WICHITA, Kan. – Brackets | Team Score | The 2021 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championship was full of firsts. Many first-time qualifiers, first-time All-Americans, first time finalists and individual titles. The biggest first however, happened at the conclusion of the championship when Life University (Ga.) was crowned 2021 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Champions.

The Running Eagles were one of four teams who came to the tournament with a full 12-athlete roster. They will leave Wichita with 10 All-Americans, one individual champion, one sportsmanship award and a national champion red banner and trophy.

Life finished with 158 points, with Grand View (Iowa) earned runner-up with 153 points. Rounding out the top five were third place Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) with 89 points, fourth place Indiana Tech with 75.5 points and fifth place Cumberland (Tenn.) with 74 points.

Fourteen schools from ten different states were represented on big stage on Saturday night in Hartman Arena. The championship bouts started off with former high school teammates Brandon Orum of Life (Ga.) and Lucas Nelson of Brewton-Parker (Ga.) battling for the 125 individual title. No. 4 seeded Orum won by decision over No. 2 seeded Lucas Nelson of Brewton-Parker. Helping boost a small lead for the Running Eagles to start the night.

Taking the mat next was Esco Walker of Cumberland (Tenn.) and Indiana Tech’s Conner Gimson. Gimson won by decision over Walker 4-2. Gimson’s twin brother Matt Gimson also qualified for the championship at 133 and earned All-America status. The twins were both in the semifinals with the potential to meet in the championship bout. M. Gimson was defeated by Walker leaving C. Gimson a chance to wrestle him for the title.

Ryan Moore at 141 made history for Thomas More (Ky.) becoming the first finalist in school history. He faced 141 defending national champion Baterden Boldmaa of Doane (Neb.). Boldmaa defeated Moore by decision 7-4. Brennan Swafford of Graceland (Iowa) earned back-to-back titles after winning 174.

Southeastern (Fla.) had its first ever finalists wrestling Saturday night. Andreus Bond (149) was one of them. He met No. 5 Denver Stonecheck of Life (La.). The two faced each other just two weeks prior where Stonecheck pinned Bond in the first period. However this time Bond changed the narrative. Coming into the championship unseeded, Bond defeated No. 2, No. 10, No. 6, and No. 5 wrestlers to become the national champion.

In an unheard of championship match, Kyle Kirkham of Southeastern battled No. 8 Frederic Padilla of Vanguard (Calif.). Padilla was the first Vanguard finalist in program history. After a tight battle Kirkham was victorious earning the second individual title for the Fire.

At 197, Isaac Bartel of Montana State-Northern finally got his title, beating Lindsey Wilson's Trevor Lawson 6-0. Bartel has placed third and second twice at nationals and so the first place title was even sweeter. He is one of four, four-time All-Americans this year from Lindsey Wilson.

Team scores were neck and neck all night making every point in finals count. Grand View lost its first finals bout of the night, when No. 1 seed Nolan Saxton of Reinhart defeated No. 3 seed Giovanni Bonilla of Grand View in a 15-4 major decision. Bonilla was hurt in semifinals, but did not let that stop him from competing in the championship match despite being in clear pain the entire time.

The team score remained the same until the final match of the night Life up by five leaving Grand View with more chance No. 2 seed Greg Hagan faced two-time NAIA champion, four-time All-American and No. 1 seed Brandon Reed of Lindsey Wilson. Reed emerged with a 6-3 victory. Sealing the deal for Life University.

Omi Acosta of Life University wins Coach of the Year.

Life University received wins Sportsmanship Award

Brandon Reed of Lindsey Wilson won Wrestler of the Year and Outstanding Wrestler  

Matt Gimson of Indiana Tech won Gorriaran award with 5 pins 14:39

Brandon Reed won the Gorriaran Award as well as the Hustle Award.

View full list of 2021 All-Americans here

View 2021 NAIA Men's National Championship Photos here