Life Locks Down Men's Wrestling Championship

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Bolstered by six individual champions, Life came away as the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Wrestling champion on Saturday.

The two-day tournament was held on the campus of St. Thomas in Miami Gardens, Fla.

This is the Running Eagles' fourth consecutive AAC Tournament title.

Life registered 202 points to claim the crown, while Southeastern was a close second with 184 points. Keiser (133), Reinhardt (121.5), and Truett McConnell (62) round out the top five. Making up the rest of the field are Brewton-Parker (58), St. Thomas (53.5), Montreat (36.5), Pikeville (17), and WVU Tech (6).

Earning individual accolades are Aaron Lucio of Southeastern and Kendall Norfleet of Life as the Co-Athletes of the Year, Caden McCrary of Reinhardt as the Wrestler of the Tournament, Gage Cook of St. Thomas as the Newcomer of the Year, and Elivs Solis of Life as the Freshman of the Year. Tyler Smith of Brewton-Parker is the Coach of the Year, while Aaris Knight of Brewton-Parker is the Assistant Coach of the Year.

The individual champions are:

125 - Patrick Jones of Keiser

133 - Aaron Lucio of Southeastern

141 - Caden McCrary of Reinhardt

149 - Elvis Solis of Life

157 - Fabian Padilla of Life

165 - Alexander Couto of Life

174 - Reese Jones of Life

184 - Kendall Norfleet of Life

197 - Gio Jackson of Life

285 - Gage Cook of St. Thomas