. Hickman’s aggressive neutral wrestling and scoring versatility make him a dangerous competitor heading into Cedar Rapids.

EVAN LINDNER

149 Weight Class (21-9 overall)

Senior Evan Lindner enters the NCAA Championships with one of the most explosive offensive resumes on the team including a program-record of 103 career wins. Wrestling at 149 pounds, Lindner owns a 21–9 record this season, generating 72 team points and 258 match points while leading the Generals with 60 takedowns. His offense has translated into 13 bonus-point victories, including five falls, six technical falls and two major decisions, alongside four decisions. Lindner has also produced five total nearfall combinations (all N4) during the season.

Lindner captured the ODAC Championship at 149 pounds, earning First Team All-ODAC honors with a dominant tournament run. He recorded back-to-back falls over Richie Kulessa (Southern Virginia) and Josue DelCid (Greensboro) before defeating Jackson Rowling (Roanoke) 4–1 in sudden victory in the championship match.

At the NCAA Region IV Championships, Lindner demonstrated his resilience with a third-place finish, earning his third career NCAA qualification. After an early loss in the championship bracket, he rallied with four consecutive consolation wins, including a technical fall, a fall and two sudden-victory victories. His experience and ability to score quickly make him a dangerous contender at nationals.

LIAM FLANAGAN

157 Weight Class (28-0 overall)

Sophomore Liam Flanagan is one of two undefeated wrestlers in the Generals' lineup this season, entering the NCAA Championships with an undefeated 28–0 record at 157 pounds. The sophomore has generated 110.5 team points and 287 match points, the highest total on the team, while recording 55 takedowns and consistently producing bonus-point victories. Flanagan has earned 16 bonus wins, including seven falls, seven technical falls and two major decisions, along with 10 decisions. He has also produced 19 total nearfall sequences (1 N2, 3 N3, 15 N4) throughout the season.

Flanagan secured the ODAC Championship at 157 pounds, earning First Team All-ODAC honors with an impressive tournament run. He opened with a 19–3 technical fall over Matthew Garland (Randolph), followed with another technical fall (17–0) over Hunter Ballantine (Shenandoah), before defeating Casey Smith (Roanoke) 4–1 in sudden victory in the championship match.

At the NCAA Region IV Championships, Flanagan captured the regional title, going undefeated across the two-day tournament and totaling 24 team points. His performance secured his first NCAA Championship appearance and established him as one of the most dominant wrestlers in the bracket entering nationals.

CARTER STACK

285 Weight Class (28-0 overall)
 

Sophomore Carter Stack has been a force at heavyweight this season, entering the NCAA Championships with a perfect 28–0 record. The sophomore has accumulated 117 team points and 240 match points, while recording 45 takedowns and 18 bonus-point victories. Stack’s finishing ability has been particularly impressive with eight falls, four technical falls and six major decisions, along with nine decisions. His top control has produced 13 nearfall sequences (2 N2, 1 N3, 10 N4) during the year.

Stack captured the ODAC Championship at 285 pounds, earning First Team All-ODAC honors with a dominant performance. After receiving a quarterfinal bye, he pinned Shenandoah’s Rives Hargis in 1:07 in the semifinals before defeating Roanoke’s Nicholas Cook 14–1 by major decision in the championship bout.

At the NCAA Region IV Championships, Stack claimed the regional title to secure his first NCAA Championship qualification. His tournament included four victories, highlighted by a technical fall and a major decision, showcasing his ability to score both on the mat and from neutral. After placing fifth at last year’s regional, Stack returns this season as a regional champion heading into Cedar Rapids.