MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's wrestling team continued its strong weekend start to the 2025–26 season with a dominant performance at the Georgia Open this weekend. Producing two individual champions, 11 total finalists, and 13 podium finishers in a deep collegiate field, the Running Eagles picked right back up where they left off last season as a top NAIA team in the nation. Leading the way were title-winners Mauro Michel (141 lbs) and Gio Jackson (197 lbs), while four all-Life finals highlighted the team's unparalleled depth across the middle and upper weights.

At 141 lbs, Michel controlled the bracket from start to finish, earning five victories—including three pins in the championship rounds—to secure his first open title of the year. The redshirt-junior closed out his first run as a Running Eagle with a first-period fall in 1:01 over Porter Finstad (Lincoln Memorial).

At 197 lbs, unranked Gio Jackson made a statement with one of the biggest breakout performances of the weekend. He opened his day with a lightning-quick 47-second fall before grinding out three straight decision victories. Jackson's first marquee win came in the semifinals, where he took down 2025 NAIA All-American and #19-ranked Jett McCauley (Keiser) in an 8-4 decision. He then capped his run with a thrilling 6-5 upset over #2 Kasten Grape (Southeastern) in the finals to claim the 197-lb championship.

The team's depth was on full display at the Georgia Open as there were four all-Life championship lineups.
• 157 lbs: Jaden New and Douglas Terry each powered through their brackets with majors and tech falls before their all-Life final ended in a double forfeit. New's opening round matchup was no easy feat, with the senior earning a hard-fought 5-2 decision over NAIA ranked #18 Ryan Bennett.
• 165 lbs: Both #16 Rocky Raby and #6 (174) Alexander Couto rolled to the finals behind bonus-point wins, including five combined tech falls.
• 174 lbs: Konlin Weaver and Lawrence Rosario (unattached) each delivered strong undefeated runs, stacking tech falls and key decisions to reach another all-Life final.
• 184 lbs: #5 Tre Morrisette and #2 Kendall Norfleet dominated their paths, recording tech falls in every match leading up to their championship meeting.

At heavyweight, #6 Gabriel Jacobs (285 lbs) produced one of the team's strongest performances, racking up three pins and a major decision before finishing runner-up after a 9-4 decision in the finals.

Life's depth showed throughout the field. Ethan Sellers (133 lbs) placed third after a 5-1 day that included two pins, a tech fall, and a 16-7 major decision in the placement match. At 197 lbs, #21 Anthony Lowe added another third-place finish, punctuated by a 2:20 fall in his medal match. Dante Olivero (149 lbs) also took third, closing with a steady 5-1 decision.

At 157 lbs, wrestling unattached, Victor Jacinto claimed fifth with five wins, including a pin and two major decisions, with one major over #21 Justin Krebs of Southeastern. Additional strong individual efforts came from Zion Smith (174 lbs), who posted a tech fall and decision wins; Jayden Lhaubouet (197 lbs), who added tech falls and a major decision; Jacob Farthing (184 lbs), who recorded two falls; and Leonard Christian (285 lbs), who opened with a 7-1 victory.

Further early-season wins came from Mikey Doerr (125 lbs), Koy Orr (125 lbs), Isaiah Rubio (133 lbs), Justin Ruiz (133 lbs), Clayton Hicks (141 lbs), Dominic Ruiz (149 lbs), and Gavin Balmeceda (149 lbs), rounding out a complete team effort across all weight classes.

For a full list of results click, here. A contingent from Life's NCWA team also competed and their results can be found, here.