Rutgers University’s wrestling team concluded its season at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland on March 20, with Remy Cotton and Hunter Catka advancing to the Blood Round. This marks the third consecutive year that multiple Scarlet Knights reached Friday night competition under head coach Scott Goodale.
The tournament ended with Cotton narrowly losing a 4-3 decision to Iowa’s Gabe Arnold in the Round of 12, while Catka was defeated in overtime by Wyoming’s Christian Carroll. The Scarlet Knights finished No. 11 in the final National Wrestling Coaches Association Coaches Poll for the second straight year, capping a season highlighted by a six-match winning streak and their first-ever victory over then-No. 6 Minnesota.
Nine Rutgers wrestlers qualified for nationals, making it the second-highest total in program history after sending ten athletes to Madison Square Garden in 2016. The team has now qualified seven or more student-athletes for five consecutive seasons dating back to 2021-22.
Catka and Cotton both advanced through the championship bracket with notable wins over higher-seeded opponents on Thursday. Cotton secured a major decision against Iowa State’s Rocky Elam, while Catka defeated Lehigh’s Nathan Taylor in sudden victory during his fourth NCAA appearance. Five Scarlet Knights—Catka, Cotton, Joseph Olivieri, Lenny Pinto, and Shane Cartagena-Walsh—competed on Friday following opening-night victories.
Ayden Smith and Andrew Barbosa made their NCAA debuts this year. Seniors Olivieri, Dylan Shawver, and Andrew Clark completed their collegiate careers with a combined ten national tournament appearances; Shawver finished as a four-time qualifier and earned All-American honors in 2024.
The strong showing at nationals reflects continued progress for Rutgers wrestling under Goodale’s leadership as they look ahead to future seasons.