INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 11-ranked UIndy Wrestling team are sending six wrestlers to this year's NCAA DII national championships at the Corveta Coliseum in Indianapolis, IN, which are set to begin at 10 a.m. on Friday March 14.
UIndy climbed 12 spots in the NWCA DII national poll released on March 7, after a strong showing at this year's Super Regional, which saw both Brayden Lowery and Jackson Hoover win their respective weight classes at 141 and 149.
The Hounds are tied with No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma for the most national qualifiers this year with six, both schools only trailing McKendree who had seven national qualifiers.
In the lineup for the Hounds this weekend will be; Nathan Smith (125), No. 3 Brayden Lowery (141), No. 7 Jackson Hoover (149), Nathan Conley (157), No. 3 Derek Blubaugh (197), and Cale Gray (285).
In comparison to 2024 where UIndy had two ranked qualifiers, the Hounds have three wrestlers ranked inside the top-10 at their weight class this year.
"We are excited for another opportunity to compete," head coach Jason Warthan said. "This one is special being in our backyard, which gives us a little home field advantage".
UIndy is headed into this year's national championships with a mix of experience. They are led by returning 2024 national qualifiers Blubaugh, who was crowned the 197 national champion in 2024 and Hoover at 149, and 2022 national qualifier Gray at 285. While the likes of; Conley, Lowery and Smith are all first time national qualifiers.
At 125, Smith faces a rematch against No. 4 Anthony Anciete of Tiffin, who he faced earlier this season at the Bob Del Rosa Open.
Lowery in 141 begins his journey for a national title against West Liberty's Khyvon Grace who he's never matched up against. But in the second round, he has a potential match up against No. 6 Joseph Airola from Nebraska-Kearney, who Lowery bested at the 2025 National Duals.
In 149, Hoover received a first round bye, and faces a potential second round match up against UNC Pembroke's Jake Piccirilli or Augstana's No. 2-ranked Cael Larson. Of those two, Hoover has only seen Larson when they squared off at the 2024 edition of National Duals where Hoover beat Larson via an 8-6 decision.
Conley at 157 gets a rematch in round one against No. 6 Guy Deleonardis from Glenville State, who beat Conley via a 5-1 decision at the Greyhound Duals in February.
Blubaugh has his eyes set on a back-to-back national titles at 197, and a potential semi final rematch with McKendree's No. 2-ranked Logan Kvien who has beaten him twice this season, once at the GLVC Championships and once at the Super Regional IV.
Blubaugh's first match up is against Wayne McIntyre, who he's never faced before, while in round two, Blubaugh will face the winner of No. 6-ranked Dakoda Rodgers from Pitt-Johnstown and Kaine Morris of Ashland. Blubaugh has seen both guys before, Morris in the 2024 Bob Del Rosa Open where he won 15-0, and Rodgers at the 44th Annual Midwest Classic semifinals where he bested Rodgers via a 2-1 decision.
Gray rounds out the six Greyhounds competing at this year's national championships, when he takes on No. 5 Isaiah Vance from Pitt-Johnstown, who he's faced one time before in 2021 at the 42nd Annual Midwest Classic. Vance got the best of Gray via a 12-5 decision victory.
"Myself and the coaching staff are super proud of all six guys, including our four seniors who get to wrap up their wrestling careers at home," Warthan said.
For more information about the NCAA DII National Championships, please visit TrackWrestling, and follow along on UIndy Athletics website and social media platforms.
