Thursday, March 19
Cleveland, OH
8:00 am
Air Force Academy
at
NCAA Championships
Carter Nogle Claims All-America, Places Top 5 at 2026 NCAA Championships
3/21/2026 7:23:00 PM | Wrestling
CLEVELAND – Air Force C3C Carter Nogle, becoming the 10th Falcon All-American wrestler while winning the program's 15th All-America honor, battled to a fifth-place finish at the 2026 NCAA Championship over the weekend at Rocket Arena. Nogle becomes just the second C3C to earn the honor behind the great three-time All-American, Terry Issacson, in 1962.
Nogle's efforts pushed the Falcons to a myriad of team highlights: a top 25 finish for the third time in four years, the team's third All-America in four years, and arguably the most important highlight— a team finish ahead of Army and Navy.
In the final day of action, Nogle squared off with (5) Luke Stanich of Lehigh for a chance to compete for third. Stanich, a two-time All-American, displayed why he earned the honors, scoring six points on a pair of first-period takedowns. Nogle was quick to escape both times, putting the match at 6-2 heading into the second period. Nogle was able to score a quick escape for the only points of the second period. Stanich capped the performance with a third-period takedown despite being quickly met with Nogle's escape. Nogle was unable to score a takedown before the final whistle, dropping the bout, 9-4.
Nogle was slated to take on (4) Anthony Echemendia for fifth, but the Cyclone medically withdrew from the tournament, making Nogle the fifth-place wrestler. Nogle concluded his exceptional sophomore season with a 27-8 record highlighted by All-America honors and a third-place finish at the Big 12 Championship.
Day 3
(5) Luke Stanich (Lehigh) over (18) Carter Nogle, 9-4
(18) Carter Nogle over (4) over Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State), M FOR
Day 2 Recap
(18) Carter Nogle over (23) Dylan Chappell (Bucknell), 10-3
(18) Carter Nogle over (6) Vince Cornella (Cornell), Fall 6:43
(18) Carter Nogle over (13) Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven), 10-5
Nogle opened day two action against Bucknell's 23 seed Dylan Chappell, outscoring the Bison, 10-3, with a takedown scored in each period highlighted by a 4-0 third period.
Carter's highlight showing came against three-time NCAA qualifier and six seed Vincent Cornella or Cornell. Nogle put the pressure on early, forcing a stall call on Cornella in the first period. Nogle started the second period in the top position and turned Cornella to his back for four near fall points halfway through the period. Cornella escaped and entered the third period trailing, 4-1. Nogle pushed the pace in the third period, scoring a pair of takedowns with a pair of escapes, the last takedown leading to the fall against Cornella making high-risk decisions at 6:43.
The win secured All-America status and etched Nogle's name in an elite club of Air Force wrestlers to earn the coveted honor.
Riding the high of All-America, Nogle remained focused and kept his eye on the next target as he squared off against four-time NCAA qualifier Wyatt of Lock Haven.
Carter, for the third straight match, scored the first takedown in the first period. For the second straight match, Nogle started the second period on top and turned his opponent to his back for four near fall points. Henson, starting on top in period three, didn't effort to ride Nogle out, conceding an escape point to the Falcon. Henson managed to score a takedown with 10 seconds remaining, met with a quick escape and riding time point award to Nogle. The Falcon claimed the win, 10-5.
Nogle gave up just one takedown and one reversal in three matches at the nation's most prestigious folkstyle wrestling tournament. Nogle's tear through the 141-consolation bracket upped his tournament record to 5-1, turning a first-round loss into a five-match winning streak and NCAA Championship podium.
Day 1 Recap
(15) Elijah Griffin (Rider) over (18) Carter Nogle, 7-4
(18) Carter Nogle over (31) Billy Dkraker (Northwestern), 3-0
(18) Carter Nogle over (17) Caedyn Ricciardi (Navy), 9-4
Nogle, seeded No. 18 in his first national tournament appearance, took on 15-seed Elijah Grffin (Rider) in the opening round. Nogle and Griffin met once before in the 2024-25 dual season prior to Griffin's transfer to Rider. Griffin, a California Baptist wrestler last season, is now 2-0 against Nogle, winning the First-Round match, 7-4. Nogle tallied points via escape and penalty but was unable to secure a takedown.
Nogle, rising to the occasion as he often does, met with Northwestern's (31) Billy DeKraker. Nogle turned a takedown into a pin at 2:35 in the first period— the fall marked Nogle's sixth of the season. The sophomore standout secured his position in the second day of NCAA Championship action with the commanding win. Nogle will take on service academy rival Caedyn Ricciardi of Navy in the next consolation round. Nogle met with the Midshipmen earlier this season at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas invite, pinning the Naval Academy wrestler in the third period.
Nogle's efforts pushed the Falcons to a myriad of team highlights: a top 25 finish for the third time in four years, the team's third All-America in four years, and arguably the most important highlight— a team finish ahead of Army and Navy.
In the final day of action, Nogle squared off with (5) Luke Stanich of Lehigh for a chance to compete for third. Stanich, a two-time All-American, displayed why he earned the honors, scoring six points on a pair of first-period takedowns. Nogle was quick to escape both times, putting the match at 6-2 heading into the second period. Nogle was able to score a quick escape for the only points of the second period. Stanich capped the performance with a third-period takedown despite being quickly met with Nogle's escape. Nogle was unable to score a takedown before the final whistle, dropping the bout, 9-4.
Nogle was slated to take on (4) Anthony Echemendia for fifth, but the Cyclone medically withdrew from the tournament, making Nogle the fifth-place wrestler. Nogle concluded his exceptional sophomore season with a 27-8 record highlighted by All-America honors and a third-place finish at the Big 12 Championship.
Day 3
(5) Luke Stanich (Lehigh) over (18) Carter Nogle, 9-4
(18) Carter Nogle over (4) over Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State), M FOR
Day 2 Recap
(18) Carter Nogle over (23) Dylan Chappell (Bucknell), 10-3
(18) Carter Nogle over (6) Vince Cornella (Cornell), Fall 6:43
(18) Carter Nogle over (13) Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven), 10-5
Nogle opened day two action against Bucknell's 23 seed Dylan Chappell, outscoring the Bison, 10-3, with a takedown scored in each period highlighted by a 4-0 third period.
Carter's highlight showing came against three-time NCAA qualifier and six seed Vincent Cornella or Cornell. Nogle put the pressure on early, forcing a stall call on Cornella in the first period. Nogle started the second period in the top position and turned Cornella to his back for four near fall points halfway through the period. Cornella escaped and entered the third period trailing, 4-1. Nogle pushed the pace in the third period, scoring a pair of takedowns with a pair of escapes, the last takedown leading to the fall against Cornella making high-risk decisions at 6:43.
The win secured All-America status and etched Nogle's name in an elite club of Air Force wrestlers to earn the coveted honor.
Riding the high of All-America, Nogle remained focused and kept his eye on the next target as he squared off against four-time NCAA qualifier Wyatt of Lock Haven.
Carter, for the third straight match, scored the first takedown in the first period. For the second straight match, Nogle started the second period on top and turned his opponent to his back for four near fall points. Henson, starting on top in period three, didn't effort to ride Nogle out, conceding an escape point to the Falcon. Henson managed to score a takedown with 10 seconds remaining, met with a quick escape and riding time point award to Nogle. The Falcon claimed the win, 10-5.
Nogle gave up just one takedown and one reversal in three matches at the nation's most prestigious folkstyle wrestling tournament. Nogle's tear through the 141-consolation bracket upped his tournament record to 5-1, turning a first-round loss into a five-match winning streak and NCAA Championship podium.
Day 1 Recap
(15) Elijah Griffin (Rider) over (18) Carter Nogle, 7-4
(18) Carter Nogle over (31) Billy Dkraker (Northwestern), 3-0
(18) Carter Nogle over (17) Caedyn Ricciardi (Navy), 9-4
Nogle, seeded No. 18 in his first national tournament appearance, took on 15-seed Elijah Grffin (Rider) in the opening round. Nogle and Griffin met once before in the 2024-25 dual season prior to Griffin's transfer to Rider. Griffin, a California Baptist wrestler last season, is now 2-0 against Nogle, winning the First-Round match, 7-4. Nogle tallied points via escape and penalty but was unable to secure a takedown.
Nogle, rising to the occasion as he often does, met with Northwestern's (31) Billy DeKraker. Nogle turned a takedown into a pin at 2:35 in the first period— the fall marked Nogle's sixth of the season. The sophomore standout secured his position in the second day of NCAA Championship action with the commanding win. Nogle will take on service academy rival Caedyn Ricciardi of Navy in the next consolation round. Nogle met with the Midshipmen earlier this season at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas invite, pinning the Naval Academy wrestler in the third period.
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149
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