WICHITA, Kan. - Three members of the William Woods Men's Wrestling team competed at the 2026 NAIA championship over the past few days. Braden Werdehausen, Xander Sederburg, and Austen Wetzel each earned their place at the final tournament, with Wetzel's performance awarding him the coveted honor of NAIA All-American.

Werdehausen represented William Woods in the 133-pound weight class. Although his time in Wichita was short lived, the sophomore compiled an impressive season to be built on in the upcoming years.

Sederburg wrestled for the Owls in the 165-pound bracket. After falling in his opening contest, the senior chose to leave everything on those mats, winning a grueling bout by decision, 15-12. Sederburg advanced twice more, his last win coming by the pinning of his opponent 38 seconds into the second round. While he was eliminated just before a placement match, Sederburg has everything to be proud of in his final performance in green and white. 

Wetzel battled his way through the 184-pound class. The junior from Columbia was hot from the start, pinning his initial opponent at the 5:55 mark and outlasting his second in an 8-5 win by decision. Wetzel would then be bested by decision himself before picking up another win in the tournament, yet again going the entire three and claiming victory by major decision, 12-2. Long, exhausting matches would continue to be the theme for the grappler, being knocked out by decision in his next match. However, the work Wetzel did early in the tournament paid off, securing his place as an All-American before his final bout. Nonetheless, the junior was given one last opportunity on the mats, wrestling for 7th place. After the dust of three rounds settled, Wetzel was victorious, winning by decision, 8-2. The 7th place finish in the national championship officially bestowed the All-American honor on the WWU grappler.