Story By: Sarah Turner

The University of Montevallo wrestling program is headed back to the national stage in a big way.

After a strong showing at the NCAA Super Region II Championships, the Falcons will send three athletes to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, marking the most national qualifiers in the program’s brief history.

Just a year ago, Montevallo advanced two wrestlers to the national meet. In the program’s inaugural season, the Falcons sent only one, but that lone representative, Gabe Hixenbaugh, made history by capturing the national title at 133 pounds. 

Now in just their third season of existence, the Falcons continue to build on that foundation, finishing fourth overall at Super Region II with eight placers across eight different weight classes.

Leading the charge was junior Cole Hunt, who captured the Super Region II individual title at 125 pounds. The Georgia native has been dominant all season, compiling a 28-2 overall record and an unblemished 12-0 mark in duals competition, one of the strongest campaigns the program has seen since its inception. 

Since December, Hunt has been ranked No. 7 nationally at 125 pounds by the National Wrestling Coaches Association and enters the national tournament with serious momentum.

Carson Freeman punched his ticket to nationals for the first time after earning a third-place finish at 157 pounds. The Shelby County native holds a 19-8 overall record, including a 10-2 duals mark. A junior and one of the program’s original members, Freeman’s qualification marks a milestone moment in his collegiate career.

Rounding out the qualifiers is Jake Chisholm at 165 pounds, who will compete at his second consecutive national championship. The Oxford, Alabama native was ranked No. 10 nationally by the NWCA entering the season. After going winless at the 2025 national championships, Chisholm returns with something to prove. He posted an 8-5 regular season record, including a 5-3 mark in duals, and will look to make a deeper run this time around.

Montevallo’s depth was also on display at the regional tournament. Graduate student Max Stedeford (149) and senior Jeffery Tubbs (184) both secured fourth-place finishes in their respective weight classes, closing out their collegiate careers on strong notes. Junior Aiden Knight (174), sophomores Kaden Brown (141) and Willie Cox (285) each added fifth-place finishes to round out the Falcon scoring effort.

The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships will take place March 13-14 in Sioux Falls, S.D., where the Falcons will attempt to continue their rapid rise and make more history on the national stage.