Four UOlivet wrestlers named to All-MIAA team

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Four members of The University of Olivet wrestling team have been selected to the 2026 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Team. The honorees are freshman Trenden Bashore, juniors Mason Knight and Kyan Larson, and senior Gideon Loewen. All-MIAA honors were based on the student-athlete's performance in the four league dual matches.

This quartet of wrestlers helped the Comets capture the 2026 MIAA Championship – the 16th league title in school history. Olivet won all four duals: 31-11 over Trine University (Ind.), 39-12 over Alma College, 19-18 over Albion College and 34-12 over Adrian College.

At 133 pounds, Bashore posted a 4-0 record with three bonus-point wins. He pinned Colton Kennedy (Alma) in 3:49 and Oscar Gutierrez (Adrian) in 1:07, earned a 15-5 major decision over Ben Edwards (Trine), and edged Cade Odrobina (Albion), 3-2, in overtime.

"Trenden has been spectacular out the gate for us," said Olivet head coach Brandon Brissette. "He has been the first match in most duals because of injuries at 125. It's never fun to start off in a hole, but Trenden made sure that it never lasted long. Whether it was a 6-point fall or just his amazing energy in a win against a tougher opponent he made it, so our team was rolling in the right direction and that had huge impact for us all year. I am excited to see how much more he does for Olivet over the next three years."

At 165 pounds, Larson also finished 4-0, with two major decisios. He defeated Nolan Rowley (Albion), 9-1; Calob Heilman (Adrian), 15-2; and Ben Shaffer (Trine), 7-4. Larson's fourth victory came via forfeit against Alma.

"Kyan is another energy man who fights through every position," stated Brissette. "We always count in him to bring that level of effort and fight to every match. Then as he's progressed throughout the year, you see him becoming more proficient with his energy and technique. Now the bonus matches start to stack up, and we believe he is set up for a great run at the regionals."

At 197 pounds, Loewen went 3-0 with two falls. He pinned Julante Hinton (Trine) in 1:39 and Shan Swank (Adrian) in 6:29 and rallied to beat Garrett Iobe (Albion), 8-7.

"Deon is a mentality guy, and as a past starter, we've seen him put up big points on the best of them," commented Brissette. "This year, he has found a deeper confidence to pull from. So, in both the high-flying matches and in those that have gone the distance, he found the resilience to keep moving and find the last score. He is a great testament to belief through change and hard work, especially as one of just a couple of seniors on the team."

At 285 pounds, Knights recorded a 3-0 mark, earning three minor decision victories. He beat Cayden Bell (Alma), 8-1; Bode Brown (Albion), 3-1; and Scott Smith (Adrian), 5-2.

"Mason has been a man of consistency all year," said Brissette. "He always pushed those in front of him and is diligent in doing the little things like film, individual sessions, prehab and rehab. Because of this not only did he rise from a back up to a starter. Mason also has had our most nationally and regionally ranked wins this season. He currently stands as the highest regionally and nationally ranked starter on our team, despite a lack of luster high school career. We know he has more climbing to accomplish and are excited for this post season and into next year for Mason!"

The Comets will next compete at the 2026 NCAA Division III Region 5 Championships, Friday and Saturday, February 27-28m hosted by John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. The top three wrestlers in each of the 10 weight classes will advance to the 2026 NCAA Division III Championships March 13-14 at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.