Petkov earns All-American honors again for UConn at national championships

UConn sophomore Victor Petkov of Ridgefield earned All-American honors for the second straight year by finishing third at 165 pounds at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s (NCWA) national championship meet in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Petkov’s performance helped the Huskies finish fourth among NCWA Division II teams with 42½ points and 13th overall – the best finish for the UConn club wrestling team since finishing tenth overall in 2019.

The NCWA national championship meet is primarily for club teams but there are some established varsity programs in the field.

Menlo College from Atherton, California, won their second straight NCWA championship with six individual champions and nine All-American wrestlers. Menlo is transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and was ineligible to compete in the NCAA tournament until the transition is complete.

A club team from Menlo also competed and finished 11th overall and third in Division II. They were identified as Menlo-NCWA. Club teams from Ohio State and Iowa State finished in the top 20.

Life University of Marietta, Georgia was second with 196 points and 13 All-American wrestlers. Tarleton State from Stephenville, Texas was third with 164 points. Menlo College won the tournament with 235½ points, the third highest number points scored in the national tournament.

Petkov (23-3) rolled through his first three matches of the tournament with two pins and a 13-2 decision. In the quarterfinals, he beat Enrique Santana of Life University, 5-4. The key move in Petkov’s win was a two-point reversal with 1:34 left in the third period that gave him a three-point lead, 5-2.

In the semifinal, Petkov lost by pin to Finn Shepard of Tarleton State in 1:07 but Petkov rebounded with two consecutive wins to finish third – the highest finish for a UConn wrestler since George Andrews was third at 184 pounds in 2019.

Petkov rolled to a 18-2 win in the consolation semifinals and beat Drake Bowers of Liberty, 4-3 in the third place bout. Petkov’s takedown in the first period was the key to the victory.

UConn’s performance was boosted by five wrestlers with multiple wins and nine wrestlers with at least one victory.

Along with Petkov, Fairfield Warde’s Jack Dean (157, 3-2) and  James Dean (149, 2-2), Terryville’s Hayden Lewandoski (133, 2-2) and New Haven’s Anthony Berruecos (285, 2-2) each had multiple wins. Lyman Memorial’s Cameron Sammaro (174), New Jersey’s Emre Gormus (184), RHAM’s Kyle Currier (133) and Newtown’s Thomas Milligan (125) each picked up a win in the tournament.

In the women’s tournament, Tarleton State won their second consecutive championship with a tournament record 215 points thanks to five individual champions and 13 All-American wrestlers. Rachel Corley (110) won her second straight NCWA title for Tarleton while U.S. national team wrestler Aine Drury of Tarleton (145) won with four pins and was named outstanding wrestler.

UConn freshman Keagan Alatiw (14-6) earned All-American honors with her sixth place finish at 131 pounds. She is the first UConn women to earn All-American honors in more than a decade since Abby Fisher, who finished second at 148 in 2013.

Alatiw, who is from Chula Vista, California, beat Liberty’s June Welch, 7-3, in the consolation bracket to earn All-American honors. Tied at 3-3, she got a takedown with 1:08 to take the lead and picked up another point for riding time to win by four. Alatiw went 5-3 in the tournament.

The UConn club team has been in existence since 2007. UConn dropped their varsity wrestling program following the 1981 season.

The NCWA was founded in 1997 to provide collegiate athletes with an opportunity to compete in wrestling at a regional and national level. The NCWA helps develop programs under the school’s athletic departments, student services department and sport club departments. Teams are classified by divisions based on the amount of support that the respective teams receive from their school.

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2026 NCWA National Championships
At Bossier City, La.
Team results (top 20): Menlo College-NCAA 235½, 2.Life University (Marietta, GA) 196, 3. Tarleton State (Stephenville, Texas) 164, 4. Apprentice School (Newport News, Va) 128, 5. Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) 121½, 6. University of Jamestown (North Dakota) 102½, 7. Ferrum College-NCAA 101½, 8. Central Florida 84, 9. Iowa State WC 78½, 10. Utah Tech 78, 11. Menlo College-NCWA 76½, 12. Mercyhurst 47½, 13. UConn 43½, 14. Washington State and Willamson College of the Trades 43, 16. Ohio State WC 39½, 17. West Chester 39, 18. South Carolina 38, 19. Colorado State 37, 20. Springfield Technical CC 36½
Other schools: 42. UMass 20½, 67. Northeastern 6½, 86. Yale 0
Division II results: 1. Life University 196, 2. Iowa State WC 78½, 3. Menlo College (NCWA) 76½. 4. UConn 42½, 5. Ohio State WC 39½
Individual results
125 pounds
Final: Ezekiel Keel (Ferrum-NCAA) dec. Lucas VanNostrand (Apprentice), 14-13
3. Isaac Ronquillo (Jamestown) pin Kolby Dempsey (Life), 1:42
5. Daniel Arellano (Menlo-NCWA) pin Noah Clayton (Tarleton State), 4:55
7. Juan Cantu (Texas A&M) for. Dominic Ciolli (Ohio State)
133 pounds
Final: Aidan Medina (Tarleton State) dec. Adrian Morles (Life), 7-4
3. Elijah Nose (Jamestown) dec. Brodie Altman (Liberty), 2-0
5. Jeremiah Steele (Menlo-NCAA) maj. dec. Giancarlo Plaza (Menlo-NCWA), 13-0
7. Kenneth Lamber (Clemson) dec. Gaetano Tedesco (Florida A&M), 9-6
141 pounds
Final: Michael Torres (Menlo-NCAA) maj. dec. Ethan Vugman (Florida), 9-1
3. Tristan Rios (Tarleton State) tech. fall Ryan Wilson (Washington State), 18-2
5. Michael Phoutasen (Apprentice) tech. fall Ethan Sellers (Life), 25-8
7. Steven Dindle (South Carolina) maj. dec. Sam Sutton (Tarleton State), 12-2
149 pounds
Final: Tyger Taam (Menlo-NCAA) dec. Camron Crump (Life), 4-0
3. David Norris (Apprentice) dec. David Arroyo (Menlo-NCWA), 2-1
5. Cameron Curva (Ferrum-NCAA) dec. Anthony Dicks (Tarleton State), 16-14
7. Hayden Thompson (Ferrum-NCWA) dec. Liam Hein (Point Park), 2-0
157 pounds
Final: Jaden New (Life) dec. Ezekiel Lara (Menlo-NCAA), 3-1
3. Lincoln Vick (Iowa State) maj. dec. Matox Allen (Liberty), 15-2
5. Mukhammad Nasriddinkhujaev (Temple) med. for. Andres Cortes (Ferrum-NCAA)
7. Nathaniel Santos (Life) dec. Sam Gallardo (UNLV), 4-1, OT
165 pounds
Final: Kanaipono Tapia (Menlo-NCAA) dec. Finn Shepard (Tarleton State), 6-5
3. Victor Petkov (Connecticut) dec. Drake Bowers (Liberty), 4-3
5. Calvin Kopstein (Virginia Commonwealth) dec. Rocker Aguilar (Jamestown), 15-8
7. Diego Barron (Life) dec. Owen Cherry (Apprentice), 11-6
174 pounds
Final: Isaiah Morales (Menlo-NCAA) pin Josh Daltro (North Florida), 2:30
3. Zeke Liescheski (Tarleton State) maj. dec. Zion Smith (Life), 15-6
5. Matthew Riehle (Hillsdale) pin Connor Edwards (Life), 5:16
7. Spencer Kon (Tennessee) dec. Colton Schaad (Jamestown), 7-3
184 pounds
Final: Nurrideen Statts (Williamson) tech. fall Edward Davis (West Chester), 18-0
3. Mathias Collins (Menlo-NCAA) dec. Connor Cooper (Life), 4-1, OT
5. Matthew Diamond (Menlo-NCWA) dec. Ronald Black (Liberty), 5-4
7. James Greene (Idaho) dec. Kyle Sandborn (Ohio State), 10-8
197 pounds
Final: Diego Morales (Menlo-NCAA) dec. Aaron Coverdell (South Carolina), 5-0
3. Alan Rivera (Central Florida) maj. dec. Jonthan Harwood (West Chester), 18-8
5. Michael Kreinbucher (Slippery Rock) maj. dec. Caleb Ridgley (Florida Gulf Coast)
7. Owen Zuckerman (Tennessee) med. for. Colin Vasquez (Tarleton State)
235 pounds
Final: David McElravy (Apprentice) maj. dec. James Baldwin (Louisiana State), 12-1
3. Jack Eckerson (Virginia Tech) dec. Ryan Krimpelbein (Life), 4-2
5. Jalen Terry-Winston (Apprentice) tech. fall Brodie Lane (Wayne State), 17-2
7. Russell Fickett (Central Florida) pin Siope Havea (Utah Tech), 0:47
285 pounds
Final: Javier Martinez (Menlo-NCAA) maj. dec. Micah Vuki (Utah Tech), 13-3
3. Paul Ballard (Iowa State) pin Jason Smith (Grand Valley State), 4:48
5. Devin Dudley (Life) dec. Wade Wheeler (Liberty), 9-6, OT
7. Braeden Fluke (Ferrum-NCAA) pin Zachary Bailey (Life), 2:48
Outstanding wrestler
NCWA Coach of the Year: Joey Martinez, Menlo-NCAA
NCWA Wrestler of the Year: Kanaipono Tapia, Menlo-NCAA
2026 NCWA national championship brackets and results (FloArena)
Of note: Menlo College from California is transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Div. II. While the transition is underway, they are ineligible to participate in NCAA postseason events so they are competing here along and are listed as Menlo-NCAA. There is also a Menlo club team in the tournament called Menlo NCWA. Ferrum College from Virginia is transitioning from NCAA Div. III to NCAA Div. II and their varsity team is Ferrum-NCAA while a club team is called Ferrum-NCWA.

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Women’s Wrestling
2026 NCWA National Championships
At Bossier City, La.
Team results (top 10) — 1. Tarleton State 215, 2. Menlo College 145, 3. Utah Tech 129, 4. Ottawa-Arizona 127. 5. Central Florida 119½, 6. UNLV 109, 7. Washington State 101½, 8. Apprentice 75, 9. Treasure Valley CC 72½, 10. Fresno State 47½
Other teams: 15. Springfield Technical CC 36, 27. UConn 13, 36. Yale 5, 43. Northeastern 2½
Individual results
103 pounds
Final: Jocelynn Benitez (Fresno State) pin Emma Graves (Tarleton State), 3:33
3. Liliana Voakes (Ottawa-Arizona) pin Elizabeth Brunson (UNLV), 4:04
5. Kaelynn Seidl (UNLV) med. for. Danica Zenhye (High Point)
7. Marlie Skidmore (Treasure Valley CC) med. for. Taylor Pascua (Washington State)
110 pounds
Final: Rachel Corley (Tarleton State) tech. fall Abby West (Utah Tech), 17-0
3. Ashlyn Lewis (Tarleton State) dec. Gracie Pham (Washington State), 5-3
5. Dannielle Sizelove (Ottawa-Arizona) pin Lina Perez (Menlo)
7. Yadira Covarrubias (Washington State) pin Kaylee Campbell (Apprentice), 1:02
117 pounds
Final: Fiona Smith (Tarleton State) maj. dec. Janyla Anderson (Apprentice), 14-5
3. Macali Lade (Washington State) maj. dec. Leila Memon (Central Florida), 13-5
5. Mia Shepard (UNLV) pin Elena Bernard (Sacramento State), 4:09
7. Maya Barrios (Menlo) pin Jessica Hidalgo (Arizona), 1:16
124 pounds
Final: Felicia Bell (UNLV) dec. Skylar Schaefer (Apprentice), 12-9
3. Marison Peña (Grand Canyon) pin Isabel Rodriquez (Tarleton State), 4:49
5. Daniela Martinez (Tarleton State) dec. Nevaeh Santiago (Springfield Technical CC), 9-6, OT
7. Valkyrie Shambry (Oregon) pin Sabrina Cunha (Sacramento State)
131 pounds
Final: Anna DiCugno (Tarleton State) maj. dec. Piper Pike (Tarleton State), 11-0
3. Jordyn Anderson (Apprentice) pin Madison Moody (Florida State), 4:03
5. Lastevia Muir (Menlo) pin Keagan Alatiw (Connecticut), 2:32
7. June Welch (Liberty) maj. dec. McKinley Jovanovic (Maryland), 14-0
138 pounds
Final: Jennifer Soto (Tarleton State) pin Alexa Paz (Florida State), 1:55
3. Brianna Reyes (Ottawa-Arizona) pin Kali Watson (Utah Tech), 4:08
5. Gwendolyn Tomkins (Menlo) dec. Liliana Busnardo (Fresno State), 4-3
7. Jessica Bristol (Louisiana State) maj. dec. Olivia Probasco (Washington State), 12-4
145 pounds
Final: Aine Drury (Tarleton State) pin Katherine Stewart (Central Florida), 1:08
3. Ava Collins (Treasure Valley CC) def. Isabella Sagastume (Utah Tech), 4:09
5. Mirina Enderlin (Washington) for. Kayla Zeidler (Menlo)
7. Paige Taasan Uitu (Ottawa-Arizona) pin Destiny Henderson (Colorado State), 2:15
160 pounds
Final: Cassandra Freundlich (UNLV) maj. dec. Leia Hernandez (Menlo), 13-5
3. Gracin Dennis (Treasure Valley CC) pin Shawnnastasia Jackson (Ottawa-Arizona), 5:30
5. Natalie Venabale (Tarleton State) maj. dec. Levi Burrell (Utah Tech), 11-3
7. Allessandra Lammers (Central Florida) dec. Kristy Zhu (San Jose State), 12-7
180 pounds
Final: Sofia James (Central Florida) pin Tayleigh Robertson (Utah Tech), 4:10
3. Lia Gutierrez (Tarleton State) def. Aniyea Dickerson (Florida A&M), 1:19
5. Zamaria Hemingway (Grand Valley State) pin Faith Kiefer (Liberty), 4:08
7. Scarlett Snodgrass (Tarleton State) dec. Tiana Roy (Springfield Technical CC), 8-1
207 pounds
Final: Katrina Wangen (Central Florida) pin Jordan Hunter (UNLV), 0:47
3. Sydney Hall (Cincinnati) pin Evelynn Coronado (Ottawa-Arizona), 4:44
5. Madison Mayes (Utah Tech) tech. fall Siomara Hernandez (Menlo), 17-0
7. Karina Delgado Urbina (Pacific Lutheran) pin Marion Harmsen (Western Washington), 1:08
240 pounds
Final: Neila Fritts (Menlo) pin Erin Kremer (Washington State), 5:36
3. Janelle Mattos (Ottawa-Arizona) pin Kaitlynn Barner (Temple), 6:00
5. Katherine Meza-Perez (Central Florida) pin Sophia Sunior (Grand Valley State), 5:31
7. Hannah Fawver (Washington State) forfeit
Outstanding wrestler : Aine Drury (145)
2026 NCWA national championship brackets and results (FloArena)