McCrary’s Title, Four Automatic Berths Lead Reinhardt at AAC Championships!
Miami Gardens, Fla. - Reinhardt University Wrestling turned in a strong postseason showing at the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Feb. 20-21, highlighted by a conference title and Outstanding Wrestler honor for 141-pounder Caden McCrary and four automatic qualifiers to the NAIA national championships.
McCrary delivered the Eagles' marquee performance of the weekend, capturing the 141-pound crown and being named AAC Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. The standout closed his title run with a statement victory in the finals, where he defeated the NAIA's No. 1-ranked wrestler at the weight. The win secured McCrary an automatic berth to the NAIA national tournament and punctuated a dominant effort that helped set the tone for Reinhardt's postseason push.
Reinhardt added three more automatic national qualifiers out of the conference meet. At 133 pounds, Lee Camp advanced to the championship match and finished as runner-up, earning an automatic spot at nationals with his second-place performance. At 149, Garrett Pace battled back to place third and claim another automatic qualifying berth for the Eagles. In the upper weights, 174-pounder Nate Bukovich secured fifth place and, with it, an automatic ticket to the NAIA national championships as well.
Several other Eagles positioned themselves for potential postseason extension while awaiting at-large decisions. At 133, Zac Bosken joined Camp on the podium with a third-place finish and was listed as awaiting at-large selection to the NAIA national meet. At 157, Joabe Araujo also placed third and entered the at-large pool after a solid run through his bracket. Heavyweight Caleb Pruitt (285) and 165-pounder Hayden Santora both finished sixth and were likewise tabbed as waiting on possible at-large invitations.
Reinhardt's depth across the lineup was evident in additional placewinners throughout the tournament. At 125 pounds, Colton Bishop reached the podium with a sixth-place finish. Santora's sixth at 165 and Pruitt's showing at 285 added to the Eagles' overall presence in the placement rounds, reinforcing the program's balance from the lightweights through heavyweight.
With McCrary's conference title and Outstanding Wrestler honor leading the way, and four Eagles already locked into NAIA nationals, Reinhardt exits the AAC Championships with significant momentum. The program now turns its attention to the release of at-large selections on Wednesday this week, as Bosken, Araujo, Santora, and Pruitt await word on whether their seasons will continue on the national stage.
Congratulations to all the Eagles who completed this weekend in Florida and good luck to all those continuing. More info to come on the wrestlers heading to the 69th Annual Men's Wrestling National Championship held in Witchita, Kansas on March 5th-7th at Hearland Credit Union Arena.