2025-2026 Men’s Wrestling Season Preview
2024-2025 Heart finish: 6th of 9 teams
Notable returners:
Lane Scorpil, Sr., Columbus Junction, Iowa
(National qualifier, 16-10 record, 10 falls)
Kendal Pugh, So., Letts, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 12-14 record, 4 falls)
Trent Evans, Jr., Houston, Texas
(Letterwinner, 12-14 record)
Notable losses:
Cameron Hargrove
(National qualifier)
Branson Bottorff
(National qualifier)
Notable newcomers:
Brody Brisker, Fr., Wilton, Iowa
Ashton Hayhurst, Jr., Evansville, Ind.
Jace Parent, Fr., Milton, Ga.
LaDainian Gordon, Jr., Centennial, Colo.
The William Penn men's wrestling team will lean on several impressive newcomers, along with a solid crew of returners, as it hits the mat for the 2024-2025 season.
Second-year head coach Drew Sams is looking to move the Statemen to new heights after the Statesmen finished sixth at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship a year ago and managed three NAIA national qualifiers.
Lane Scorpil (Sr., Columbus Junction, Iowa, Business Management) is the program's lone returning qualifier, and is primed to close out his collegiate career on a high note.
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Returner Gentry Walston (So., New Sharon, Iowa, Human Resource Management) leads the way at the sport's lowest weight class. He was 4-13 a year ago with all four victories coming via fall.
133
Scorpil paces all returning Statesmen with 16 wins (16-10 overall), highlighted by 10 pins. He has qualified for nationals twice in his career.
141
Newcomer Brody Brisker (Fr., Wilton, Iowa, Sports Management) will guide WPU in his first season in the navy and gold.
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Fellow newcomer Luis Garza (Fr., Pharr, Texas, Exercise Science) is also slated to garner a starting bid.
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Returner Trent Evans (So., Houston, Texas, Mechanical Engineering) and newcomer Ashton Hayhurst (Jr., Evansville, Ind., Sociology) are embroiled in a good battle at 157 pounds. Evans was 12-14 during the 2024-2025 season.
165
A new face will take over at 165 pounds with freshmen Jace Parent (Milton, Ga., Business Management) and Travis Coleman (Murrieta, Calif., Secondary Education) competing for the job.
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After going 12-14 last year (four falls) Kendal Pugh (So., Letts, Iowa, Business Management) is hoping for a breakout year.
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Transfer LaDainian Gordon (Jr., Centennial, Colo., Nursing) is seeking to make his mark at the 184-pound weight class.
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Like Gordon, Francisco Espinoza (Jr., Oakley, Calif., Sociology) is another transfer who brings previous collegiate experience to the squad.
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Once he finishes his football season, Skyler Young (So., Eddyville, Iowa, Secondary Education) will join up with his mat teammates. The sophomore owned a 5-9 record with four falls a year ago.
The Statesmen begin the campaign Thursday with a Heart dual at St. Ambrose. In addition to hosting the Heart Championship on February 20-21, WPU will also be in Penn Gymnasium for four dual meets.
