DURHAM, N.C. — Excitement is building as the NCAA reveals its first coaches’ rankings for the 2026 Division I Wrestling Championship. Two Duke wrestlers, Connor Barket and Aidan Wallace, have made the list.
These rankings come from a vote among three coaches per weight class. To be ranked, wrestlers need to have at least eight matches in their weight class, with one match happening within the last 30 days.
Wallace, from Mahwah, New Jersey, is ranked No. 24 in the 174-pound category. Barket, hailing from West Lafayette, Indiana, sits at No. 23 in the heavyweight class.
Barket, a standout from last season’s NCAA Championship, boasts a strong 17-4 record this season. He’s won 11 out of 13 dual matches and has had a solid showing in the ACC, going 2-1. At the Southern Scuffle, he placed fifth after racking up three victories.
Meanwhile, Wallace shines with a record of 23-3 this season, including 14 wins and just 2 losses in dual matches. He finished third at the Southern Scuffle, going 6-1 in the event. In his last six matches, he has kept opponents to six points or fewer.
The coaches’ rankings are just one factor in the NCAA’s selection and seeding process, which also looks at head-to-head results, overall performance, and more.
Mark your calendars: the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are set for March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The next ranking update will be released on February 12.
As the season heats up, Duke will face North Carolina on February 6 at 7 p.m. in Chapel Hill. Keep an eye on the Blue Devils—you won’t want to miss the action!
For more updates, you can follow Duke wrestling on social media by searching “DukeWRES.”
Engaging Insight: Wrestling is experiencing a surge in popularity, thanks in part to athletes like these making headlines. According to recent surveys, more young people are participating in wrestling than ever before, contributing to the sport’s growth at both high school and collegiate levels.
For more on NCAA wrestling statistics and rankings, check out NCAA.com.
