Russell Qualifies for NAIA Wrestling National Championships

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (2/24/26) – Williams Baptist University wrestling freshman Matthew Russell earned an automatic qualifying bid to the NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championships on Saturday at the Sooner Athletic Conference Championships.

Russell earned the automatic bid after finishing in second place in the 184 lb. weight class at the SAC Championships in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday.

Russell is WBU's first NAIA National Qualifier since the 2021-22 season, when Williams sent five to the event.

The Cabot, Ark. native holds a 14-15 record so far in his freshman season.

The NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championship is scheduled to take place on March 5-7 at the Heartland Credit Union Arena in Wichita, Kan.  The seedings and preliminary brackets will be announced on NAIA.org on Friday, Feb. 27.