BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Life Universtiy Men's Wrestling NCWA team competed in the largest college national tournament in history over the weekend, with over 750 athletes battling for the NCWA National Championships with one goal—to make a statement.

Under the leadership of Coach Mike Clark and Coach Lucius Van Rensburg, Life U's wrestlers embodied the core values that had been drilled into them all season: discipline, technical precision, and an unbreakable mindset. Every match was a war, but Life U refused to back down. From the first whistle to the final takedown, the Running Eagles outworked, out-wrestled, and out-willed their opponents, proving they belonged among the nation's best.

By the end of the tournament, Life U had captured the NCWA Division II National Championship, cementing themselves as a powerhouse. But they weren't just dominant in DII—the team fought their way to a top-five finish in the Division I bracket, securing 5th place overall against the best the NCWA has to offer.

While no individual claimed a national title, eight Life U wrestlers earned All-American honors, showcasing the team's depth and resilience. These warriors wrestled through blood, sweat, and exhaustion, pushing themselves past their limits to represent Life U on the podium.

From the lightweights to the heavyweights, every Life U wrestler proved they belonged on the podium. Whether grinding through close matches, dominating with takedowns, or battling back from adversity, each Running Eagle earned All-American status the hard way.

2025 Life U NCWA All-Americans
149 Camron Crump – 7th place
157 Enrique Santana – 7th place
165 Jordan Roberts – 7th place
184 Connor Cooper – 7th place
197 Ryan Krimpelbein – 7th place
235 Devin Dudley – 7th place
285 William Abbott – 6th place
285 Spencer Dacus – 3rd place

Beyond the All-Americans, Life U's full 16 man roster of national qualifiers left everything on the mat. Several wrestlers came within one match of earning All-American honors, showcasing the program's incredible depth. Others fought through brutal brackets, picking up big wins and proving they are the future of Life U wrestling.

Life U NCWA National Qualifiers:
125 Thomas Young (1-2 record)
141 Jayden Colon (2-2 record)
149 Jeremiah Dawson (2-2 record)
174 Zion Smith (1-2 record)
174 Connor Edwards (1-2 record)
184 Noah Flisser (4-2 record, blood round)
197 Bryan Canedo (3-2 record)
235 Josh Oyeneye (2-2 record)

For many, this tournament was a launching point—a sign of what's coming next. Life U is only getting stronger.

A Championship Culture
While Coach Clark and Coach Lucius played a huge role in shaping the team's mentality, this weekend was about the guys. It was about the ones who battled through injuries, the ones who fought through exhaustion, and the ones who showed up for each other when it mattered most. The foundation has been set, and the culture has been built.

As the team hoisted the championship trophy, they knew this was just the beginning. The message was loud and clear: Life U has arrived. And they're here to stay.