KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officially announced the qualifiers for the 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships on Tuesday evening, and according to the release, a pair of Montreat College freshmen will represent the Cavaliers in Park City, Kan., next week. Kane Bryson seized an at-large bid in the 125-lb weight class, while Boedi Kirkland did the same at 149.
 
For Bryson and Kirkland, these selections marked the first of their collegiate careers. Meanwhile, it also marked the second time in program history in which the Cavs sent a pair of wrestlers to the national championships.
 
A native of Canton, N.C., Bryson registered a 19-12 record in his debut season. The freshman placed fourth at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Wrestling Championships last week, and he currently stands as the NAIA's 23^rd-rated wrestler at 125.
 
Kirkland's freshman campaign featured 31 victories, the most in a single season in program history. Overall, the nation's No. 17-ranked wrestler at 149 owns a 31-10 record. Kirkland is coming off a sixth-place finish at the AAC Championships, where his only losses occurred due to injury.
 
For a complete list of 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships qualifiers, click here. The national seeding and preliminary brackets will be announced on Friday, Feb. 27 by 6 p.m.
 
Bryson and Kirkland will go head-to-head against the NAIA's best at the national championships, which are scheduled for March 5-7 at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, Kan.