Hawks Win 2026 NJCAA DIII National Duals at SUNY Niagara

Sanborn, NY: The Hawks wrestling team capped an impressive weekend with a national title, winning the 2026 NJCAA DIII National Duals hosted by SUNY Niagara on January 10. The Hawks went a perfect 5-0 across the day, defeating Northland, Union, Niagara, Nassau, and Niagara once again in the championship dual.

The event served as a strong test against national-level competition, particularly against host and top-ranked non-scholarship opponent SUNY Niagara, who Harper beat twice, including in the final. Sophomores Aiden Cohen (165 lb), Truth Vesey (125/133 lb), and Joshua King (285 lb) each put together standout performances, while Esteban Delgado (125 lb) and Tyson Poyer (174/184 lb) came up with key victories in pivotal moments. The Hawks displayed depth across the lineup, winning matches through both technical dominance and timely pins.

Match 1 – Harper 41, Northland 7
Harper opened the duals with a dominant win over Northland, taking advantage of two forfeits and strong performances throughout the lineup. At 125, Delgado set the tone early with a 19-4 technical fall over Ayden Floyd. Michael Hodge III (149 lb), Noah Brockie (174 lb), and Michael Merevick (197 lb) each earned wins by fall, while Gage Bambic (184 lb) won a 6-0 decision. The Hawks dropped only two bouts in a commanding team performance.

Match 2 – Harper 48, Union 6
The Hawks rolled through their second dual, capitalizing on three Union forfeits and several lopsided victories on the mat. Vesey (125 lb) and Maguire Hoeksema (157 lb) each scored technical falls, while Cohen (174 lb) and Poyer (184 lb) both posted dominant tech fall victories of their own. Samuel Sikorsky (133 lb) and Michael Galloway (149 lb) added key decision and fall wins, respectively, helping Harper to another lopsided team result.

Match 3 – Harper 22, SUNY Niagara 21
In what proved to be the defining win of the tournament, Harper edged host SUNY Niagara, the nation's top-ranked non-scholarship program, in a 22-21 thriller. Delgado (125 lb) earned the match of the day, taking down No. 2–ranked Jaron Barrientos 3-2 with a decisive early takedown. Vesey (133 lb) followed with a technical fall, while Cohen (165 lb) and King (285 lb) sealed crucial decisions and falls late to push Harper past Niagara. Poyer (184 lb) added a key pin to keep the Hawks' momentum alive.

Match 4 – Harper 35, Nassau 14
Facing another top-four finisher from last season, Harper showed consistency across weight classes to advance to the final. Vesey (125 lb) opened with a high-scoring 19-12 decision, and Lennon Steinkuehler (141 lb) followed with a pin. Hodge III (149 lb) and Cohen (165 lb) each posted bonus-point wins, while Poyer (174 lb) continued his strong day with a 16-1 tech fall. Merevick (197 lb) and King (285 lb) closed the dual with convincing wins, as Harper outpaced Nassau from start to finish.

Championship – Harper 34, SUNY Niagara 15
In a rematch for the national title, the Hawks once again got the better of the host Thunderwolves, this time in more convincing fashion. Delgado (125 lb) repeated his earlier upset of No. 2–ranked Barrientos, edging him 7-6, while Vesey (133 lb) dominated his rematch with a 22-8 major decision. Galloway (149 lb), Hoeksema (157 lb), and Cohen (165 lb) each delivered statement wins, with Hoeksema earning a technical fall and Cohen posting a major decision. Brockie (184 lb) added a fall to extend Harper's lead, and the Hawks never looked back.

With the sweep, Harper secured the 2026 NJCAA DIII National Duals, reaffirming its standing as one of the premier non-scholarship programs in the country. The Hawks will look to carry that momentum into the second half of the season as they prepare for the NJCAA National Tournament in March.

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Players Mentioned

Aiden Cohen: Sophomore

Esteban Delgado: Sophomore

Lennon Steinkuehler: Sophomore

Gage Bambic: Freshman

Noah Brockie: Freshman

Michael Galloway: Freshman

Michael Hodge III: Freshman

Maguire Hoeksema: Freshman

Tyson Poyer: Freshman

Samuel Sikorsky: Freshman

Truth Vesey: Sophomore

Michael Merevick: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Aiden Cohen
: Sophomore

Esteban Delgado
: Sophomore

Lennon Steinkuehler
: Sophomore

Gage Bambic
: Freshman

Noah Brockie
: Freshman

Michael Galloway
: Freshman

Michael Hodge III
: Freshman

Maguire Hoeksema
: Freshman

Tyson Poyer
: Freshman

Samuel Sikorsky
: Freshman

Truth Vesey
: Sophomore

Michael Merevick
: Freshman