NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2026: 165-pound bracket

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Penn State’s returning NCAA champion Mitchell Messenbrink may be the biggest favorite out of all 10 weight classes at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, and he’ll be the man to beat at 165 pounds.


Lehigh’s Max Brignola is on the other side of the bracket. The Rumson-Fair Haven graduate is an All-American threat as a No. 7 seed.


Rutgers’ Andrew Barbosa, who shocked the No. 2 seed in this bracket, Purdue national finalist Joey Blaze, is another threat as the No. 14 seed. Clearview graduate and Princeton junior Ty Whalen could be dangerous at No. 20.


Drexel senior and Camden Catholic graduate Cody Walsh makes his NCAA debut, joining brothers Taylor and Chad as qualifiers. Taylor was a national finalist and Chad a two-time All-American.


2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships


When: March 19-21


Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland


TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU


Streaming: ESPN+


Schedule


Thursday, March 19: Session 1 (pigtails and first-round competition), noon (ESPN2 and ESPN+); Session 2 (Second round and wrestleback first round), 7 p.m. (ESPN and ESPN+)


Friday, March 20: Session 3 (quarterfinals, wrestleback second and third rounds), noon (ESPNU and ESPN+); Session 4 (Semifinals, blood round and wrestleback fifth round), 8 p.m. (ESPN2 and ESPN+)


Saturday, March 21: Session 5 (Wrestleback semifinals and medal rounds), 11 a.m. (ESPNU and ESPN+); Session 6 (National finals), 6:30 p.m. (ESPN and ESPN+)


Reigning team champion: Penn State


Returning champions (this year’s weight in parentheses): Vincent Robinson, North Carolina State (125); Lucas Byrd, Illinois (133); **Jesse Mendez, Ohio State (141); Antrell Taylor, Nebraska (157); Mitchell Messenbrink (165); Levi Haines, Penn State (174); AJ Ferrari, Nebraska (285).

MORE RUTGERS COVERAGE​

• NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2026: 174-pound bracket
• NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2026: 157-pound bracket
• NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2026: 149-pound bracket
• NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2026: 141-pound bracket
• NCAA Wrestling Championships, 2026: 133-pound bracket

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