The Pac-12 Conference has announced a significant expansion for its wrestling division. Beginning in the 2026-27 season, four new affiliate members will join the league: Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, and South Dakota State. This addition marks a pivotal step in the conference’s development.
Overview of Pac-12 Wrestling Expansion
With these new programs, the Pac-12 will feature a total of nine wrestling teams. This expansion aligns with the launch of a restructured Pac-12, aimed at strengthening the overall competitiveness in wrestling. The newly added teams will join Northern Illinois, which was previously announced as a wrestling affiliate member.
Membership Details
- New Wrestling Affiliate Members for 2026-27 Season:
- Air Force
- Northern Colorado
- North Dakota State
- South Dakota State
- Total wrestling teams in Pac-12: 9
- Minimum required teams for NCAA automatic qualification: 6
This update means the conference has officially met the NCAA’s requirement for maintaining automatic qualification for its annual champions. Moreover, this marks the largest wrestling membership for the Pac-12 since the 2008-09 season.
Achievements of New Members
The recent NCAA Championships showcased the competitive spirit of the current teams, with a total of 31 wrestlers representing the Pac-12 in Cleveland. Notably, two wrestlers achieved All-American status in 2026:
- Stephen Little (Little Rock) – 3rd place in the 197-pound category.
- Carter Nogle (Air Force) – 5th place in the 141-pound division.
Over the past five years, the combined strength of these programs has yielded impressive results:
- Total wrestlers sent to NCAA Championships: 166
- All-Americans achieved: 34
- Top 25 team finishes at NCAA Championships: 9 times
Individual Program Highlights
- Air Force: Achieved a Top 25 finish for three of the last four years. Carter Nogle has received All-American honors under head coach Sam Barber.
- Northern Colorado: Under head coach Teyon Ware, the Bears reached NCAA Championships. Andrew Alirez won the 141-pound title in 2023.
- North Dakota State: Sent five wrestlers to the championships in 2026 and has three All-Americans over the last four years.
- South Dakota State: Contributed 31 wrestlers to NCAA Championships in the past four years, including a record nine in 2025, with seven achieving All-American status.
Reactions to the Expansion
Coaches from various teams shared their excitement regarding this expansion. Here are some key remarks:
- Jon Sioredas, Cal Poly Head Coach: “We welcome these outstanding programs and look forward to the energy they will bring.”
- Chris Pendleton, Oregon State Head Coach: “This new group will change the landscape of college wrestling!”
- Neil Erisman, Little Rock Head Coach: “This expansion strengthens our conference and the future of wrestling in the West.”
- Luke Smith, Cal State Bakersfield Head Coach: “We are excited about the Pac-12’s commitment to wrestling.”
- Sam Barber, Air Force Head Coach: “We are honored to join the Pac-12 and eager to contribute to its wrestling tradition.”
This expansion heralds a new era for Pac-12 wrestling, emphasizing collaboration and competitive growth among its member programs.
