GENEVA, Ohio – Just a few months after finishing on the podium at the EIWA Championships for the first time, Carson Wagner once again grabbed the attention of wrestling observers by finishing sixth in the freestyle tournament at the U23 Nationals Sunday at the SPIRE Academy, earning himself All-America honors in the process.
 
Wagner, who won all three of his matches in the 57 kg. bracket on Saturday while competing for the Bearcat Wrestling Club, came out victorious in another two bouts on Sunday. The Nazareth, Pa., native overcame a 4-2 loss in the quarterfinals to Mason Ziegler by picking up decisions over Hunter Taylor and Drew Davis. After he was pinned in the consolation semifinals by Brendan McCrone, Wagner was defeated in the fifth place match by Koda Holeman 8-6, ending the Bearcat wrestler's run in the tournament.
 
Wagner is coming off his strongest season yet at Binghamton. In his sophomore season in 2024-25, Wagner went 23-12 overall, including a 13-6 mark in dual competition. He also recorded a career-high five major decisions, three technical falls and his first collegiate pin. Wagner's season culminated with a third place finish at the EIWA Championships at 125 lbs., missing an automatic bid for the NCAA Wrestling Championships by one spot.
 
U23 Nationals Day Two Results
Carson Wagner
57 kg Quarterfinals | Mason Ziegler def. Carson Wagner DEC 4-2
57 kg Cons. Round 8 | Carson Wagner def. Hunter Taylor DEC 4-1
57 kg Cons. Round 9 | Carson Wagner def. Drew Davis DEC 9-7
57 kg Cons. Semifinals | Brendan McCrone def. Carson Wagner FALL 0:31
57 kg 5th Place | Koda Holeman def. Carson Wagner DEC 8-6
 
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