RECAP: #RollWolves win first national title in program history; Gillings is @NJCAA All-American
— SUNY Niagara Thunderwolves (@NCThunderwolves) March 9, 2026
Inside:
- Breakdown, final season update for all qualifiers
- All 51 All-Americans from Coach K's files@SUNYNiagara @NJCAAReg3 @GNN_Sports_ @wnywrestlinghttps://t.co/gUJEVrIPe2 pic.twitter.com/xGCllJlnA7
SUNY Niagara left Sanborn for a mid-week trip to the Midwest and returned home Monday as national champions.
For the first time in their 53-year history, the Thunderwolves became Division III National Champions during the second and final day of the NJCAA National Championships Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This was also just the third national championship in SUNY Niagara history and the first since Men’s Bowling in 1976 and 1979.
With 10 members competing, SUNY Niagara finished with the top team score in Division III with 59.5 points, 0.5 points ahead of Harper College, and was 13th overall in scoring. Last season, the program finished runners-up to Rochester (Minn.), 68-44 in the Division III scoring.
Today was for Coach K!
— SUNY Niagara Thunderwolves (@NCThunderwolves) March 7, 2026
First @NJCAA Div. III National Championship in program history for #RollWolves wrestling. 58.5 points, .5 ahead of Harper.
Third NJCAA national title in school history (Men’s Bowling 1976, 1979)@SUNYNiagara @NJCAAReg3 @GNN_Sports_ @wnywrestling pic.twitter.com/cLa5EC7x53
Head Coach Keith Maute received the NJCAA National Coach of the Year and National Tournament Coach of the Year awards. These are the latest honors this season for Maute, who received NJCAA Region III & Northeast District I Coach of the Year honors for the 13th time in his career on Feb. 21 and has previously won NYS College Coach of the Year and NJCAA Man of the Year once.
AIDAN THE ALL-AMERICAN!!!
— SUNY Niagara Thunderwolves (@NCThunderwolves) March 7, 2026
Congrats Aidan Gillings of #RollWolves wrestling on becoming a @NJCAA All-American Saturday in Iowa! The @Newfane_HS graduate is the 51st different Thunderwolf to receive the honor at least once in a career. @SUNYNiagara @GNN_Sports_ @wnywrestling pic.twitter.com/Jp1fO6mcnS
Freshman and Newfane resident Aidan Gillings had the best performance for the Thunderwolves with a fifth-place finish at 149 pounds for a 5-2 record and became the 51st NJCAA All-American in program history.
Gillings began the two-day tournament with a pin and a technical fall but lost to Southwest Nebraska’s Ayson Rice in an 11-7 decision in the championship quarterfinals. Gillings bounced back with back-to-back pins in the first two consolation rounds against Cowley’s Ryker Agee and Rochester Minnesota’s Gunner Johnson but lost to Western Wyoming’s Tommy Dalton in a 17-6 medical decision in the consolation semifinals. Gillings then defeated Clackamas’s Reggie Raiz in an 8-4 decision for the 149 fifth-place match, which also helped the Thunderwolves clinch the national championship.
Freshman and Lewiston-Porter graduate Jaron Barrientos went 4-2 at 125. After a forfeit win in the round of 64, Barrientos pinned Iowa Lake’s Dominic Chimeno in the round of 32 but lost in a 17-2 technical fall to Nassau CC’s Shane Dobbins in the championship round of 16.
Barrientos then picked up back-to-back wins with a medical decision and a technical fall and advanced to the second round of the consolation quarterfinals. Barrientos’ season ended in a 4-1 defeat in sudden victory to Iowa Western’s Noah Jones.
At 174, Aiden Poe finished 3-2 in his final SUNY Niagara appearance. Poe won by a 15-0 technical fall in the round of 32 against Pratt’s Trystian Juarez, but lost in the round of 16 in an 11-3 medical decision to Southeast Nebraska’s Dylan Scott.
Poe then recorded a 15-0 technical fall against Triton’s Bennett Eichert and a 12-5 decision versus Northwest’s Dustin Rodes and advanced to the second round of the consolation quarterfinals. Poe’s Thunderwolf career ended with an 11-1 medical against Western Wyoming’s Francisco Ayala.
Matt Leehan went 3-2 at 157 to finish his first year with the Thunderwolves. After a pin over Lackawanna College’s Connor Ordek, Leehan was eliminated in the round of 32 in a 2-1 decision by Northeastern Oklahoma’s Kadence Roop.
Leehan then picked up a technical win against Bryant & Stratton’s Ian O’Connor and pinned Muskegon’s Darnell Mack through the consolation rounds of 16. Leehan’s season ended in the consolation quarterfinals in a 6-4 decision versus Nassau CC’s John De La Rosa.
Freshman Trevor Copes finished 3-2 at 141. Copes picked up back-to-back wins by decision against Henry Ford’s Luke Gittens and Neosho County’s Evan Coble and advanced to the round of 16, but was pinned by North Idaho’s Parker Ballantyne.
Copes then won in the consolation round of 16 in a 4-1 decision against Harper College’s Lennen Steinkuechler. His season ended in a 9-1 medical decision to Andrew’s Clint Gilbert in the consolation of eight.
Freshman and Wilson resident Jacob Stephenson finished 2-2 at 197. Stephenson began with back-to-back pins against Neosho County’s John Davis and Camden County’s Anthony Evanselita.
Stephenson then lost in a 9-2 decision to Indian Hills’ Andrew Marquez in the championship quarterfinals. Stephenson then lost to Cowley’s Jason Osgood in an 8-2 decision in the consolation of eight.
At 165, sophomore and Niagara Wheatfield graduate Joe Cicco went 1-2. After a bye in the round of 64, Cicco won a 2-0 decision over Sussex County’s Jose Alvarenga-Giron in the round of 32.
Clackamas' Henry Dillingham pined Cicco in the round of 16. Cicco later lost in a 12-9 decision in sudden victory to Southwestern Oregon’s Landyn Philpott in the consolation of 16.
Fellow sophomore Bobby Ranger went 1-2 at 184 in his final appearance. Lackawanna’s Jeremiah Diaz pinned Ranger in the round of 32 to begin the tournament.
In the consolation round of 16, Ranger won in a 17-5 medical decision over Isaiah Flores of Bryant & Stratton-Wisconsin but then lost to Snowden’s Kenneth Phillips in a 4-2 decision.
Hamza Merrick went 0-2 at 285 after he was pinned in the round of 32 to Iowa Cenral’s Zaman Amwa followed by a 3-2 decision to Garrett College’s Elijah Boston in the consolation of 16.
In his final SUNY Niagara appearance, sophomore and Niagara Falls High School graduate Vinny Falsetti went 0-2 at 133. Falsetti was pinned in the opening round by Iowa Central’s Tegan Sherk and then lost in a 10-0 medical decision to Harper College’s Sam Sirkorski in the consolation round of 32.
NJCAA Championships Division III Team Scores: 1. SUNY Niagara 58.5; 2. Harper College 58; 3. Rochester (Minn.) 46; 4. Onondaga CC 32.5; 5. Nassau CC 30; 6. Camden County 18.5; 7. Union 15.5; 8. Bergen 9; T9. Northampton 3; T9. Rowan Gloucester 3; 11. Penn Highland 2.5; 12. Minnesota West 2; T13. Itasca, Joliet, Northland, Ridgewater, Thaddeus Stevens 0
NOTES:
Previously a five-time state qualifier at Newfane High School, Gillings finished his first year at SUNY Niagara with a 26-4 record and a team-high 19 pins. A two-time NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week on Nov. 11 and Feb. 4, Gillings went unbeaten at four events this season (Defend the Lake Open Nov. 8, NJCAA Div. III National Duals Jan. 10, Whizzer Open Feb. 1 and NJCAA Region III/District X Championships Feb. 21)
Barrientos finished his freshman campaign as the team leader in wins (33-9) and fifth in pins (11). The former two-time state qualifier at Lewiston-Porter High School also finished first in his weight class at six different events (Ben McMullen Open Nov. 1, Defend the Lake Open Nov. 8, NYS Collegiate Championships Nov. 22, Jamestown CC Jayhawk Open Jan. 25, Whizzer Open Feb. 1 and the NJCAA Region III/District X Championships Feb. 21).
Dating back to his perfect 5-0 day at the NJCAA Division III National Duals on Jan. 10, Poe won 17 of his last 21 matches and finished his sophomore season at 29-12. The NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week on Jan. 13, Poe finished 53-16 overall and is 29th all-time in career wins.
Leehan finished with a 22-3 record and 12 pins and was one of six Thunderwolves to record 20 victories this season. Leehan won 11 of his last 13 matches, dating back to the Jayhawk Open on Jan. 25 and his longest win streak was 11 straight matches from the Thunderwolves Open Dec. 6 through the Jayhawk Open Jan. 25.
Before his loss in the championship round of 16 at nationals, Copes had won each of his last 18 matches at 141, a stretch that began at the NYS Collegiate Championships on Nov. 22. A two-time NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week, the Delaware native finished with a 30-4 record, won six events and is believed to be the first Thunderwolf to take first place in his first outings (Ben McMullen Nov. 1 - Nassau Open Dec. 13).
With championships at 197 at the Whizzer Open on Feb. 1 and the NJCAA Region III/District X championships as part of his resume, Stephenson finished his freshman season with an 18-4 record. Previously a state runner-up in each of his last two seasons at 160 at Wilson High School, Stephenson’s 15 pins are second on the team, behind only Aidan Gillings (19).
Cicco finished his sophomore season and career on a high note as he won 16 of his last 21 matches, dating back to a victory against Garrett College at the Thunderwolves Open on Dec. 5, and was 31-12 overall with 13 pins. The NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week on Dec. 10, Cicco finished 55-25 in his two-year career and is tied with 2001 graduate Brian Benson and 2009 graduate John Taylor for 25th all-time in wins.
After he clinched his first-ever first-place finish at an event during the NJCAA Region III/District X championships Feb. 21, Ranger finished his sophomore campaign with a 10-16 record. Ranger reached the podium four times in his career and finished 17-30 overall.
Merrick finished his freshman season on a surge as he won 12 of his last 19 matches and won at least two matches at an event three times. One of seven different Thunderwolves with at least 10 pins this season, the former state champion at Wilson High School finished 17-19.
Falsetti finished his sophomore season with a 15-16 record and won at 133 at the Defend the Lake Open on Nov. 8. The Niagara Falls High School alum finished with a 30-32 career record.
SUNY Niagara Wrestling NJCAA All-Americans (51 Individuals… *6 are 2x selections):
Name Season Place Weight High School
Bob Sanders 1974-75 3rd 150 Tonawanda
Willie Moore 1976-77 National Champion 134 Niagara Falls
Max Grimes 1977-78 5th 150 Grand Island
Mike Morley 1981-82 7th 134 Medina
Kevin Bos 1985-86 7th 150 Sweet Home
Wes Askew 1987-88 7th 118 Medina
Mark Jurek 1988-89 National Champion 177 Tonawanda
Dan Uhteg 1990-91 National Champion 190 Clarence
Troy Thomas 1992-93 8th 190 Grand Island
Brian Dowdall 1993-94 8th 118 Kenmore East
Mark Bowman 1993-94 6th 134 Tonawanda
Willie Cunningham 1993-94 8th 158 Royalton-Hartland
Jon Hoover 1993-94 5th 167 Niagara Wheatfield
Paul Conibear 1993-94 8th 177 Batavia
Mike Rogers 1994-95 5th 190 Warren, Pa.
Tim Fike 1994-95 8th 275 North Tonawanda
Jeff Mye 1998-99 6th 125 Attica
Brad Rowe 1998-99 4th 141 Ripley
Rashad Evans 1998-99 4th 165 Niagara Wheatfield*
Rashad Evans 1999-00 National Champion 165 Niagara Wheatfield*
Mahnseah Boley 1999-00 8th 197 Brockport
Tevon Fordyce 2000-01 5th 165 Copiaque
Derek Ostrowski 2002-03 7th 149 Lancaster
Bill Morello 2003-04 8th 141 Lockport
Josh Lange 2004-05 7th 141 Niagara Wheatfield
Kyle Schmelzle 2004-05 2nd 174 Niagara Wheatfield
Colin Thompson 2005-06 6th 285 Grand Island
Dale DeBacco 2006-07 4th 149 Niagara Falls*
Pat Hagerty 2007-08 8th 133 Attica
Dale DeBacco 2007-08 4th 149 Niagara Falls*
Justin James 2007-08 8th 157 Brockport
Jared Lemke 2008-09 4th 125 Alden
Shay Shive 2008-09 5th 149 Biglerville, Pa.*
John Taylor 2008-09 5th 197 Lockport
Shay Shive 2009-10 3rd 149 Biglerville, Pa.*
Troy Ireland 2010-11 5th 165 Batavia
Kyle Gibas 2010-11 6th 285 Starpoint
Kris Schimek 2011-12 2nd 165 Pine Valley*
Lance Moore 2011-12 3rd 285 Johnson City
Irvin Buck 2012-13 8th 157 Niagara Falls
Kris Schimek 2012-13 4th 165 Pine Valley*
Cody McGregor 2015-16 8th 149 Tonawanda
Zach Colgan 2015-16 6th 157 Johnson City
Alex Kelly 2015-16 8th 174 Pine Valley
Anthony Liberatore 2015-16 6th 184 Williamsville South
Troy Keller 2016-17 5th 165 North Tonawanda*
John Reina 2017-18 8th 149 Garden City
Troy Keller 2017-18 National Champion 165 North Tonawanda*
Greg Quinn 2018-19 4th 125 Shady Side, Ohio
Freddy Eckles 2018-19 7th 141 Lake Shore
Mason Gray 2019-20 6th 141 Warsaw
Frankie Gissendanner 2019-20 4th 149 Penfield*
Jordan Bushey 2019-20 National Champion 174 Peru
Frankie Gissendanner 2022 8th 141 Penfield*
Kace Cook 2024 8th 157 Central Valley Academy
Te’Shaun Mathews 2025 6th 149 Niagara Wheatfield
Aidan Gillings 2026 5th 149 Newfane