Jeannette Grad Ethan Berginc Leads WPIAL Contingent at NCAA Wrestling Championships

Army wrestler Ethan Berginc, a Jeannette grad, is one of 21 WPIAL wrestlers competing at the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Cleveland.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:36am

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Ethan Berginc, a Jeannette graduate who wrestles for Army West Point, is one of 21 WPIAL wrestlers competing at the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Cleveland. Berginc is making his fourth trip to the national tournament, where he will compete at 133 pounds. Other WPIAL wrestlers competing include the Willochell brothers from Latrobe, Lucas Kapusta from Hempfield, and several others from schools like Franklin Regional, Norwin, and Mt. Pleasant.

Why it matters

The NCAA Wrestling Championships are a major event for high school and college wrestling programs in Western Pennsylvania, with the WPIAL consistently producing top talent. Berginc's participation as a Jeannette grad highlights the strength of the WPIAL wrestling scene and the ability of local athletes to compete at the highest collegiate level.

The details

Berginc, a 2020 PIAA champion and 2021 third-place finisher, is 0-6 in his previous three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He is hoping a change in his training style under a new coach will help him achieve his goal of becoming an All-American this year. In addition to Berginc, other notable WPIAL wrestlers competing include the Willochell brothers from Latrobe, Lucas Kapusta from Hempfield, and several others from schools like Franklin Regional, Norwin, and Mt. Pleasant.

  • The 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will take place starting at noon on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
  • Berginc is making his fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The players

Ethan Berginc

A Jeannette graduate who wrestles for Army West Point. He is a four-time NCAA Tournament qualifier and a 2020 PIAA champion.

Willochell brothers

Luke (133 pounds) and Gabe (149 pounds) Willochell, wrestlers from Latrobe who now compete for Wyoming.

Lucas Kapusta

A wrestler from Hempfield High School who now competes at 149 pounds for Lock Haven University.

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What they’re saying

“The goal is to become an All-American. I changed my training style under a new coach. I just to need to wrestle better.”

— Ethan Berginc

“Whatever happens, happens.”

— Ethan Berginc

What’s next

The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will conclude on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with the championship finals.

The takeaway

The strong representation of WPIAL wrestlers at the NCAA Championships highlights the talent pipeline from Western Pennsylvania high school programs to the collegiate level. Wrestlers like Ethan Berginc are aiming to make their mark on the national stage and continue the WPIAL's tradition of wrestling excellence.