Michigan State University Athletics
Thursday, March 19
Cleveland, Ohio
Michigan State University
at
NCAA Championships
Photo by: Kam Beal
Wisler, Jones Prep for 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships
3/18/2026 4:02:00 PM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State wrestling's redshirt junior 197-pounder Kael Wisler and redshirt sophomore 149-pounder Clayton Jones are set to compete at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland this week with action getting underway on Thursday, March 19.
Competition sessions will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks throughout the week with every mat and match also streaming on ESPN+.
Championships Schedule
Thursday, March 19
12:00 PM – Session I (First Round) – ESPN2
7:00 PM – Session II (Second Round, Consolation Matches) – ESPN
Friday, March 20
12:00 PM – Session III (Quarterfinals, Consolation Matches) – ESPNU
8:00 PM – Session IV (Semifinals, Consolation Matches) – ESPN2
Saturday, March 21
11:00 AM – Session V (Medal Matches – 3rd, 5th, 7th) – ESPNU
6:30 PM – Session VI (Finals)
Wisler is the No. 28-seeded wrestler at 197 pounds and opens his tournament against former All-American and No. 5-seeded Joey Novak (17-3) of Wyoming. Wisler's second round opponent would either be No. 12-seeded Luke Geog (15-7) of Ohio State or No. 21-seeded Rune Lawrence (17-10) of West Virginia. Wisler is making his first trip to the NCAA Championships this season after posting a 24-10 record in his second year as a starter for the Spartans. He's coming off a 2-3 performance at the Big Ten Championships where he defeated Hayden Walters (Michigan) and Gavin Nelson (Minnesota) to punch his ticket.
Jones is the No. 32-seeded wrestler at 149 pounds and will face Brown's Austin McBurney (20-13) in a pigtail match for the opportunity to face top-seeded Shayne Van Ness (21-0) of Penn State in the first round. Jones' second round opponent would either be former All-American and No. 16-seeded Jacob Frost (16-7) of Iowa State or Lock Haven's No. 17-seeded Lucas Kapusta (25-4). Jones is 11-15 this season for the Spartans but possesses pinning ability that makes him a dangerous match-up for his opponents. At the Big Ten Tournament, Jones knocked off then No. 18-ranked Chance Lamer of Nebraska, pinning the four-time NCAA qualifier in 35 seconds to qualify.
Competition sessions will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks throughout the week with every mat and match also streaming on ESPN+.
Championships Schedule
Thursday, March 19
12:00 PM – Session I (First Round) – ESPN2
7:00 PM – Session II (Second Round, Consolation Matches) – ESPN
Friday, March 20
12:00 PM – Session III (Quarterfinals, Consolation Matches) – ESPNU
8:00 PM – Session IV (Semifinals, Consolation Matches) – ESPN2
Saturday, March 21
11:00 AM – Session V (Medal Matches – 3rd, 5th, 7th) – ESPNU
6:30 PM – Session VI (Finals)
Wisler is the No. 28-seeded wrestler at 197 pounds and opens his tournament against former All-American and No. 5-seeded Joey Novak (17-3) of Wyoming. Wisler's second round opponent would either be No. 12-seeded Luke Geog (15-7) of Ohio State or No. 21-seeded Rune Lawrence (17-10) of West Virginia. Wisler is making his first trip to the NCAA Championships this season after posting a 24-10 record in his second year as a starter for the Spartans. He's coming off a 2-3 performance at the Big Ten Championships where he defeated Hayden Walters (Michigan) and Gavin Nelson (Minnesota) to punch his ticket.
Jones is the No. 32-seeded wrestler at 149 pounds and will face Brown's Austin McBurney (20-13) in a pigtail match for the opportunity to face top-seeded Shayne Van Ness (21-0) of Penn State in the first round. Jones' second round opponent would either be former All-American and No. 16-seeded Jacob Frost (16-7) of Iowa State or Lock Haven's No. 17-seeded Lucas Kapusta (25-4). Jones is 11-15 this season for the Spartans but possesses pinning ability that makes him a dangerous match-up for his opponents. At the Big Ten Tournament, Jones knocked off then No. 18-ranked Chance Lamer of Nebraska, pinning the four-time NCAA qualifier in 35 seconds to qualify.
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
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