Men’s Wrestling Sends Five to NJCAA National Championships
The Colby Trojans men's wrestling team will close out its 2025–26 season this weekend as five wrestlers travel to compete at the NJCAA Men's Wrestling National Championships on March 6–7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Colby Trojans men's wrestling team will close out its 2025–26 season this weekend as five wrestlers travel to compete at the NJCAA Men's Wrestling National Championships on March 6–7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Colby secured its national qualifiers following a competitive showing at the KJCCC South Central District Tournament in Pratt, KS, the qualifying opportunities before the national tournament.
Leading the Trojans' group of qualifiers is 165-pound sophomore Cah'mari Johnson, who placed fourth at the district tournament to earn his spot at nationals. Johnson delivered Colby's top performance of the event, scoring 17.5 team points while recording multiple victories by fall. His tournament run included two pins to reach the semifinals. After a narrow loss to Grayson Carpenter of Carl Albert State. Johnson rebounded with another fall in the consolation bracket before finishing fourth. Johnson also earned second-team All-KJCCC honors this season after finishing with a 9–5 overall record and battling through one of the conference's deepest weight classes.
Colby will also send heavyweight Bob Tatum, who finished sixth at the district tournament and totaled 9 team points. Tatum rebounded from an early loss with a fall in the consolation bracket. His performance helped secure his qualification for nationals and capped a demanding season that included 22 wins and third-team All-KJCCC recognition.
At 141 pounds, Sebastian Rodriguez punched his ticket to the national tournament with a fifth-place finish at the district event, contributing 12 team points. Rodriguez responded to an early setback with a strong consolation run that included a fall and decision victories. Rounding out Colby's national qualifiers are Luis Vasquez at 125 pounds and Talon Suttles. Vasquez placed eighth at the district tournament.
The national tournament begins Friday (March 6) morning with preliminary rounds and continues through Saturday (March 7) evening, when champions will be crowned following the opening ceremonies and finals. Colby will compete against the top programs in junior college wrestling, including defending national champion Indian Hills Warriors men's wrestling, who captured the 2025 NJCAA national title and will look to defend their championship this weekend.
With five qualifiers representing the Trojans and multiple athletes earning conference recognition this season, Colby will aim to build on its district performances and make an impact on the national stage at the NJCAA Championships.