The Luther College wrestling team finished 13th at the 2026 NWCA/USMC National Meet Duals after posting a weekend record of 3-2 with all three wins over nationally ranked teams. Following the weekend, Luther is now 8-5 in dual meet competition. 

Norse Notes:
Clayton McDonough was 4-0 on the weekend with four falls. He improved to 24-0 for the year and 128-27 for his career. He is now ranked second all-time for career wins. His four falls gives him a career mark of 56 that ranks first all-time. With his final fall this weekend, he surpassed Garrett South (2002-05) who held the career mark with 55. He was also the leader for the weekend for the most falls in the least amount of time (10:33) that included all divisions. 

Bryce McDonough was 3-1 and is 18-4 for the year. His career record is 99-33. One more win and he will become the 19th Luther wrestler to earn 100 career wins. 

Connor Kidd was 4-0 with three falls and is 19-2 for the year and has a career mark of 82-35.

Ben Strehlow was 4-1 with two falls. He is now 13-5 for the year and 63-44 for his career.

Friday, Jan. 9
Luther 24, No. 20 New York University 22
Falls by Connor Kidd (133), Clayton McDonough (165) and Ben Strehlow (197) propelled the Norse to a preliminary round victory over NYU. Nationally ranked No. 11 Kidd, a 2025 All-American, pinned No. 8 Jacob Venezia (3:18) that gave the Norse an early 6-5 lead. Mateo Ochoa (141) and Peter Hollingshead (157) secured victories that extended the Norse lead to 12-8 at the midway point of the match. No. 1 McDonough, a two-time All-American, posted a fall (4:29) over Nick Bell, and two bouts later Ben Strehlow, a 2025 national meet qualifier, secured the victory with a fall (3:53) over Bennett Sonneborn.
Box Score

No. 1 Wartburg 50, Luther 0
Top ranked Wartburg posted bonus points in nine of the 10 bouts en route to the 50-0 win during the opening round of the NWCA/USMC of the 16-team championship bracket. 
Box Score

No. 9 Central 22, Luther 19
During the first match of the consolation side of the bracket, the Norse faced No. 9 Central College and were defeated 22-19. This match was decided at 285 with the match tied at 19-19. The Dutch jumped out to a 16-6 lead after five bouts. No. 1 Clayton McDonough (165) pulled the Norse to within four (12-16) thanks to a fall (1:29) over Bode Stanley. No. 6 Bryce McDonough level the match score (16-16) posting a major decision (9-0) victory over Lincoln Holub. The Dutch and Norse traded victories at 184 and 197 setting up the bout at 285. Central's Hayden Hearne secured the team victory with a hard-fought (4-1) decision over Tashuad Nelson.
Box Score

Saturday, Jan. 10
Luther 28, No. 13 UW-Whitewater 16
Luther started the second day of the national duals with a 28-16 victory over No. 13 UW-Whitewater. The Norse won six of 10 bouts, posting bonus points in four of them. Luis Lopez (125) got things started with a major decision (12-0) over Luke Berkhold. No. 11 Connor Kidd (133) followed with a fall (2:17) over Tyler Fiangco. After falling behind 13-10, nationally ranked brothers No. 1 Clayton McDonough (165) and No. 6 Bryce McDonough (174) posted back-to-back falls that gave the Norse the lead for good. Ben Strehlow (197) and Tashaud Nelson (285) completed the match with back-to-back victories. 
Box Score

Luther 34, No. 19 Wabash College 14
The Norse wrapped up the weekend with a second consecutive victory over a top-25 team, defeating Wabash 34-14. The Norse won 7 of 10 bouts, three by fall, one by tech fall and two by major decision. Mateo Ochoa (141), No. 1 Clayton McDonough, Ben Strehlow (197) all posted falls. No. 11 Connor Kidd recorded a tech fall, and both Peter Hollingshead (157) and No. 6 Bryce McDonough (174) posted major decisions. 
Box Score