Eight members of the Case Western Reserve University wrestling team advanced to the second day of competition at the 2026 NCAA Division III Region V Tournament hosted by John Carroll University at the Athletic Events & Wellness Center in University Heights, Ohio, on Friday.

Three Spartans, sophomore Chase Crutchley and seniors Art Martinez and Thomas Wagner, were undefeated on Friday, reaching the semifinal round of their brackets. Through the first day of competition, CWRU is fourth out of 17 schools in the team standings with 73.0 points. Ahead of the Spartans are Wisconsin-Whitewater (103.0 points), North Central (95.5) and Millikin (76). Chicago with 72.0 points rounds out the top five.

Advancing Wrestlers

• Third-seed Wagner, 157 lbs.
  • 2-0
  • Won by fall in 3:58 over Rickey Lynch of Adrian and technical fall, 16-0, in 5:00 over Michael Hutchison of Millikin
  • Will face second-seeded Luke Swan of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the semifinals
  • Guaranteed at least sixth place
• Fourth-seed Martinez, 133 lbs.
  • 2-0
  • Won by major decision, 16-5, and decision, 10-3
  • Will face top-seeded Ethan Spacht from North Central in the semifinals
  • Guaranteed at least sixth place
• Fifth-seed Crutchley, 174 lbs.
  • 2-0
  • Defeated Nolan Rowley (Albion) and fourth-seeded Mitchell Betz (Manchester) by decision
  • Will face top-seeded Jermaine Butler from Wisconsin-Whitewater in the semifinals
  • Guaranteed at least sixth place
• Fourth-seed first-year Hunter Keane, 141 lbs.
  • 2-1
  • Won by forfeit and technical fall, 26-10, in 6:08 over Koen Eberhard of Albion
  • Will face eighth-seeded Sabri Sino of Millikin in fifth consolation round
  • Guaranteed at least eighth place
• Fifth-seed senior Aidan Gassel, 197 lbs.
  • 2-1
  • Won by decision, 7-6, lost by decision, 16-12, and pinned Shan Swank of Adrian in 2:18
  • Will face eighth-seeded Gideon Loewen of Olivet in the fifth consolation round
  • Guaranteed at least eighth place
• First-year Alexander Goldman, 285 lbs.
  • 2-1
  • Lost by decision, 7-4, won by decision, 6-1, and won by decision, 6-3 over eighth-seeded Edward Perry from Chicago
  • Will face fourth-seeded Thomas Lunt of John Carroll in fifth consolation round
  • Guaranteed at least eighth place
• Junior Mathew Gummere, 184 lbs.
  • 2-1
  • Won by decision, 5-4, and technical fall, 15-0 in 7:00
  • Will face Ethan Risner of Manchester in the fifth consolation round
  • Guaranteed at least eighth place
• Senior Marty Landes, 165 lbs.
  • 2-1
  • Lost by major decision before two technical falls
  • Won 17-1 in 3:20 and 17-2 in 3:54
  • Will face sixth-seeded Nick Cheshler of Chicago in the fifth consolation round
  • Guaranteed at least eighth place

Notable Performances

• Junior Robert Minden secured his fifth pin of the season in 2:12 over Jaymes Wildfong of Alma
• Senior E.J. Alizio had his team-leading 15th pin of the year in 4:56 over Dakota Phillips of Mount St. Joseph

Spartan Notes

• Alizio ended his career with a record of 89-72 with 33 pins and 11 technical falls
• With his first win, Crutchley secured his 30th victory of the year, the fourth CWRU this season to eclipse the milestone
• Martinez improved to 31-3 this season and 135-35 for his career
• Wagner had his 13th fall this year and the 34th of his career and his seventh technical fall during the campaign which was the 19th as a Spartan
• Gassel won his 20th match of the campaign, becoming the 11th Spartan wrestler to reach the milestone during the 2025-26 season
• Landes secured his team-leading 11th and 12th technical falls of the campaign

Up Next

The second and final day of competition begins at 10 a.m. with the semifinals and consolation quarterfinals. Place matches are tentatively scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. The top three placing wrestlers in each weight class will qualify for the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championships which will be held on March 13 and 14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.