WICHITA, Kan. — Grand View University reinforced its dominance in NAIA men’s wrestling, securing its 13th national championship in the last 14 seasons at the 2025 NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championships. The Vikings won six individual national titles, tying the all-time record set in 1981 for most individual champions by a single team in one tournament.

Under the leadership of NAIA Men's Wrestling Coach of the Year Nick Mitchell, Grand View continued its historic run, outpacing the competition in both individual performances and team scoring. JD Perez of Life University, who completed an undefeated season at 29-0, was named NAIA Wrestler of the Year following his championship victory at 184 pounds. In addition to the individual awards, the top eight wrestlers in each of the ten weight classes garnered NAIA All-American Honors for the 2025 season.

Championship Finals Recap

125 pounds

Aden Reeves (Grand View) dec. Gabe Gonzales (Grand View), 4-3
Reeves, a third-place finisher last year, battled through a tight final against teammate Gonzales to claim his first NAIA title.

133 pounds

Thaddeus Long (Life) SV-1 over Dominic Chavez (Texas Wesleyan), 4-1
Long secured his championship in sudden victory, defeating top-seeded Chavez in an overtime thriller.

141 pounds

Carson Taylor (Grand View) maj. dec. Evan Potter (Southern Oregon), 10-0
Taylor dominated his way to a national title with a shutout victory in the final, earning his second consecutive NAIA crown.

149 pounds

Elijah Larsen (Grand View) maj. dec. Hagen Heistand (Concordia), 12-0
Larsen, the lowest-seeded wrestler to win a championship at this year’s event, completed a Cinderella run from the No. 8 seed to the title. The freshman from Wasilla, Alaska, controlled the final from start to finish.

157 pounds

David Rubio (Corban) maj. dec. Donald Griffin (Central Methodist), 11-1
Competing with torn PCL and LCL ligaments, Rubio capped off his senior season with a decisive victory and will undergo surgery next week.

165 pounds

Cam Robinson (Grand View) dec. Jonathan Kervin (Indiana Tech), 11-4
Robinson added to Grand View’s historic night with a strong showing in the finals, defeating the tournament’s top seed.

174 pounds

Alex Reynolds (Grand View) dec. Kris Ketchum (St. Thomas), 5-4
Reynolds repeated as NAIA national champion with a narrow one-point victory, solidifying himself as one of the division's best.

184 pounds

JD Perez (Life) dec. Tyson Beauperthuy (Doane), 15-9
Perez completed his undefeated senior campaign, overpowering Beauperthuy in the final to secure NAIA Wrestler of the Year honors.

197 pounds

Garavous Kouekabakilaho (Grand View) maj. dec. Khalil Abdushshakur (Life), 11-2
Kouekabakilaho, a two-time national champion, will look to become a three-time winner in 2026.

285 pounds

Gage Braun (Southeastern) maj. dec. Austin Foye (Central Methodist), 9-0
After a two-year hiatus, Braun returned to the national stage and reclaimed his title, adding to his 2022 championship victory.

Grand View's Historic Night

Grand View’s six individual champions matched the NAIA record set in 1981, underscoring the program’s sustained dominance. The Vikings produced eight All-Americans, with six standing atop the podium, further cementing their reputation as the premier program in NAIA wrestling.

With 13 national titles in 14 seasons, Grand View remains the undisputed dynasty in NAIA wrestling. Head coach Nick Mitchell, the architect of this sustained success, was named NAIA Coach of the Year following the conclusion of the tournament.

The 2025 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships showcased the depth of competition in the sport, with several thrilling matches and historic performances shaping an unforgettable tournament.

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS:

1. Grand View – National Champions
2. Life
3. Southeastern
4. Doane
5. Indiana Tech