Two wrestlers from West Virginia University secured third-place finishes at the 2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championships, contributing to the program’s highest team placement since the conference expanded in 2016. The Mountaineers earned 77.5 points and finished fifth among 14 teams at the event held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Redshirt sophomore Ty Watters and redshirt junior Ian Bush, both seeded fourth in their respective brackets, each claimed bronze medals on the tournament’s second day. They were among six WVU wrestlers who reached the podium.
Watters achieved his second career podium finish at this championship. He pinned Missouri’s Teague Travis in the consolation semifinals and then defeated South Dakota State’s Cael Swensen by a 6-2 decision to secure third place. In his match against Swensen, Watters scored an early takedown that ultimately decided the bout.
Bush competed in the 184-pound category and recorded two victories for his best career result at this tournament. He won by technical fall (17-1) over Northern Colorado’s Mahonri Rushton in the consolation semifinals. In the bronze medal match, Bush overcame North Dakota State’s Aidan Brenot with a 6-4 decision after trailing early in the contest.
Other notable results included redshirt senior Jordan Titus placing fifth at 141 pounds for his top finish at this event. Freshman Gunner Andrick and graduate student Jett Strickenberger each placed fourth in their weight classes after losing their final matches. Graduate student Willie McDougald took eighth place at 149 pounds, while redshirt freshman Rune Lawrence finished ninth at 197 pounds.
Strickenberger and Watters secured automatic qualifications for the NCAA Wrestling Championships. In total, five West Virginia wrestlers have earned automatic bids; additional selections will be announced on March 10.
The team’s performance represents its best showing since joining an expanded Big 12 Conference.