Brackets released for Big 12 Championships in Tulsa

Thursday, March 19

TBD

University of Northern Colorado

NCAA

UNC Athletics

3/2/2026 12:24:00 PM | Wrestling

Tournament Information

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – The Big 12 Conference has announced the brackets for the 2026 Big 12 Wrestling Championships presented by Allstate, with UNC Wrestling now set for their opening-round match ups at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

The two-day championship will be contested Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, with all sessions streaming live on ESPN+. Friday's Session one and two are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT, respectively, while Saturday's competition begins at 11 a.m. MT ahead of the championship finals at 6 p.m. MT.

Northern Colorado opens the tournament at 125 pounds where Bryson Valdez (2-13) will take on third-seeded Jett Strickenberger of Oklahoma State (14-5). At 133 pounds, fourth-seeded Dominick Serrano (15-1) earned a first-round bye and will await his quarterfinal opponent. Joel Aguilar-Guerrero (5-5) is slated to face sixth-seeded Tyler Wells of Oklahoma (13-7) at 141 pounds, while at 149 pounds KJ Evans (10-9) will square off against second-seeded Jacob Frost of Iowa State (13-5).

The Bears will continue action at 157 pounds with Daishun Powe (11-13) meeting third-seeded Vinny Zerban of Iowa State (14-3). At 165 pounds, Kilian Schultz (8-10) draws top-seeded LaDarion Lockett of Oklahoma State (13-1). Murphy Menke (10-8) is matched up with fourth-seeded MJ Gaitan of Iowa State (11-5) at 174 pounds, and at 184 pounds Mahonri Rushton (14-12) will face fifth-seeded Nick Fox of Northern Iowa (0-2).

Rounding out the lineup, Tyler Perry (5-15) will compete against fourth-seeded Bennett Berge of South Dakota State (0-0) at 197 pounds, while heavyweight Enzo Cappabianca (0-19) takes on second-seeded Konner Doucet of Oklahoma State (14-2).

The Bears will look to make a strong push through the bracket as they compete for podium finishes and NCAA Championship qualification spots this weekend in Tulsa.

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS:
125 lbs: Bryson Valdez (2-13) vs. (3) Jett Strickenberger (Oklahoma State, 14-5)
133 lbs: Dominick Serrano (15-1) – first-round bye
141 lbs: Joel Aguilar-Guerrero (5-5) vs. (6) Tyler Wells (Oklahoma, 13-7)
149 lbs: KJ Evans (10-9) vs. (2) Jacob Frost (Iowa State, 13-5)
157 lbs: Daishun Powe (11-13) vs. (3) Vinny Zerban (Iowa State, 14-3)
165 lbs: Kilian Schultz (8-10) vs. (1) LaDarion Lockett (Oklahoma State, 13-1)
174 lbs: Murphy Menke (10-8) vs. (4) MJ Gaitan (Iowa State, 11-5)
184 lbs: Mahonri Rushton (14-12) vs. (5) Nick Fox (Northern Iowa, 0-2)
197 lbs: Tyler Perry (5-15) vs. (4) Bennett Berge (South Dakota State, 0-0)
285 lbs: Enzo Cappabianca (0-19) vs. (2) Konner Doucet (Oklahoma State, 14-2)

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, March 6
Session 1: Preliminary & Quarterfinal Matches — 10:00 a.m. CT
Session 2: Semifinal & Consolation Quarterfinal Matches — 5:00 p.m. CT

Saturday, March 7
Session 3: Consolation Semifinals— 12:00 p.m. CT
Session 4: Finals — 7 p.m. CT
*Doors open one hour before each session

TAKEDOWN CLUB: The Takedown Club plays a vital role in the success of UNC Wrestling. Your support helps invest in the latest training and performance technology and supports championship-level travel opportunities. These investments directly support our student-athletes as they prepare to compete on the biggest stage at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships.

Give to the Takedown Club today!

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