2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships Preview

Show Notes: Short Time NCAA Athlete Press Conference with Levi Haines, Jesse Mendez, Yonger Bastida, and Sal Perrine. Save $10 on the D1 Preview Guide at mattalkonline.com/guide by using the discount code “podcast” at checkout. Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 801 –Recorded March 18, 2026.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

NCAA Division I Press Conference with Ohio State's Tom Ryan, Oklahoma State's David Taylor, Oregon State's Chris Pendleton and Kent State's Josh Moore. Save $10 on the D1 Preview Guide at mattalkonline.com/guide by using the discount code “podcast” at checkout. Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 800 –Recorded March 18, 2026Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

It’s another trip to Wichita for the 2026 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships. Short Time Wrestling Podcast host Jason Bryant serves as one of the tournament announcers and will be looking through the brackets talking about names to watch, returning All-Americans and fielding your questions in the chat.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

The NCAA will crown its first women’s wrestling champions March 6–7, 2026 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, marking a historic step for the sport’s rapid growth at the collegiate level. NCAA Director of Championships and Alliances Ryan Tressel explains how the organization built the championship structure from the ground up—leaning on Division II and III templates, collaborating with coaches and USA Wrestling, and navigating qualification numbers, format decisions, and calendar placement. With more than 100 NCAA institutions sponsoring women’s wrestling and 180 qualifiers approved for the inaugural event, the championship reflects unprecedented expansion since the sport achieved emerging status. The event will stream on ESPN+ with multi-mat “whip-around” coverage before culminating on a single championship mat Saturday night. Hosted in partnership with Think Iowa City and the Iowa City Area Sports Commission, the Coralville venue offers a compact, fan-friendly setup designed to create a reunion-style atmosphere for athletes, alumni, and supporters. As Division III prepares to sponsor its own standalone championship in 2028, the 2026 tournament represents both a milestone and a launching point for the NCAA era of women’s collegiate wrestling. Save $10 on the D1 Preview Guide at mattalkonline.com/guide by using the discount code “podcast” at checkout. Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 798 –Recorded February 19, 2026.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

California Baptist wrestling sits at the center of a growing fight over opportunity, access, and the future of Olympic sports. Nolan Kistler, a multiple-time All-American and CBU alumnus, breaks down why the program matters—not just to Southern California wrestlers, but to first-generation college students, faith-based education, and a region with tens of thousands of high school athletes and only one Division I option. From family legacy to community impact, the case for keeping CBU wrestling goes far beyond wins and losses. The conversation also digs into the realities behind program cuts, Title IX misconceptions, and what organized resistance looks like when a sport is pushed to the margins. With more than $1 million raised toward a $20 million endowment goal, the Keep CBU Wrestling movement is gaining momentum, aiming for a seat at the table rather than a final verdict. At stake is not just one program, but the broader survival of Olympic sports and pathways that wrestling has long provided.www.keepcbuwrestling.com Save $20 on an annual BTN+ subscription! Sign up by going to mattalkonline.com/btnplus and entering promo code MATTALK20 at checkout! Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 797 –Recorded February 9, 2026.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

Mark Manning and the University of Nebraska host North Carolina and Oklahoma State this coming weekend. Let’s hear what Coach Manning has to say in the run-up to the dual, the potential future series with the Cowboys, his relationship with UNC head coach Rob Koll as well as the best Christmas present he ever received. Save $20 on an annual BTN+ subscription! Sign up by going to mattalkonline.com/btnplus and entering promo code MATTALK20 at checkout! Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to Follow Join the Discord:https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contribute Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 796 –Recorded December 17, 2025.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

A night after Johnson & Wales met fellow Division III powerhouse Augsburg in a dual meet in Minneapolis, coach Lonnie Morris and his squad was back in action at the Auggie Invitational. In this quick eight-minute interview, we'll catch up with Coach Morris to see what things have been like in Providence since JWU won the school's first national title last March. Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

The annual App State wrestling media day came and went on Tuesday, October 27. Featured with this year’s Mountaineer squad is head coach JohnMark Bentley and wrestlers Tomas Brooker, Jerry Price, Kaden Keiser and Stephan Monchery. We’ll chat with each as they look forward to another season of SoCon wrestling with some starters to replace and some new goals to reach. Save $20 on an annual BTN+ subscription! Sign up by going to mattalkonline.com/btnplus and entering promo code MATTALK20 at checkout! Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 793 –Recorded October 27, 2025.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

Filmmaker Tony Melanson joins Jason Bryant to discuss his new documentary Iron Maidens: Wrestling for Glory, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.  The film chronicles the rise of girls’ high-school wrestling in Pennsylvania through the stories of North Allegheny’s Leyna Rumpler and Hickory’s Avry Ryhal, two pioneers whose friendship and rivalry unfolded as the state sanctioned girls’ wrestling for the first time.RELATED: Kyle Klingman's interview with Leyna and Avry.  Melanson explains how the project began after following Leyna’s journey as a family friend, how he built trust with high-school athletes unaccustomed to cameras, and how he captured both the human and historical sides of this breakthrough season.  He discusses the challenges of editing a year’s worth of footage into a tight 55-minute feature, the importance of balancing authenticity with clarity for non-wrestling audiences, and the behind-the-scenes choice to use Jocko Willink as narrator. Bryant and Melanson dive into the film’s emotional moments with coaches Dan Heckert and Eric Mount, the archival work from Tom Elling and Jeff Byers’ recreated championship call, and how former World Team member Erin Tomeo connects the trailblazers of the past with today’s generation.  The conversation explores what Iron Maidens means for the continued growth of women’s wrestling in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Save $20 on an annual BTN+ subscription! Sign up by going to mattalkonline.com/btnplus and entering promo code MATTALK20 at checkout! Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 793 –Recorded October 23, 2025.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime

Join host Jason Bryant as he talks with 2024 National Wrestling Media Association Journalist of the Year Kyle Klingman on the latest episode of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast. On the run-up to the 2025 World Championships, we revisit the early years recording podcasts in Minnesota basements with Wrestling 411, dive into a shared love of historical deep dives and unearth some interesting facts about the most recent lineup release from Iowa State that Kyle shared on Flowrestling last week. We dive into women’s wrestling’s college history and some of the key things about it, including Kyle’s podcast with co-host Scott Beck, Women’s Wrestling Weekly. Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime Short Time Wrestling Podcast: Episode 792 –Recorded September 10, 2025.Want an ad-free version of the show AND the best in wrestling news from around the world? Sign up for the Daily Wrestling Newsletter presented by Resilite on Substack at https://www.mattalkonline.com/news Links to FollowJoin the Discord: https://www.mattalkonline.com/discordDaily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/newsContribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contributePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear: https://www.mattalkonline.com/compound Quick Subscribe: https://www.Podfollow.com/shorttime