GLENVILLE, W.Va. — The West Liberty University wrestling team delivered a dominant, top-to-bottom performance to capture the 2026 Mountain East Conference Wrestling Championship on Saturday at the Waco Center on the campus of Glenville State University.
The championship marks West Liberty's fourth MEC wrestling title and its first since 2023, as the Hilltoppers crowned five individual champions, produced two runners-up, and added three third-place finishers. All 10 West Liberty wrestlers earned All-MEC honors, underscoring the program's depth and consistency.
West Liberty's championship push was anchored by five title winners, each producing bonus-point victories and significant team scoring.
Anthony Wood (149) captured the MEC championship with a perfect 2-0 tournament, scoring 15.5 team points. After earning a decision in the semifinals, Wood sealed the title with a decisive fall in the championship bout, setting the tone for the Hilltoppers' surge.
At 157 pounds, Nico Taddy delivered one of the most efficient performances of the day, going 3-0 and scoring 17.5 team points. Taddy opened with a first-period fall, advanced via medical forfeit, and capped his run with a convincing decision in the finals.
Jordan Watters (165) continued his outstanding season with a dominant championship effort, scoring 18.5 team points — the highest total by any Hilltopper at the event. Watters recorded two falls and a major decision, closing his tournament with a championship-match pin to secure the title.
At 174 pounds, Carter Winegardner powered through his bracket to claim first place and score 17.0 team points. Winegardner, the runner-up a year ago, earned a lightning-fast fall in the quarterfinals, followed by a technical fall in the semifinals, before edging his opponent in a sudden-victory decision in the championship bout.
Rounding out the champions, Oliver Byerly (184) went 3-0 on the day to claim the MEC crown, the fourth straight year a Hilltopper has won at this weight class, and score 14.5 team points. Byerly recorded a decision, a major decision, and a strong finals victory to add critical points to the Hilltopper total.
West Liberty also picked up valuable points from two runner-up finishes at the lower weights.
At 125 pounds, Logan Davis placed second,for the second straight year, scoring 14.5 team points after recording a fall and a major decision en route to the finals. James Armstrong Jr. followed with a second-place finish at 133 pounds, contributing 13.5 team points highlighted by a first-round fall and a semifinal decision.
Three additional Hilltoppers reached the podium with third-place finishes.
Khyvon Grace (141) battled back through the consolation bracket to place third, finishing in the top-three for the fourth straight year, scoring 13.0 team points with a technical fall and a major decision. At 197 pounds, Gabe Blissenbach added 13.5 team points with a third-place finish that included a major decision. Heavyweight Parker Bentley (285) rounded out the scoring with a third-place finish and 12.5 team points, highlighted by a fall in the consolation semifinals.
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Team Scores
1. West Liberty - 150.0
2. Glenville State - 137.5
3. Frostburg State - 107.5
4. Fairmont State - 87.5
5. Wheeling - 75.0
6. Salem - 57.0
7. Davis & Elkins - 22.5
7. Point Park - 22.5
2026 MEC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler: Colton Stoneking (Fairmont State)
Individual Champions & All-Conference
125
CHAMPION: Colton Drousias (Glenville State)
Second Team All-MEC: Logan Davis (West Liberty)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Amir Wray-Hill (Frostburg State)
133
CHAMPION: Ethan Hardy (Glenville State)
Second Team All-MEC: James Armstrong Jr. (West Liberty)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Trace Ragland (Fairmont State)
141
CHAMPION: Colton Stoneking (Fairmont State)
Second Team All-MEC: Ethan Hardy (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Khyvon Grace (West Liberty)
149
CHAMPION: Tony Wood (West Liberty)
Second Team All-MEC: Greg Heilbrun (Frostburg State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Moses Eads (Glenville State)
157
CHAMPION: Nicco Taddy (West Liberty)
Second Team All-MEC: Jimmie Bailes (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Alex Blake (Frostburg State)
165
CHAMPION: Jordan Watters (West Liberty)
Second Team All-MEC: Seth Thomas (Salem)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Connor Holm (Glenville State)
174
CHAMPION: Carter Winegardner (West Liberty)
Second Team All-MEC: Ethan Lopez (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Josh Woyan (Fairmont State)
184
CHAMPION: Oliver Byerly (West Liberty)
Second Team All-MEC: Max Borton (Glenville State)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Cooper Durst (Fairmont State)
197
CHAMPION: Nick Johnson (Glenville State)
Second Team All-MEC: Jaxon Burcher (Wheeling)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Gabe Blissenbach (WLU)
285 (HWT)
CHAMPION: Colby Whitehill (Glenville State)
Second Team All-MEC: Gavin Harper (Wheeling)
Honorable Mention All-MEC: Parker Bentley (West Liberty)
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
