EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team wrapped up the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Region VII tournament on Saturday. As UW-Eau Claire placed third overall amongst the 16 competing teams, four Blugolds punched their ticket to National Championship after placing in the top three of their respective divisions.

Izzy Balsiger was the lone regional champion for UWEC going 2-0 on the day and taking first in the 125 division. Balsiger started his day in the semifinals with a 12-5 decision win over Carthage's Chris Kish to advance to the finals. In the regional final, Izzy gained an early 3-0 lead in the first period with a takedown at 1:22. After leading 3-1 in the first, Balsiger gained one point in the middle frame with an escape. The final period saw Kish take a 5-4 lead just over a minute intt it. Balsiger answered with an escape and a takedown in the final seconds to be crowned champion. 

Wyatt Unser continued his stellar rookie season by punching his ticket to the big dance. In the semifinals, Unser fell to the eventual regional champ, Chance Suddeth of Augsburg. The consolation semifinals saw Wyatt defeat Concordia-Moorhead's Kie Anderson with a 18-1 tech fall in 6:56. The third place match of the 133 weight class saw Unser face off with WIAC foe, Wyatt Magolski of UW-La Crosse. Wyatt found a 3-0 after the first period with an opening takedown and extended his lead in the second with a second takedown and an escape. Unser finished his third place victory with a reversal and a riding time point in the third, beating Magolski by 10-3 decision. 

Ian Pepple will return to the national stage after placing third in the 197 regional bracket. A 9-0 major decision defeat in the semis to UW-La Crosse's Tyler Dormanen, found Pepple in the consolation semifinals. In the wrestle back, Pepple defeated UW-Stevens Point's Logan Neitzel with a pin in 3:25 to earn a shot at third place. In the match to go nationals, Ian took a 3-0 lead in the first period with his first takedown with 1:09 remaining. Pepple added two takedowns and an escape in the second to gain a 10-2 lead. In the third and final period, Ian tallied two takedowns, a nearfall, and a riding time point to clinch the 20-4 tech fall victory and a spot at the national championship site.

The fourth and final Blugold advancing to nationals was Sloan Welch as he won his opening semifinal match over UW-La Crosse's Markos Mihalopoulos by a close 5-3 decision victory. During the 285 finals, Welch fought hard against Augsburg's Tyler Raway. The opening frame saw Welch fall behind 1-3 with one esacpe. Welch doubled his efforts in the second with two more escapes, but suffered a takedown and a 6-3 deficit. The final period saw each competitor trade points as Welch was defeated by a 7-4 decision. 

Preston Carlisle placed fifth overall on the weekend and was awarded the Most Pins Award after capturing four pinfalls on the weekend. 

The four Blugolds advancing to the final site will gear up for a trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the national championship at the Alliant Energy Power House on Friday and Saturday, March 13-14. MAtchups, brackets, and start times will be released in the week to come on ncaa.com.

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