DALLAS, Texas — Three wrestling programs that utilized the National Collegiate Wrestling Association's Transition Program have successfully reached full NCAA Division II membership, marking another significant success for the NCWA's role in supporting collegiate wrestling programs moving between national governing organizations. The University of Jamestown and Point Park University became full NCAA Division II members effective September 1, 2026, while Menlo College received full active Division II membership effective September 11 following a successful appeal to the NCAA. All three institutions are now eligible for NCAA Division II postseason competition.
The NCWA Transition Program was established to provide postseason opportunities for established wrestling programs whose institutions are changing competitive divisions and are temporarily ineligible for postseason competition within their new governing organization. Under NCWA rules, transition programs may compete in NCWA Conference Championships and advance qualifiers to the NCWA National Championships during that transition period. The arrangement allows student-athletes to continue competing for conference and national honors while their universities complete the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA membership process.
Menlo College provided perhaps the most dramatic example of what that opportunity can produce. The Oaks won the NCWA Men's National Championship in both 2025 and 2026 while transitioning to NCAA Division II. Menlo's NCAA-transition team crowned three individual national champions and produced 10 All-Americans in 2025, then followed with six national champions and nine All-Americans in 2026. Over those two NCWA championship seasons, Menlo accumulated two team national championships, nine individual national titles and 19 All-American honors.Menlo scored 235.5 points to win the 2026 championship after scoring 214.5 in its 2025 title run.
The University of Jamestown also made an immediate impact during its NCAA transition. The Jimmies captured the 2026 NCWA Northwest Conference Championship behind seven individual champions before finishing an impressive sixth nationally at the NCWA National Championships. Four Jamestown wrestlers earned All-American honors: Isaac Ronquillo (125) and Elijah Nose (133) each finished third, Rocker Aguilar (165) placed sixth, and Colton Schaad (174) finished eighth. Jamestown completed the NCAA's expedited provisional membership process and is now a full member of NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Point Park University likewise used the NCWA postseason during its transition into NCAA Division II. Four Pioneers qualified for the 2026 NCWA National Championships, and freshman Liam Hein became the first Point Park men's wrestler to earn NCWA All-American honors, finishing eighth at 149 pounds. Point Park completed its NCAA provisional process a year ahead of schedule after receiving a waiver from the NCAA and became a full Division II member on September 1. The Pioneers now compete as members of the Mountain East Conference.
"This is exactly why the NCWA created the Transition Program," said NCWA Executive Director Jim Giunta. "When a university makes the decision to move its athletic program into another collegiate division, its wrestlers should not have to sacrifice meaningful postseason opportunities while that process is being completed. Menlo, Jamestown and Point Park were able to compete for conference championships, All-American honors and national championships during their transition, and now all three programs have successfully moved forward into NCAA Division II. We congratulate the athletes, coaches and university administrators who made that possible."
The success of these programs continues a long NCWA tradition of serving as a bridge for developing and transitioning collegiate wrestling teams. Programs such as Bellarmine and Queens previously competed in the NCWA postseason while completing NCAA transitions, and the current NCWA rules continue to specifically recognize transition programs. Menlo, Jamestown and Point Park now add another chapter to that history—demonstrating that participation in the NCWA can provide student-athletes with a competitive national championship experience while their institutions prepare for the next stage of collegiate athletics.
