Eight Polar Bears advance to the semifinals on Day 1 of 2026 NCAA III Region IV Wrestling Championships

Eight Polar Bears advance to the semifinals on Day 1 of 2026 NCAA III Region IV Wrestling Championships
Tournament Site Photos Live Results Live Results Results
February 27, 2026

ADA — The Ohio Northern wrestling team advanced eight individuals into the semifinals on Day 1 of the 2026 NCAA III Region IV Championships on Friday.

| NCAA Regionals Site |

The Basics

  • Records: Ohio Northern (14-4 Overall)
  • The Polar Bears are 3rd of 20 teams with 108.5 points after the first day.
  • #18 Baldwin Wallace is in first place with 120.5 points, #2 Roanoke (Va.) is in 2nd with 115 points and Washington & Lee (Va.) is in 4th with 91.5 points.
  • Venue: ONU Sports Center – Ada, Ohio.

ONU Individuals

  • Freshman Kurt Mokros (Lewis Center/Olentangy) went 2-0 with two pins to reach the semifinals at the 125 pound weight class.
  • Sophomore Chase Vanderhorst (Covington) went 2-0 to reach the semifinals with a pin and decision at 133.
  • Sophomore Casper Caizzo (Norwalk/St. Paul) went 3-0 to reach the semifinals with a pin and major decision at 141.
  • Sophomore Jovanni Greco (Ross) went 2-0 to reach the semifinals with a technical fall at 149.
  • Freshman Londen Murphy (Moscow/Moeller) went 2-0 with two pins to reach the semifinals at 157.
  • Freshman Ben Hegler (Brecksville/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) went 2-0 to reach the semifinals at 165.
  • Freshman Jack Hoffman (Springboro) went 3-0 with a pin to reach the semifinals at 174.
  • No. 13-ranked sophomore Myles Johnson (Springboro) went 2-0 with two pins to reach the semifinals at 197.
  • Senior Ajay Locke (Lancaster) went 2-1 with a pin and a technical fall to reach the consolation quarterfinals at 184.
  • Freshman Troy Dyszkiewicz (Cleveland, Tenn./Walker Valley) went 2-1 with two major decision victories to reach the consolation quarterfinals at heavyweight.

Notables

  • The top three placers in each weight class qualify for the NCAA III Championships March 13-14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • All 10 ONU wrestlers will place in their respective weight classes.
  • Murphy has a team-high 15 pins this season with a 28-4 record. 
  • Johnson is 33-4 on the season with 9 pins and 9 tech falls.
  • Hegler is 28-8 on the season with 9 pins and six tech falls.
  • Mokros is 34-8 with eight pins and six tech falls.
  • Caizzo is 32-7 with 13 falls.
  • Greco is 31-7 with 13 major decisions.
  • Locke is tied for 35th in program history in career wins with 87 and is 20-12 this year.
  • Dyszkiewicz is 27-13 with 13 pins.
  • Johnson is ranked No. 13 nationally at 197 pounds by the NWCA and was also named 2026 Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Year.
  • Ohio Northern head coach Ron Beaschler is in his 38th season and has a 421-268-4 dual meet record, a winning percentage of .607.

Up Next

  • The Polar Bears will return to action when they host Day 2 of the 2026 NCAA III Region IV Championships on Saturday at 10 am.