Wheeling, W. Va. - After taking a break for the Christmas season, the Wheeling University Wrestling team kicked off 2026 at the Fairmont State Open. In total, six Cardinals placed across six different weight classes, and the team was recognized on the weekly Mountain East Conference (MEC) Player of the Week awards, presented by The Healthplan. Freshman Jack Dinwiddie was named Co-MEC Wrestler of the week, after earning the 141-pound championship at the event.
Dinwiddie would start the day against unattached wrestler Johnny Baiano and battled to an 11-5 decision to start his day. He was one of the few Cardinals who did not receive a first round bye, and he carried that momentum into his first MEC match of the day. He would take on West Liberty's Matt Englehardt and earned a 17-2 tech fall win that advanced him to the semifinal round. There, he would battle unattached wrestler Ethan Mitchell in what was his closest bout of the night. It came down to the third period, and a late takedown was enough to lift Dinwiddie to a 4-2 Decision. He would head to the 141-pound championship match, where he was pitted against Fairmont State's Colton Stoneking. Dinwiddie would end up winning the match by injury default, earning him his first collegiate tournament championship.
It was the second time this season that Dinwiddie has placed in a collegiate tournament, and the first since he took 4th at the Mount Union Invitational back on November 1st. His 4-0 effort helped improve his season record to 15-6 overall, placing him second on the team in wins behind Neal Krysty. Across 21 matches this season, Dinwiddie sits second on the team in both pins (6) and decisions (5) while tying for the team lead with 21 matches wrestled. He holds a .714 win percentage on the season, sitting fourth on the team and has at least one win in every event he has wrestled this season. Saturday marked his first undefeated tournament performance of the season as he looks to build on the success down the MEC Championship stretch.
For Jack Dinwiddie, it was his first career Wrestler of the Week honor, and marks the 27th Wheeling University student-athlete to take home conference player of the week honors this season. He is the second Wheeling University Wrestler to take home Wrestler of the Week honors, joining teammate Gavin Harper who one Co-Wrestler of the Week honors back on November 10th. Wheeling Men's Basketball player Ayden Goll took home the last conference player of the week honors, being named MEC Men's Basketball Player of the Week back on December 22nd.
The Wheeling University Wrestling team returns to action on Saturday, January 10th, when they host Waynesburg University and Davis & Elkins in tri-meet action beginning at 6 PM.
