CLEVELAND - Pennsylvania continues to be a powerhouse in the wrestling world, with a remarkable ten percent of the 2026 NCAA Division I men’s wrestling All-Americans hailing from the Keystone State. Eight talented wrestlers from Pennsylvania took home NCAA medals on March 21 at Rocket Arena, improving on the six All-Americans from the previous year.
Pennsylvania led the nation with 50 wrestlers participating in the tournament. Let's break down the achievements of these eight medalists, showcasing their journey to the national podium.
Pennsylvania’s Eight All-Americans
Jax Forrest, Bishop McCort: The standout story of the tournament, Forrest claimed the championship at 133 pounds for Oklahoma State. Making waves by leaving Johnstown and skipping the end of his high school season, he triumphed in the tournament’s deepest weight class. Forrest capped his run with a 5-2 victory over Ohio State’s Ben Davino in the finals.
Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon: Seidel took third place at 133 pounds for Virginia Tech, with his only loss coming against Forrest. A three-time PIAA champion and former Pennsylvania high school career wins leader, Seidel rebounded from a semifinal defeat to secure two victories, including a decisive 5-0 win over Penn State’s Marcus Blaze in the consolation final.
Jake Van Dee, Cathedral Prep: Van Dee finished seventh at 133 pounds for Nebraska, showcasing resilience by stringing together four consecutive victories after an initial round loss. This mirrors his path through the 2025 NCAA tournament. The Union City native is now a two-time NCAA All-American, continuing Cathedral Prep’s streak of producing at least one All-American for six straight seasons.
Wyatt Henson, Waynesburg: Henson placed eighth at 141 pounds for Lock Haven. After a second-round loss, he rallied with three consecutive wins in the consolation bracket, earning Lock Haven’s sole All-American honor for 2026.
Collin Gaj, Quakertown: Gaj secured a fifth-place finish at 149 pounds for Virginia Tech. After starting the tournament 1-1, he powered through with four straight victories to reach the consolation semifinals, closing his freshman season with a 25-9 record.
Ty Watters, West Allegheny: Watters placed sixth at 157 pounds for West Virginia. Returning to the national stage after an injury redshirt in 2024-25, he is now a two-time NCAA All-American.
Levi Haines, Biglerville: Haines claimed his second national title at 174 pounds for Penn State, concluding his collegiate career with a 2-1 victory over Nebraska’s Christopher Minto in the finals. Haines also won an NCAA crown in 2024.
Rocco Welsh, Waynesburg: Welsh was the runner-up at 184 pounds for Penn State, narrowly missing the championship against Minnesota’s Max McEnelly. After redshirting in 2025 and placing second at 174 for Ohio State in 2024, Welsh returned to the national finals for the Nittany Lions.
Pennsylvania's wrestling talent remains a force to be reckoned with, demonstrating depth and resilience across the board. These athletes not only represent their state with pride but also continue to set the bar high on the national stage.