Wrestling teams set for 2025-26 season

Linfield men's and women's wrestling season kicks off this weekend, as the Wildcats head north to British Columbia to compete in the Simon Fraser Tournament and the Simon Fraser Duals. The ‘Cats compete in 16 meets this season, eight of which are duals, and five of which are in McMinnville. Head coach Frank Johnson leads the team for a third season since the teams were brought back to campus. Both teams have hopes of reaching the NCAA Midwest Regionals and the NCAA Division III Championships, something the men's squad completed a year ago and came just short of earning numerous individual podium finishes at the regional in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Seven Wildcats from a year ago enter this season as seniors, looking to lead a refreshed roster to new heights, and establish a winning culture now three years into Johnson's tenure. 

Both teams said farewell to multiple last season's major contributors, with the women's program graduating five, most notably 138-pound wrestler Emily Sullenger. Sullenger ended last season with the best record for the Wildcats, going 13-5 following an impressive five-match win streak to open the season. On the men's side, seven 'Cats graduated, with Jonathon Fagen (184-pounds) leaving with a 12-2 record, with his only regular-season losses coming in medical forfeits, as his season was cut short due to injury. 

Although, Linfield leans on four key pieces returning to the lineup, Ethan Ensrud, Klaira Flatt, Ayana Medina, and Jacob Moore. Ensrud was one of two Wildcats to win a match at last year's NCAA Upper Midwest Regional, earning a tech fall against his opponent in his second match. Ayana Medina is the best returning Wildcat from a season ago, boasting a 7-6 overall record at 145-pounds. Flatt is one of the most experienced returners for the women, competing in 22 matches. 

Women's wrestling welcomes a class of seven freshman to the team: Jessica Cottings, Cadence Fineran, Cassidy Jones-Mowen, Nohi Kukonu, Ashley Swanson, Lola Togia, and Alexia Zacharof. Togia is a dual-sport athlete for the Wildcats, currently competing on the Linfield volleyball team. Kukonu comes to McMinnville from Honolulu, Hawaii, one of three on the team who come from outside of the lower 48 states. On the men's side, eight freshman look to compete in their first collegiate wrestling season: Adrian Clark, Damon Gasilos, Dylan Guidry, Trevor Jackson, Draven Marsh, Camden Roofener, Dean Smith, and Duke Wentzel. Roofener joins Trey Dieringer also as dual-sport athletes, currently on the Linfield football roster for the Fall. Gasilos makes the furthest trek to become a Wildcat, a native of Kalihi, Hawaii. 

The wrestling season kicks off this weekend north of the border in British Columbia, Canada, as both Wildcat teams will compete in the Simon Fraser Tournament on Saturday in Burnaby, B.C. The first home event comes just over two weeks from today, as Linfield hosts Northwest Conference foe Pacific in a dual meet inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium on November, 14th at 7 p.m; just one of three events to be held inside Ted Wilson Gym this season. Annually, the ‘Cats will continue to host the Mat ’Cat Open inside the Linfield Fieldhouse, an eight-mat set up that brings wrestlers from all across the west coast. One of the premier events of each season, the “Night at the Museum” will be held in McMinnville at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, where Linfield hosts Treasure Valley Community College for a dual meet on January 23 at 7 p.m.