Story Courtesy of Messiah Athletics
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Keegan Demarest earned All-American honors after a third-place finish at the 2026 NCAA DIII Men's Wrestling National Championships. Demarest collected a record of 5-1 over the two-day tournament to earn the honors.
Day One Action
Keegan Demarest opened his weekend with a 16-1 technical fall in 4:19 over Henry Forte of Williams in Session One. Demarest jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first period with a takedown and four count nearfall. He added an early takedown in the second before a second takedown and three nearfall points secured the 16-1 technical fall. In his quarterfinal bout, Demarest was notched 0-0 with Tanner Gerber of Wisconsin – La Crosse after two periods. Gerber opened the third period with a reversal before Demarest earned a quick escape to face a 2-1 deficit. Gerber tallied a takedown and riding time point to earn the 6-1 decision and send Demarest to the consolations. In his first consolation match, Demarest jumped to a 9-2 lead after the first period against Roanoke's Cade Parent. He extended his lead to 12-3 in the second before a takedown and riding time point in the third gave him a 16-4 major decision to advance to Day Two.
Day Two Action
Keegan Demarest opened Day Two with a 7-5 decision over Coe's Bo Koedam. He led 3-1 after two periods and added a takedown early in the third. An escape and takedown for Koedam gave Demarest a 6-5 lead and a riding time point solidified the win. Demarest then faced the top-seeded Clayton McDonough of Luther. He took a 11-2 lead after two periods and a takedown and riding time point in the third gave him a 15-3 major decision. In the third-place bout, Demarest was scoreless with Brayden Peet of Wisconsin- Whitewater after two periods. He secured a takedown early in the third. An escape and riding time point for Peet were not enough as Demarest claimed third with a 3-2 decision. His third-place finish gives him All-American honors for the first time in his career, capping off a strong sophomore campaign.