Central College Wrestlers Qualify for NCAA Division III Championships

Three Dutch wrestlers earn spots at national meet after strong regional performance

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Three wrestlers from Central College in Dubuque, Iowa have qualified for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships after a successful showing at the NCAA Division III Region VI Championships. Pierre Baldwin won the 149-pound regional title, while Carter West and Christian Stanek also earned spots at the national meet with top-four finishes in their respective weight classes.

Why it matters

Central College's strong performance at the regional championships, with all 10 of its wrestlers finishing in the top eight and earning a spot on the podium, marks a significant achievement for the program. Sending three wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Championships is the most the school has done since 2022, showcasing the team's depth and competitiveness.

The details

At 149 pounds, Pierre Baldwin won the regional title with a 4-1 sudden victory over Chase Fiser of Loras College in the championship bout. Carter West (125 pounds) and Christian Stanek (157 pounds) both secured spots at nationals with third-place finishes in their weight classes. Abe Bushong (174 pounds) and CJ Davis (285 pounds) also had strong showings, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

  • The NCAA Division III Championships will take place on March 13 and 14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The players

Pierre Baldwin

A wrestler for Central College who won the 149-pound regional title, earning a spot at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Carter West

A Central College wrestler who finished third in the 125-pound weight class at the regional championships, securing a spot at the national meet.

Christian Stanek

A Central College wrestler who finished third in the 157-pound weight class at the regional championships, earning a spot at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Abe Bushong

A Central College wrestler who finished fifth in the 174-pound weight class at the regional championships.

CJ Davis

A Central College wrestler who finished sixth in the 285-pound weight class at the regional championships.

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What’s next

The NCAA Division III Championships will take place on March 13 and 14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the three Central College wrestlers will compete for national titles.

The takeaway

Central College's strong performance at the NCAA Division III Region VI Championships, with all 10 wrestlers finishing in the top eight and three qualifying for the national meet, demonstrates the depth and competitiveness of the program. This achievement sets the stage for the Dutch wrestlers to make a strong showing at the upcoming NCAA Division III Championships.