ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The RIT wrestling team begins the 2025-26 season on Saturday (Nov. 1) at the Ned McGinley Invitational. Here are six things you need to know about the Tigers.
 
A Look Back at 2024-25
RIT was 6-6 in dual meets. The Tigers placed fifth at the SUNYAC Championships and third at the RIT Invitational and Ken Ober Memorial Invitational. RIT finished fourth at the NCAA Region 2 Championships and 19th at the NCAA Championships. Michael Glynn III, Josh Harkless, Jared Lee and Lee Rubin each qualified for the NCAA Div. III Championships. Harkless earned All-American honors with a third-place finish at 285 lb., and Glynn finished eighth at 149 lbs. to earn All-American honors. Glynn was a College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American.
 
The Return of the All American
Harkless returns for the 2025-26 season. Harkless recorded a 32-1 record last season, including an 11-0 record in dual matches. He finished third at the 2025 NCAA Championships earning All-American honors for the second time in his career. Harkless was the SUNYAC Co-Wrestler of the Year and a College Sports Communicators At-Large Academic All-District selection.
 
More Top Returners
Junior Tyler Balent posted a 23-16 record last season finishing second at the SUNYAC Championships. Lee recorded a 22-9 record last season and competed at the NCAA Championships after a third-place finish at the NCAA Regional Championships. Sophomore Jack Lamson posted a 20-13 record last season, finishing third at the Ned McGinley Invitational. Sophomore Max Watson was a two-time SUNYAC Rookie of the Week selection, posting a 17-7 record last season. Fifth year Zach Swyers, senior Gabe Scalise and junior Nick Smith were in the midst of strong seasons last year until injuries ended their season early.  All three are back along with senior Elon Martin and junior Isaiah Shafer who each return after spending last season on Co Op. 
 
The Newcomers
RIT welcomes 11 newcomers to the 2025-26 roster. Alex Brandt, Marcos Burgos, Evan de Jong, Zach Gerby, Konrad Haugeto, Brody Kontouris, Amari Payton, Marco Rivera, Jackson Rush, Matthew Velez and Logan Williamson add depth to the roster and will compete for time this season.
 
2025-26 Schedule
RIT began the season with the traditional Black and Orange Duals on October 18 as part of Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. The Tigers begin the regular season on November 1 at the Ned McGinley Invitational hosted by King's College.
 
RIT will host Brockport on November 7 and will compete at the Ohio Intercollegiate Open on Sunday (Nov. 9) and at Penn State Behrend Duals November 15. The Tigers compete at the New York State Intercollegiate Open on November 22 and finish the first semester by hosting the 59th RIT Invitational December 6.
 
The Tigers ring in 2026 hosting Oswego and Nassau Community College on January 3, followed by the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa January 9-10. RIT travels to Brockport for the SUNYAC Championships (Jan. 24) and will host St. John Fisher (Jan. 30). RIT will compete at the John Carroll Duals (Feb. 13) and the John Carroll Open the following day. The Tigers close out the regular season at St. John Fisher's Pellicano Invitational (Feb. 21).
 
NCAA Mideast Regional Championships will take place Feb. 28-March 1 at Ithaca College followed by the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa beginning March 13.