SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team will return to the mat for one final time this weekend as the Crusaders will be well represented at the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championships that begin Friday from the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Crusaders are sending a school-record six student-athletes to the national championships with two returners and four who are making their national championship debut. Luke Kunath (141 pounds) and Kyler Pickard (184) are back for the second straight year with Elijah Carrington (133), Skyler Caban (174), Christian Arrington (174) and Caleb Moore (197) are all making their first appearances at nationals.

Kunath finished in eighth place and earned All-American status last season and will begin his competition against Colton Hush of Minnesota State-Mankato. He won the regional title in his weight class by defeating Lander's Elijah Lusk by sudden victory to earn his way back to the national championship. The winner of that bout faces No. 7 seed, Khyvon Grace of West Liberty.

Pickard is looking to get further at nationals this time around after going 1-2 in Indianapolis last season. He qualified for the championships again after earning a spot as the regional runner-up. He opens his championship run with a bout against the No. 3 national seed, Darion Johnson of McKendree.

Carrington is looking to cap off an outstanding freshman season with a strong run at nationals. He was the regional runner-up and was also named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year last month. He will open his championship against McKendree's Thaddeus Long, who is the No. 4 seed at 133.

Caban was the regional runner-up at 149 pounds for Belmont Abbey and was also an All-Conference Carolinas selection for his efforts this season. His opening match will be against Upper Iowa's Ethen Doty, with the winner facing No. 8 seed Kenny Kiser of Gannon.

Arrington finished in third place at regionals at 174 pounds after defeating UNC Pembroke's Nick Williams to earn a spot at nationals. He opens the tournament with a bout against No. 6 seed Emilio Arellano of Tiffin.

Moore was the regional champion at 197 pounds after going 4-0 during Super Regionals at the end of February. He was also a first-team All-Conference Carolinas selection this year. He will face Maryville's Jeremiah Larson in the opening round with the winner of that bout facing No. 7 seed Brayden Mirjavadi of Grand Valley State.

The preliminaries and first rounds begin at 11 a.m. Central time from Sioux Falls followed by the quarterfinals and consolations at 6 p.m. The event concludes with the semifinals at 11 a.m. and the finals at 8 p.m. Central time on Saturday.

The full championship brackets can be found here while the broadcast and tournament central can be found here and here.