Rider Captures Program’s First MAC Wrestling Championship!

Team Scores | Final BracketsBUFFALO, NY – Rider University made program history on Saturday evening in Alumni Arena, capturing the program’s first-ever Mid-American Conference Championship title. The Broncs’ Head Coach John Hangey and senior Tyler Klinsky were voted as MAC Coach of the Year and MAC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler, respectively.Klinsky (125 lbs.) kicked off the night by winning his first individual title to cap a fantastic conference career. Rider and Lock Haven were tied in the team standings at 100 points apiece, and the tie was broken when Brock Zurawski (Rider) defeated Tucker Hogan (Lock Haven) in a 6-4 decision to earn the Broncs two team points.Lock Haven’s Wyatt Henson won his third-consecutive title match in the 141 lbs. class, and was followed by teammate Lucas Kapusta (149 lbs.) winning his first gold at the conference tournament in a 2-1 decision.Ohio led all teams with three individual champions, including Derek Raike (15 lbs.), Sal Perrine (184 lbs.), and Zayne Lehman (197 lbs.).Up next for the individual qualifiers, the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championship will take place at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 19-21.

1. Rider, 102.0
2. Lock Haven, 100.0
3. SIUE, 88.0
4. Edinboro 83.0
5. Northern Illinois, 75.5
6. Central Michigan, 65.5
7. Ohio, 64.5
8. George Mason, 61.5
9. Kent State, 43.0
10. Bloomsburg, 39.5
11. Buffalo, 24.5
12. Clarion, 22.0

 
MAC Coach of the Year: John Hangey, Rider
MAC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler: Tyler Klinsky, Rider
 

125 lbs.: Tyler Klinsky (Rider) def.  Chris Vargo (Edinboro) MD 11-3
133 lbs.: Markel Baker (Northern Illinois) def. Will Betancourt (Rider) Dec. 2-1
141 lbs.: Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) def. Elijah Griffin (Rider) SV-1 4-1
149 lbs.: Lucas Kapusta (Lock Haven) def. Caleb Tyus (SIUE) Dec. 2-1
157 lbs.: Derek Raike (Ohio) def. Garrett McChesney (Edinboro) TB-1 2-1
165 lbs.: Chris Earnest (Kent State) def. Brett Smith (Northern Illinois) Dec. 2-0
174 lbs.: Logan Messer (George Mason) def. Enrique Munguia (Rider) MD 13-5
184 lbs.: Sal Perrine (Ohio) def. Malachi DuVall (George Mason) 12-3
197 lbs.: Zayne Lehman (Ohio) def. Blake Schaffer (Kent State) Dec. 5-4
285 lbs.: Devin Dawson (Northern Illinois) def. Bryson Buhk (SIUE) Dec. 12-8
 

Tyler Klinsky, Rider
Markel Baker, Northern Illinois
Wyatt Henson, Lock Haven
Lucas Kapusta, Lock Haven
Derek Raike, Ohio
Chris Earnest, Kent State
Logan Messer, George Mason
Sal Perrine, Ohio
Zayne Lehman, Ohio
Devin Dawson, Northern Illinois
 

Chris Vargo, Edinboro
Will Betancourt, Rider
Elijah Griffin, Rider
Caleb Tyus, SIUE
Garrett McChesney, Edinboro
Brett Smith, Northern Illinois
Enrique Munguia, Rider
Malachi DuVall, George Mason
Blake Schaffer, Kent State
Bryson Buhk, SIUE