CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Wabash College wrestling team closed the 2026 National Wrestling Coaches Association / United States Marine Corps National Duals on Saturday at the UNI-Dome with a 23-14 victory over Millikin University followed by a 34-14 loss to 10th-ranked Luther College, finishing 14th overall in the team standings.
 
Wabash opened the day by advancing to the placement final in the 13th-through-16th-place bracket with its win over Millikin, setting the tone early by capturing three of the first four bouts, including consecutive bonus-point performances. Andrew Punzalan gave the Little Giants an early edge at 125 pounds with a 5-2 decision over Mason Franklin. James Day followed with one of the most dominant outings of the dual at 133, rolling to a 16-0 technical fall against Charlie Armstrong. Branson Weaver continued the surge at 141, pinning Colin Claffey just 1:13 into the match to put Wabash firmly in control.
 
Millikin responded through the middle of the lineup with victories at 149 and 157 pounds to trim the margin. Wabash steadied the dual at 165 behind Cooper McCloy, who posted a 12-5 decision over Michael Hutchison, before Millikin kept within striking distance with a win at 174 pounds.
 
The Little Giants delivered a key swing at 184 pounds when Zachary Huckaby edged Kody Marschner 11-9 in a tightly contested bout. Millikin stayed alive at 197 as Mateo Casillas recorded a 9-1 major decision over Hadyn Ball, leaving the outcome to be decided at heavyweight. Titus Waters sealed the team victory for Wabash by controlling the final bout and earning a 7-2 decision over Leno Campbell to clinch the 23-14 win.
 
Wabash returned to the mat later Saturday in the placement final and fell to Luther. Isaac Ash provided an early spark for the Little Giants at 125 pounds by pinning Luis Lopez at the 4:26 mark, but Luther answered immediately at 133 with a technical fall and then seized momentum with a string of bonus-point victories across the 141-, 149-, 157-, 165-, and 174-pound bouts.
 
Wabash responded at 184 with another bonus-point effort as Michael Taheny rolled to a 20-2 technical fall against Griffin Schultz to cut into the deficit. Luther secured the team outcome with a win at 197 before the Little Giants closed the National Duals on a positive note at heavyweight. Waters capped his weekend with a 4-2 decision over Tashaud Nelson to account for Wabash's final points of the tournament.
 
Wabash returns to action next Saturday, competing at the Tom Jarman Manchester Spartan Classic.