Huskies Wrestling Picked to Finish 3rd in NSIC Preseason Poll, Jesuroga Named Wrestler to Watch

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - St. Cloud State Wrestling was picked to finish third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) preseason coaches' poll by the league office Thursday morning. Reigning National Championship runner-up 5th-year 157-pounder Joel Jesuroga was named the wrestler to watch for the Huskies.

Head Coach Steve Costanzo enters his 21st season with St. Cloud State ahead of the 2026-27 season. Costanzo and the Huskies are coming off a stellar season where the team produced a 17-2 record and a perfect 10-0 NSIC record, bringing home their third consecutive conference title, and their 19th overall in program history. A 39-7 victory over Findlay on November 21, 2025, would mark the 350th career win for Costanzo while a 21-14 win over Augustana on January 31, 2026, would be his 300th at St. Cloud State. The Huskies would place fifth at the NWCA National Duals Championships. At Super Region V, their streak of nine consecutive titles ended as they finished as the Runner-Up. Despite the second-place finish, seven Huskies qualified for the NCAA Tournament as the team was ranked No. 5 heading into the National Tournament. Five Huskies tallied All-American honors with National Runner-Up Joel Jesuroga leading the way as the team finished sixth. Bryce Dagel (3rd-174), Zach Glazier (3rd-285), Dominic Ducato (4th-133), and Cole Glazier (7th-184) would also place.

"I'm excited about the people in our room." said Costanzo, "We have a group of wrestlers who are talented, hardworking, and genuinely invested in each other's success. The culture they've created, their daily commitment to improvement, and their belief in what we can accomplish together makes me excited to come to work every day. I believe this team has the character and potential to do something special."

Joel Jesuroga enters his third season with the Huskies after a season where he tallied his second consecutive National Runner-Up finish, a 24-1 record, 10 bonus points, seven major decisions, and three tech falls. He was ranked as the number two wrestler in the 157-pound weight class the entire year last season by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Jesuroga also won his second consecutive Super Region V title, was named 2nd-Team All-American, First Team All-NSIC, and NSIC Wrestler of the Week.

"Joel is a person of high character and acts with integrity, honesty, respect, and compassion." said Costanzo, "He takes responsibility for his actions and treats others with the highest respect. His work-ethic is consistent and contagious. He is loyal to his coaches, teammates, program and university. He is a force to be reconned with in and out of the wrestling community."

St. Cloud State returns just one of their five All-Americans and two other wrestlers who competed in the Super Region V Championships last season, Rowdy Neighbor (149) and Jayce Luna (141). Neighbor went 18-5 last season, tallying 13 bonus points, with two major decisions, eight tech falls, and three pins. Luna had an 11-8 record, tallying eight bonus points wins with three major decisions, four tech falls, and one pin.

Other key returners for St. Cloud State include Vance Barz, Brody Hart, and Ethan Bast. The three individuals competed in key duals matches during the Huskies conference season last year. Barz tallied a 7-7 record wrestling at 149, coming away with five bonus point wins with two major decisions and three pins, while also placing second at the Yellowjacket Open and fifth at the Dragon Open. Bast produced a 15-4 record wrestling at 133, totaling eight bonus point wins with two major decisions, three tech falls, and three falls. Bast also made his dual debut against Maryville at the NWCA National Duals where he beat Yashua Amen 15-0. Bast also took first at the Luther College Open and the Dragon Open, while also placing third at the Yellowjacket Open. Hart produced an 11-5 record wrestling at 174, tallying 10 bonus point wins with three major decisions, one tech fall, and six pins, while also making his dual debut against Jamestown where he pinned Colton Schaad.

The Huskies have 22 new incoming athletes joining the team this season. Aidan Gruenenfelder, Carson Martinson, Ira Jenkins, Luke Hoag, Navarro Nanpuya, and Richard Murillo all transferred into St. Cloud State this year with high level collegiate experience. Gruenenfelder comes in from Loras College after qualifying for the NCAA Division III National Championship a season ago. Martinson also qualified for the DIII National Championship last season with Wartburg College. Jenkins comes in as the reigning 2026 NJCAA National Runner-Up. Hoag comes in after one season with Division I North Dakota State and Nanpuya was the 2026 NAIA National Champion, Most Outstanding Wrestler, as well as the 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestler of the Year. Murillio was ranked as highly as 28th nationally and started for California Baptist University at the Big 12 Championships.

NSIC Preseason Poll

UW-Parkside

Minnesota State-Mankato

St. Cloud State

Augustana

UMary

Northern State

Minnesota State-Moorhead

University of Sioux Falls

Minot State

SMSU

Jamestown

The Huskies will kick off their season next Thursday, October 29th with the annual Black and Red Classic at Halenbeck Hall at 7:00 p.m. CT. They'll then compete in the All-Star Showcase and the Yellowjacket Open on Saturday, November 7th.

For all the latest on St. Cloud State Wrestling, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.