PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov. 12, 2026) – The Colorado State University Pueblo wrestling team is set to officially begin its 2026-27 season on Friday, Nov. 13, as the ThunderWolves travel to Hays, Kan., to compete in the Fort Hays State Tri-Duals, where they will square off against three opponents to open the new campaign.
Under the direction of longtime head coach Dax Charles, who begins his 19th season at the helm, and the ThunderWolves will open Friday's competition against Sioux Falls (S.D.) at 1 p.m. (MT), before returning to the mat at 2:30 p.m. (MT) to battle Northeastern State (Okla.). CSU Pueblo will conclude its opening day against host Fort Hays State at 4 p.m. (MT).
The three-dual slate will provide an early opportunity for the Pack to evaluate its lineup and build momentum as it enters a new season with a combination of experienced returners, former NCAA national qualifiers and a promising group of newcomers.
CSU Pueblo enters the new campaign with several familiar faces returning to the lineup, including four wrestlers who finished among the top six at last season's NCAA Super Region VI Championships.
Among the most notable returners is junior Jacob Myers (Castle Rock, Colo.), who looks to build on a successful 2025-26 campaign that saw him qualify for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.
Myers finished last season with a 14-5 overall record and earned his national tournament berth after placing third at the Super Region VI Championships. At the national championships in Sioux Falls, S.D., Myers opened his tournament run with a 5-4 decision over West Liberty's James Armstrong Jr. before seeing his season conclude with a 1-2 record on the national stage.
Also returning is junior Eddie Bowman (Trinidad, Colo.), who enters the season as one of the Pack's most accomplished wrestlers. A 2024 NCAA Division II national qualifier, Bowman earned First Team All-RMAC honors following the 2025-26 campaign and was selected to the 2026-27 Preseason All-RMAC Team at 141 pounds.
Bowman's experience and postseason success will provide an important foundation for the ThunderWolves as they look to make another push toward the national championships.
The Pack also welcomes back sophomore Deacon Pickett (Las Vegas, Nev.) and sophomore Thales Rivas (Houston, Texas), who gained valuable collegiate experience during their freshman campaigns a season ago.
Pickett returns at 165 pounds, while Rivas is listed at 157 pounds. Both wrestlers will look to take another step forward after gaining experience against collegiate competition during their first seasons in Pueblo.
Additional returning experience comes from senior Solomon Arnds-Volcin (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Cole Bennett (Grapevine, Texas), and senior heavyweight Henry Sturn (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.).
Arnds-Volcin provides experience in the middle weights, while Sturn returns after contributing to the ThunderWolves' heavyweight lineup throughout last season.
With several veterans returning across the lineup, CSU Pueblo will look to capitalize on its experience while continuing to develop depth throughout all 10 weight classes.
New Faces Add Depth to ThunderWolves Lineup
Along with its returning talent, CSU Pueblo features a collection of new faces who will look to make an impact during the 2026-27 season.
Among the additions listed on the roster are Juan Alvarez (Gilbert, Ariz.), Giovanni Beatty (Arvada, Colo.), Jared De Leon (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Nickolas Fomin (New Caney, Texas) and Hayden Kenney (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
The Pack also features several newcomers with regional ties, including Elias Koonce (Penrose, Colo.), Zion Talia (Pueblo, Colo.) and Layne Warburton (Cheyenne, Wyo.), along with Brogan Monty (Beloit, Kan.) and Billy Weisgerber (Spokane, Wash.).
The newcomers will have an opportunity to learn from a veteran group while competing for spots in the lineup and providing additional depth as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead at the 2026-27 Schedule
Following Friday's season-opening competition in Hays, the ThunderWolves will continue their early-season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Younes Hospitality Open in Kearney, Neb.
CSU Pueblo will then travel to Indianapolis, Ind., for the prestigious Midwest Classic on Dec. 19-20 before returning to competition in January at the Western Colorado Open on Jan. 8 in Gunnison, Colo.
The ThunderWolves will officially open their 2027 home dual schedule on Thursday, Jan. 14, when they welcome Chadron State to Massari Arena for a 6 p.m. matchup.
CSU Pueblo will return home two weeks later on Thursday, Jan. 28, to battle Colorado Mesa at 6 p.m., before concluding its home dual schedule on Friday, Feb. 12, against Colorado School of Mines at 6 p.m.
All three home duals will take place inside Massari Arena.
The Pack will also face road conference duals against Adams State on Jan. 20, New Mexico Highlands on Jan. 22 and Western Colorado on Feb. 6, along with a nonconference road matchup against Central Oklahoma on Jan. 24.
The postseason begins Saturday, Feb. 27, with the NCAA Division II Super Region VI Championships in Kearney, Neb., where the ThunderWolves will look to secure qualifying spots for the national championships.
The 2027 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships are scheduled for March 12-13 at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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