MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's wrestling team is ready for the start of the 2026-27 season. The Rams have no choice with perennial power and No. 2 nationally-ranked UW-La Crosse first on deck.
 
Coach Brent Hamm's Rams make their season debut against the defending NCAA runner-up at 2 p.m. Sunday in Kenosha, Wis. 
 
"We have to be ready right out of the gate against one of the top programs in enemy territory," said Hamm, entering his ninth season in charge. "We want to know where we're at as a team."
 
Hamm is confident the Rams have the makeup of becoming a very good team, one year after setting a program record for most points scored (115.5) at a regional tournament.
 
The Rams return six regional competitors from last year's lineup, led by four placewinners in senior Brian Petry (third at 165 pounds), senior AJ Parrish (fifth at 157), sophomore Nolan Howell (seventh at 174) and sophomore Owen Adlfinger (eighth at 149). Parrish and Petry are both three-year starters.
 
Petry, a two-time NCAA qualifier, is ranked No. 5 at 165 in the NWCA Preseason Poll. He led the team in wins last season with a 30-10 mark. Petry enters his final collegiate campaign with an 89-38 career record.
 
Parrish is a two-time regional placer. He went 28-9 a season ago.
 
"Some of our guys should earn a spot on the podium at the NCAA Tournament in March," Hamm said. "Our seniors have been great leaders and have set the standard for our younger guys. We have a young group that is as talented as we've had in quite a while. There's a path forward. They are capable of reaching a high level of wrestling."
 
Howell finished 25-10 at 174. Adlfinger won 24 matches and posted 10 pins. The Rams bring back two other regional placewinners in a deep 174-pound weight class with senior Scotty Scheidecker (seventh in 2024) and junior Jace Nelson-Brown (eighth in 2025).
 
Junior 141-pounder Dylan Heater and senior heavyweight Braydon Hoffman both made the regional lineup in 2026.
 
Accomplished graduated starters Jase Van Pelt, Eli Sneed, Austin Wilkins and Jackson Brinker left behind 305 career wins.
 
"We'll do what we have to do to put our best 10 guys on the mat," Hamm said. "We have all the pieces. It will come down to focusing on the small details and executing. They have to go out and earn it."
 
At 125, sophomore Owen West finished 21-11 and led the team with 18 pins. Junior 133-pounder Jayson Stevens went 14-6 in limited action last season.
 
Along with Heater at 141, the Rams return sophomore Truman Folkers (26-8 last season) and welcome Iowa state champion Liam Adlfinger from Wilton.
 
Freshman Deegan Mitchell (157) won a state title in Missouri, while newcomers Louden Bloxham (184) and Logan Van Duyne (197) were both state finalists.
 
"I'm excited about our growth potential," Hamm said. "Our floor is higher than it's been in the past. The quality of wrestlers in our room is very good."
 
Cornell's home opener is Nov. 12 against UW-Platteville. The team hosts the Ram Duals Nov. 14 and also has home meets against Loras (Dec. 10) and Coe (Feb. 10). The Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitational is Jan. 16 in Mount Vernon.
 
The Region Championships return to Dubuque Feb. 26-27. The NCAA Championships will be contested March 12-13 in La Crosse, Wis.