KENOSHA, Wis. — North Central secured its fourth consecutive tournament championship on Saturday, finishing first at the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Wrestling Championship inside Tarble Arena at Carthage. The Cardinals totaled 158.0 points to finish ahead of Millikin (119.5) and Aurora (90.5).
 
The title marked the 12th tournament championship in program history for North Central, adding to a 2025-26 season that included the program’s fifth straight CCIW dual title and an ongoing 64-dual conference winning streak.
 
North Central’s Chip Guzman earned CCIW Student-Athlete of the Year honors after claiming the 125-pound title with a 17-2 technical fall. Ethan Spacht captured the 133-pound championship with a fall, while Edgar Albino delivered the host’s individual title at 141 pounds with a 10-8 decision.
 
Additional champions included MSOE’s Alex Morales at 149 pounds and Elmhurst’s Rhenzo Augusto at 157. Millikin produced champions at 165 (Joey Jens, 8-1 decision), 197 (Mateo Casillas, CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year) and 285 (Leno Campbell). 
 
Toren Vandenbush of MSOE – the tournament’s Elite 26 Award winner – won the 174-pound title in sudden victory, and Casey Aikman added a championship for North Central at 184 pounds.
 
North Central was also recognized as Coaching Staff of the Year. The conference presented RESPECT Awards to 10 individuals: Max Schmitt (Carthage), Antione Gilford (Augustana), Clayton McKee (Aurora), Noah Henderson (Concordia Wisconsin), Mike Milovich (Elmhurst), Eli Moore (Illinois Wesleyan), Charlie Armstrong (Millikin), Alexander Ramirez (MSOE), Giovanni Diaz (North Central), and Caleb Cox (Wheaton). 
 
Team standings were rounded out by MSOE in fourth (81.5), Elmhurst (80.0), Carthage (76.5), Augustana (63.5), Illinois Wesleyan (43.5), Wheaton (43.0) and Concordia Wisconsin (22.0).