Wheeling, W. Va. - During the 2024-2025 season, Wheeling University Wrestler Gavin Harper made history when he became the first wrestler in program history to win All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) honors. The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released their preseason National rankings by weight class and Harper would continue to make history. The redshirt junior was ranked #13 in the nation in the Heavyweight class, becoming the first Cardinal wrestler to earn a national ranking since the 2019 season.
"Being ranked feels great," said Harper. "I'm excited for the season to start because I know that I am better than the #13 ranking and have been training hard to prove that. I just can't wait to get out there and show everyone that I did not take it easy after last year."
Harper transferred into the Cardinal wrestling program last season, and his impact was immediately felt on the mat. He would finish his season 31-10 overall, putting himself just two wins shy of the single-season win record of 33, held by former Cardinal Dustin Warner during the 2014-2015 season. He would lead the Cardinals in several categories throughout the season, including wins (31), winning percentage (.733), pinfalls (10), Major Decisions (6), and matches wrestled (26). He would hit his stride as the regular season came to an end, with his best performance coming at the Purple Raider Open, where he finished 4th in the 285LB weight class going 4-2 across six matches at the tournament. Heading into the 2025 MEC Wrestling Championships, Harper continued his momentum on the way to making history for the Cardinals.
HE entered the championship bracket with a 16-0 tech fall win to start the day, and took his first loss to West Liberty's Parker Bentley to fall to the elimination bracket. However, he would hit his stride there with a tech fall win over Kourdell Todd from Salem to advance to the third place match. There, he would face Frostburg State's Gavin Bage, and got the job done with a 16-0 tech fall win to earn third at the tournament. He woudl become the first All-MEC wrestler in program history, and looked to continue that momentum into regionals. Harper would make it to the quarterfinal match, but fell to the consolation bracket. He would pick up four straight wins to advance to the fifth place match, where he defeated East Stroudsburg's Layton Schmick in a 6-2 decision. It rounded out a big season for Harper and he looks to build on that success in 2025-2026.
"I'm incredibly proud of Gavin," said Wheeling University Head Wrestling Coach Shane Brown. "He has stepped up and become a great leader for us. Being our first nationally ranked wrestler since 2019 is an amazing accomplishment and he is showing that we are building something great here."
Harper is one of three MEC wrestlers ranked in the top 15 of the 285 LB class, joining West Liberty's Parker Bentley (#12) and Frostburg State's Gavin Bage (#14). Leading the way is Pitt-Johnstown's Isaiah Vance, following by Nebraska-Kearney's Crew Howard and Kutztown's Freddie Retter.
The Wheeling University Wrestling team opens their season this weekend when they travel to the Mount Union Invitational at 9 AM.
