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JWU Wins First-Ever NCAA National Wrestling Championship
On March 14-15, Johnson & Wales took center stage in college wrestling, hosting the NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championship at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. For the first time in over 30 years, the tournament returned to New England, and JWU made history tying Wartburg College for the national title.
The Wildcats delivered a powerhouse performance, with seven wrestlers qualifying for the tournament and two — Joziah Fry ’25 and Hayden Brown ’25 — winning individual national championships in their weight classes. Four wrestlers earned All-American honors — Joziah, Hayden, Dylan Harr ’25 and Adolfo Betancur ’26 — cementing JWU’s place among the nation’s elite programs.
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JWU’s Wrestling Dream Team
For the student-athletes, the championship was more than just a competition; it was the culmination of years of dedication and resilience. Head Coach Lonnie Morris, who has led JWU Wrestling for nearly three decades, emphasized preparation and mindset. “This is a game, and if you prepare the right way and you live the right lifestyle, the process will take care of the outcome. Regardless of the outcome, the sun will rise tomorrow but just know that winning feels so much better,” said Morris. And win, they did.
Listen to Coach Morris discuss the tournament on the This Week at JWU podcast.
Morris, along with fellow coaches Brian Allen, James Gilbert, Steven Keith, Da’mani Burns and other alumni volunteer coaches, lead the team of more than 40 wrestlers. For the tournament, the coaches and the team were present to cheer on the JWU wrestlers who qualified: Joziah Fry '25, Hayden Brown '25, Dylan Harr '25, Adolfo Betancur '26, Jake Eckerle '26, Jack Richardson '27 and Peyton Ellis '28.
The team’s bond and commitment to each other were evident. “We have the best coaches in the country," said Hayden Brown. “They allow us to come in and express our love for wrestling every single day.”
“From the moment I visited JWU and met Coach Morris, I knew I wanted to be here,” Jack Eckerle shared. “I knew they had everything I needed to reach the highest level. Coach Morris is the best coach I’ve ever had; he cares more about you as a person than a wrestler. He wants what’s best for you on the mat just as much as he does off the mat. I’d go through a brick wall for that guy and then some because I know he would do the same for me.”
Along with a great coach, Jack also shared that the key to success for him and the team has been consistency with workouts, practices, meals and pre-match routines. All this preparation and dedication got the team ready to compete at the highest level and win the championship.
For Joziah Fry, a Rhode Island native, winning in his home state was particularly memorable. “All my JWU peers were there watching me, and it was really something special,” Joziah said. “I had all my elementary school, middle school and high school coaches and all my family cheering me on; they just kept motivating me to get the job done. It's honestly amazing to end my collegiate career here in front of all my family and friends. It was like a fairy tale happy ending.”
SEEM Students Behind the Scenes
While the wrestlers battled on the mats, JWU’s Sports, Entertainment, and Event — Management (SEEM) students played a crucial role behind the scenes. Led by Professor William Klika, they managed media operations, conducted interviews with champions and assisted camera operators with instant replays.
Kyle Marcinko ’25, Olivia Monte ’26, Zofia Bangs ’26 and Brynn Leahy ’27 used the interview experience to learn more about press conferences and sports media for their New Media Literacy course with Professor Klika.
The students also learned a lot from working with the camera operators to generate instant replays, running an information table on the floor of the venue and assisting in any other tasks that were needed throughout the two-day event.
The experience deepened Kyle’s understanding of sports broadcasting and the importance of camera operation in athletics. “If the opposing teams' coaches wanted to challenge a takedown or a point scored, they would throw their challenge brick out. Our job was to set up the cameras in a way that the head official could review what happened and give an ultimate call,” Kyle said.
Brynn gained hands-on experience in event operations in an entirely new way. “People don't realize how much goes on behind the scenes for such a big event like this. It was really cool to volunteer and be able to be near the mats,” she shared.
As an intern with the JWU Special Events team, SEEM major Leah Paolillo ’26 also had the opportunity to explore her passion for live events by working directly with the NCAA to coordinate the setup of mats, manage the event volunteers and handle the trophies for all winners. In the months leading up to the event, Leah assisted with social media and event promotions, including the pep rally JWU held before the tournament.
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“This internship has taught me so much about all types of events and has given me a glimpse of what the industry is like,” Leah said. “Working with Kathy Kavanagh, JWU’s director of special events, has taught me how truly important it is to build good relationships with everyone. I've learned a whole new skill set, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.”
A Successful Finish to a Historic Tournament
For the athletes, coaches, SEEM students and the entire JWU community, the NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championship offered the chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Beyond the victories on the mat, this event was a defining moment for JWU. It wasn’t just about wins and titles — it was about legacy, dedication and proving that JWU belongs on the national stage. For the athletes, it was the culmination of a season of hard work and, for some, the final chapter of their college wrestling careers. For SEEM students, it was a hands-on opportunity to contribute to a historic event. And for the university, it was a proud milestone that will be remembered for years to come.
As JWU Wrestling builds on this success, the championship’s impact will continue to be felt — strengthening the program’s recruiting power and the university’s status in collegiate athletics.
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