Men’s College Notebook: Under the radar NCAA title threats, 11 duals between ranked teams

It is now less than two months before the 2026 NCAA Championships take place in Cleveland. As we are rolling with conference duals, each weight class has seen movement in the rankings as more national title contenders are starting to be identified.

Today, we look at one wrestler from each weight class that might be flying under the national radar.

Before this season: Renteria saw limited action before a breakout season last year. He was at Illinois for his first two years before transferring to Oregon State. He was limited to only two matches in 2024, but one was a win over eventual national champion Richard Figueroa. Last year, he won a Pac-12 title and advanced to the NCAAs for the first time. 

This year: Renteria has started this season 14-2, with his only two losses being to top-15 foes. He has been battle-tested. Dating back to Dec. 5 at the CKLV Invitational, each of his last seven opponents have all been ranked. He has five wins in that span, highlighted by a 7-6 decision over #11 Nico Provo of Stanford.

Before this season: Serrano started his collegiate career at Nebraska, posting a 13-13 record as a freshman. The native of Windsor, Colorado, made the move to Northern Colorado and was 45-8 in the last two seasons. A two-time NCAA qualifier, he was the fifth seed at NCAAs last year after winning a Big 12 title.

This year: Undefeated on the year at 9-0. He started the season with a ranked win at NC State to open the year, but then missed time and did not return to the lineup until a Dec. 30 dual. But the wait was worth it, as he claimed the title at the Southern Scuffle and was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament, going 5-0.

Before this season: After an EIWA title at 141 pounds as a freshman in 2023, Cornella was named the Rookie of the Year. He qualified for the NCAA Championships for a second straight year but was forced to miss the tournament after suffering a torn ACL. He sat out all last year recovering from the injury.

This year: He was in tournament action for the first semester and wasn’t inserted into the dual lineup until late December. He made a statement at the Southern Scuffle. Seeded 13^th in the bracket, he finished atop the podium after a 7-2 win over #5 CJ Composto of Penn in the final.

Before this season: Three seasons as a starter prior to this year, but did not compete last season. As a sophomore in 2023, earned a wild card slot to the NCAAs and went 1-2. Last time he was in action, he advanced to day two of the NCAAs after winning eight of his final nine matches in the regular season.

This year: Undefeated at 12-0, his only loss doesn’t count as it was to high schooler Bo Bassett at the Clarion Open to start the season. But at that tournament, he captured third place, ending his run with a 10-4 decision over #3 Ethan Stiles of Ohio State. In December, he took an 8-1 win over #11 Casey Swiderski of Oklahoma State in the final of the Cougar Clash.

Before this season: Redshirted his first season, 2024. His career began that year with a fall in the dual against Iowa State. Then, in November, he won his bracket at the Bill Farrell Memorial, the youngest wrestler to win his bracket. 

This year: Started the season and jumped up to #2 nationally at 149 pounds. He made waves when he made the permanent move up to 157 pounds. He debuted at the new weight in the first week of January and went back-to-back with top wins. First, it was 4-1 decision over #3 Vinny Zerban of Iowa State, then 4-2 over #1 Ty Watters of West Virginia in a span of just four days. Overall, 15-1 in all matches, 4-0 at 157 pounds with three ranked wins.

Before this season: After a redshirt year, started the last three seasons. Was an NCAA qualifier in 2024. Breakout year last season, claiming a seventh-place finish and All-American honors at 157 pounds. Also was a Pac-12 champion and set a career-high with 27 wins. Older brothers Paul and Joey are Little Rock Wrestling alums.

This year: In his fifth season at Little Rock, he sits undefeated at a perfect 13-0. Claimed a title at the Southern Scuffle, including a 5-1 decision over Army’s Gunner Filipowicz in the final.

Before this season: As a freshman, was an NCAA qualifier in 2024 and won a pair of matches. Improved on that showing last year, taking eighth place and earning All-American honors.

This year: Sits at 16-2 on the year, perfect 6-0 in duals, five going for bonus points. Is also 6-1 in ranked matches. Placed second at the CKLV Invitational with a pair of ranked wins. Followed that with a championship run at the Soldier Salute, taking out Iowa’s Gabe Arnold 4-1 in the final.

Before this season: He was the 2024 NCAA Elite 90 Award winner. That year, he was 30-11 overall and an NCAA qualifier. Last year, he took a redshirt.

This year: In a weight class that features only three touted upperclassmen, Conway has had a breakout season thus far. Is 25-1 on the year, 5-0 in duals. He also has four tournament wins: Southeast Open, Keystone Classic, CKLV and F&M Open. At CKLV, took out #10 Isaac Dean of Iowa State (9-5) and then #7 Brock Mantanona of Michigan in the final (5-0). According to the school, he leads all of Division I (all weights) in takedowns (74), tech falls (10), and wins (25) this year.

Before this season: Redshirted his first season in 2023. Won the starting spot at 184 pounds as a redshirt-freshman and earned All-American honors with a fourth-place finish after entering as the ninth seed. Was also an NCAA qualifier last year at 184 pounds.

This year: Holds an 8-1 record, 7-0 in duals. His lone loss was a medical forfeit at the Cliff Keen, and he made his way back into action earlier in January. Four of his last five wins have all been by tech fall or pin.

Before this season: Spent last season at Iowa State, only competing during the fall semester after sustaining a season-ending injury. Was at 197 pounds. He committed to Oklahoma State out of high school and redshirted at heavyweight during his time in Stillwater.

This year: Owns a 13-4 record, with seven bonus point wins. Was runner-up at the CKLV Invitational with a pair of top-10 wins over #4 Taye Ghadiali of Michigan (11-2) and then #9 Spencer Lanosga of Navy (8-5). Also holds a top-10 win over #9 Cole Mirasola of Penn State (10-4).