Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska Wesleyan wrestling program enters the 2025-26 campaign with renewed energy and a clear sense of direction under second-year head coach Colton McCrystal. After laying the foundation last winter, the Prairie Wolves are focused on turning lessons learned into results as they continue to grow within one of the toughest conferences in Division III, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C).

Last season, NWU finished with a 3-8 dual record and went 2-6 in A-R-C competition, showing flashes of promise against some of the region's best. The highlight of the year came in a dominant 45-6 win over Buena Vista the program's largest A-R-C victory in program history. 

While the Prairie Wolves were outscored 354-171 over the course of the dual season, McCrystal and his staff view those numbers not as setbacks, but as a starting point for progress.

Nebraska Wesleyan competed in seven tournaments last season, gaining valuable experience against top regional and national opponents. Jared Gallub and Robbie Fisher each earned victories on day one of the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional. Gallub ended up finishing 5th in the extremely competitive 141-lb weight class. Fisher finished 8th at 133-lbs. 

The 2025-26 roster returns a motivated core of wrestlers who have been battle-tested within the A-R-C. With the leadership of returners like Fisher and Emilio Chavez anchoring the lineup, and a crop of new faces eager to make an immediate impact, McCrystal expects a deeper, more competitive squad across all weight classes.

The Prairie Wolves will open their 2025-26 season in November, with a challenging slate that includes multiple conference duals and regional tournaments throughout the winter.