Wisconsin competes in day one of NCAA Championships

Thursday, March 19

Cleveland, Ohio

Wisconsin Badgers

2026 NCAA Championships

Wisconsin competes in day one of NCAA Championships

March 19, 2026 | Wrestling

Badgers battle through opening rounds

By: Aliza Manekia

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Wisconsin wrestling opened competition at the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Thursday, competing through the first day of action in Cleveland.

Day One

Luke Mechler got the Badgers started at 157, earning the first win of the day with a hard fought decision over South Dakota State's Cael Swensen. Trailing 1-0 entering the third period, Mechler responded with an escape and secured riding time to edge ahead and advance to the Round of 16.

As the opening session wrapped up, the remaining Badgers shifted into the consolation bracket, continuing to fight for placement points.

At 133, Zan Fugitt delivered a clutch performance. Down 4-2 late in the third, Fugitt secured a takedown in the final 30 seconds to take a 5-4 decision and extend his tournament run in consolations.

Cody Goebel found his momentum in the second period, recording back to back takedowns to take control of his match. He closed out an 11-7 decision and advances into Day 2.

Braxton Amos capped off the day for Wisconsin with a dominant showing in the consolation round, earning a 9-0 major decision to close out Day 1 action.

Wisconsin Results
125 - Nicolar Rivera
Champ. Round 1 - Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton) won by fall over Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin) (Fall 5:35)
Cons. Round 1 - Cooper Flynn (Chattanooga) won by decision over Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin) (Dec. 9-5)

133 - Zan Fugitt
Champ. Round 1 - T.K. Davis (Gardner-Webb) won by decision over Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) (Dec. 4-1)
Cons. Round 1 - Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) won by decision over Carter Schmidt (Oklahoma) (Dec. 5-4)

149 - Joseph Zargo
Champ. Round 1 - Chance Lamer (Nebraska) won by decision over Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin) (Dec. 4-1)
Cons. Round 1 - Kaden Cassidy (George Mason) won by fall over Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin) (Fall 1:38)

157 - Luke Mechler
Champ. Round 1 - Luke Mechler (Wisconsin) won by decision over Cael Swensen (South Dakota State) (Dec. 2-1)
Champ. Round 2 - PJ Duke (Penn State) won by fall over Luke Mechler (Wisconsin), Fall 1:38

165 - Cody Goebel
Champ. Round 1 - LaDarion Lockett (Oklahoma State) won by decision over Cody Goebel (Wisconsin) (Dec. 9-2)
Cons. Round 1 - Cody Goebel (Wisconsin) won by decision over Brock Woodcock (SIUE) (Dec. 11-7)

174 - Luke Condon
Champ. Prelim - Grant O'Dell (Bellarmine) won by decision tiebreaker over Luke Condon (Wisconsin), (Dec. TB1 4-1)
Cons. Prelim - Riley Davis (Wyoming) won by decision tiebreaker over Luke Condon (Wisconsin), (Dec. 4-1)

197 - Wyatt Ingham
Champ. Round 1 - Bennett Berge (South Dakota State) won by decision over Wyatt Ingham (Wisconsin) (Dec. 8-5)
Cons. Round 1 - Sonny Sasso (Virgina Tech) won by fall over Wyatt Ingham (Wisconsin) (Fall 4:27)

285 - Braxton Amos
Champ. Round 1 - Juan Mora (Oklahoma) won by decision over Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) (Dec. 4-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) won by major decision over Jarrett Stoner (Missouri) (Major Dec. 9-0)