Upstate New York Chapter September 2026 awards and induction banquet recap

The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame held its annual banquet & induction ceremony on September 27 at the Doubletree Inn in Syracuse.

Seven upstate New York region individuals were honored with Wayne Bleau, Dave Grazul, Mark Gumble, Elaine Krum, Gene Nighman, and Howard Weller receiving the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award and Lt. Col (ret.) Todd Messitt being recognized as an Outstanding American.

Brisco Moves Into Advisory Role, Layfield Named President of Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum's George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that Gerry Brisco is stepping down as president of its board of directors and moving into an advisory role. John Bradshaw Layfield will replace Brisco as president, effective immediately. 

Brisco, who has served as president since the Hall of Fame's inception in 1999, guided the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame through its growth and development and helped establish it as one of the most respected professional wrestling halls of fame. 

Women’s College Notebook: Returning Champions and Talented Newcomers

Taylor Lafever of USA Wrestling looks at the abundance of talent in women's college wrestling, including National Wrestling Hall of Fame Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award winners Juliana Diaz, Claire DiCugno, Piper Fowler, Caley Graber, Audrey Jimenez, Tristan Kelly, Everest Leydecker, Xochitl Mota-Pettis and Taylor Whiting.

As many as nine different women have the opportunity to win consecutive individual titles entering 2026-27, and because of the continued growth of women's wrestling, talented newcomers are also arriving on the scene.

2026 Galaxy U23 World Championships Feature College Stars

The 2026 Galaxy U23 World Championships are currently underway in Las Vegas, and men’s freestyle action takes place October 16-18.

The U.S. squad is loaded as it looks to repeat as team champions, and college wrestling fans will recognize a lot of names, including National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winners Jayden James and Aeoden Sinclair.

2026 Downstate New York NWHOF Inductees

Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Class of 2026

John Laurenzi, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Michael A. Ondich, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Bill Patton, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Gary Pesko, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Ben Resnick, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Carol Roseto, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Dave Smith, Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Elliott Tepper, Outstanding American

Women’s College Notebook: Setting the Stage for the 2026-27 Season

Tanner Lafever of USA Wrestling takes a look back at the 2025-26 women's college wrestling season to set the stage for the upcoming year.

ESPN, FloSports Will Deliver Every National Duals Invitational Match Live

he National Duals Invitational, a groundbreaking $1 million collegiate wrestling event sponsored by Paycom, has announced that its championship match will air on ESPN on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. CST from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The nationally televised final will follow 27 duals streamed live on FloWrestling, ensuring wrestling fans nationwide have complete access to the high-stakes tournament on Dec. 12 and 13.

2026 Oregon - NWHOF Inducts 8

The Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted eight members in its Class of 2026.

Jeff Corliss, Tammy Johnson, Walt Markee, Kacey McNulty, Jeremy Rhoades, Dan Russell, Joe Russell and Jeff Zerba are all recipients of the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.