The Western Reserve Academy Wrestling team closed out its season at the 2026 National Prep Championships, held at Stabler Athletic & Convocation Center on the campus of Lehigh University. Competing against many of the top-ranked wrestlers and programs in the country, the Pioneers represented Reserve with grit and determination on the national stage.

At 120 pounds, Carmello Kolb '28 entered the tournament as the No. 8 seed and delivered an impressive performance. Kolb opened with a dominant 17–2 victory, followed by a strong 12–7 win to advance to the championship quarterfinals. There, he faced the No. 1 seed and fifth-ranked wrestler in the nation from Blair Academy. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Kolb battled in a placement match with a top-eight finish on the line. In a tightly contested bout against an opponent from Green Farms Academy, Carmello came up just short, falling 14–11 to finish the tournament with a 2–2 record.

Braydden Crum-Humburg '28, seeded 14th at 132 pounds, also finished 2–2 on the weekend. He opened with a commanding 16–1 victory before falling to the No. 3 seed from McCallie School. Crum-Humburg responded with an 11–0 win in the consolation bracket to stay alive, but his tournament run ended in a hard-fought overtime loss.

At 175 pounds, senior Blaise Bennett '26 competed unseeded and went 0–2. Despite the record, Bennett was competitive in both matches and held leads in each before narrowly coming up short. His effort and perseverance capped off a season defined by resilience and growth.

The National Prep Championships marked the final tournament of the season and provided invaluable experience for a young Pioneer squad. The WRA wrestling program continues to trend upward, with underclassmen gaining exposure to the highest level of prep wrestling competition. Many members of the team have already begun preparing for next year's journey, motivated by the goal of standing on the podium at the end of the season.

Go Pioneers!