Case Western Reserve University Head Wrestling Coach David Shapiro was named the NWCA Division III Region V Coach of the Year, the organization announced prior to the Region V Tournament on Thursday night.
Shapiro, in his third season at CWRU, was voted by his peers as the top coach in a region of 17 teams.
Under Shapiro's leadership, Case Western Reserve has a 22-13 record in dual meets, including a 11-4 mark this season. This season, three Spartans, seniors Art Martinez and Thomas Wagner and junior Mathew Gummere, qualified for the national championship, the first CWRU wrestlers to make the tournament in 12 years. It also marked the first time the program had at least three members qualify for the national meet since 2003.
The squad has earned seven NWCA Scholar All-America honors with four in 2025 and three in 2024. Additionally, Martinez was named the 2026 University Athletic Association Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Championship. Shapiro also mentored the 2024 UAA Rookie of the Year in Simon Bishop.
This season, Case Western Reserve had its best-ever finish at the regional championships, tying for sixth with 106.0 points. Eight Spartans placed in the top eight in the region, including five in the top six.
The 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championships will be held at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. Action starts at 11 a.m. ET on both days. Unofficial draws will be released by the NCAA online on March 6 at 1 p.m. with the final brackets unveiled on March 10 at 1 p.m.
