Two New England Natives Make DII Nationals

This year, there are only two New England–native wrestlers who qualified for the NCAA Division II National Tournament, which will take place March 13–14 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

157

No. 7 Brent Nicolosi (So.) – University of Mount Olive

Haverhill, MA – Haverhill

High School Accolades:

• MA All-State Champion (2024)

• CNESSPA New England Champion (2024)

• 3x CNESSPA New England Placer (3rd – 2022, 2nd – 2023, 1st – 2024)

College Accolades:

2025:

• 2nd, Super Region II (NQ)

2026:

• 1st, Super Region II (NQ)

Brent Nicolosi had a stellar freshman campaign, qualifying for the NCAA tournament at 165 pounds last season and finishing just shy of All-American honors. This year he moved down to 157 pounds and captured the Super Region II title. He is currently 8-1 on the season and 6-0 at the weight, holding the No. 9 ranking nationally. Nicolosi has a strong chance of finishing in the top eight and earning All-American honors at this year’s national tournament.

184

No. 18 Jack MacKiernan (Sr.) – University of Mount Olive

Derry, NH – Pinkerton Academy

High School Accolades:

• NH All-State Champion (2022)

• 2x CNESSPA New England Placer (6th – 2020, 3rd – 2022)

College Accolades:

2023:

• 3rd, Super Region I (NQ)

2024:

• 4th, Super Region I

2025:

• 4th, Super Region I

2026:

• 3rd, Super Region II (NQ)

MacKiernan transferred from American International College, where he qualified for the NCAA tournament his freshman season and placed fourth at Super Region I during both his sophomore and junior years.

Now at Mount Olive, he returned to the national tournament by placing third at the Super Region II tournament. MacKiernan currently holds a 21-7 record and is ranked No. 18 nationally heading into the NCAA championships.

All rankings are from The Open Mat.