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United Ascent
Vol. 1, No. 6 · Monday, August 24, 2026
The people, performances and progress driving North Carolina wrestling forward.
View every United Ascent issueField Reveal
The NC Mat Unveils the First Tournament of Champions Athletes
The NC Mat began its official Tournament of Champions athlete reveals this week with the 117, 125 and 133-pound fields—and the first three weights offer an early look at the depth coming to Apex.
Across the first 25 athletes announced, the field includes 13 state champions, 23 state placers and two All-Americans.
117 pounds
Carson Raper, Jaxon Thomas, Liam Myles, Xavier Benthall, Matthew Akins, Alexander Moody, Tommy Kishpaugh and Kristopher Kerr Jr.
125 pounds
Jekai Sedgwick, Mason Brown, Luke Richards, Aiden Burkholder, Adam Walker, Daniel McDermott, Paxton Kearns and Devin Hord.
133 pounds
Mac Johnson, Ayden Sumners, Holt Quincy, Aidan Szewczyk, Stephen Cross, Abdul-Jamil Zaggout, Cooper Mathon, Ashton Tennessee and Caleb Edwards.
The NC Mat will continue revealing the field weight by weight as we build toward September 18–19.
Tickets
Tournament of Champions Tickets Go on Sale Friday
Public ticket sales for the Tournament of Champions open Friday, August 28 at 9:00 AM Eastern through GoFan.
Seating is limited, and families of competing athletes will receive first access before the public sale. A Saturday ticket includes the full tournament—from two-mat bracket competition through the single-mat championship Finals.
September 18–19 · Hope Community Church · Apex, North Carolina
College Presence
22 Programs. 44 College Coaches.
UNC Pembroke, Randolph College and Allen University registered to support the Tournament of Champions this week, bringing the current total to 22 college wrestling programs and 44 registered college coaches.
That growing presence creates an opportunity for North Carolina wrestlers to compete in a high-level environment while connecting with college programs and coaches from across the region.
Weekend Wars
NC United Heads to Darkhorse This Weekend
Weekend Wars returns August 29–30 at Darkhorse Wrestling in Charlotte, centering two days on high-level competition and Super 32 preparation.
Quality rounds, different styles and strong partners give wrestlers an opportunity to test themselves outside their regular rooms. There will be no regular NC United Sunday practice this weekend.
NC United Blue
Blue Turns Up the Competition
The next chapter of NC United Blue began Sunday at UNC with a simple focus: bring great wrestlers together and let them wrestle. The session centered on sparring, situational wrestling and live competition with different partners and styles.
UNC Head Coach Rob Koll was joined by Tar Heel wrestlers Collin Carrigan and Aidan Schlett, giving NC United athletes another opportunity to train in a Division I environment alongside people competing and coaching at the collegiate level.
Blue will be held twice each month, concentrating strong partners into fewer, higher-level sessions while continuing to create opportunities inside the UNC and NC State wrestling programs.
More sparring. More live wrestling. Better partners. College rooms.
Learn more about NC United Blue · View the training calendar
College Commitments
Four More Off the Board
Four more accomplished North Carolina wrestlers have made their college decisions.
Class of 2026
Elijah Oakley → Washington & Lee
The Piedmont senior is a 2026 state champion and 2025 state runner-up with a 200–41 career record, 4.62 GPA and 34 ACT.
Jose Trejo → Campbell University
The Surry Central senior captured a 2026 state championship after placing fourth in 2025 and third in 2024.
Class of 2027
Josh Stonebraker → NC State
Stonebraker is a three-time NCISAA state champion and five-time state finalist pursuing state championship No. 4.
Ayden Sumners → VMI
The Wheatmore standout is a two-time state champion and three-time state placer with a 129–10 career record.
Tournament of Champions
Introducing the Giving Hour
Tournament of Champions sponsors do not pay sponsorship fees to NC United. Instead, partners put their commitments directly back into the wrestling community through gear, products, training, services and experiences.
One hour before the Finals, every paid spectator will receive free raffle tickets at the door. Fans can place them into designated partner boxes for the items or experiences they most want to win. There is no additional purchase, auction or bidding.
Participating partners already include Adidas Wrestling, Cronin Customs, Funky Flickr Boyz, Wrestling Mindset, Triangle Wrestling Academy, The Wrestling Guild and V1G1L Wrestling.
All free. All going back to the wrestling community.
Supporting partners
The Wrestling Guild
The Guild Launches Its iPhone App
The Wrestling Guild is officially available on the Apple App Store. Wrestlers and families can find current and former NCAA athletes, view availability and book private, partner and small-group training directly from their phones.
Find a coach. Book a session. Get to work.
Officials
Elite College Officials Set for the Tournament of Champions
Chief of Officials Jonathan Sutton will lead an experienced crew built for high-level competition alongside Titus Godbolt, Paul Crouse and J.R. Powell.
The crew brings extensive NCAA Division I, major-conference and postseason experience, providing consistency and professionalism from the opening round through the championship Finals.
Caden Perry Warrior Scholarship
Nominations Remain Open
The $1,000 wrestling-support award will recognize a North Carolina wrestler in grades 6–12 who has demonstrated exceptional character and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The scholarship is not based on wrestling accomplishments. It may support club dues, training, private lessons, camps, tournament fees, travel, lodging, shoes, gear and equipment. The inaugural recipient will be recognized at the 2026 Tournament of Champions.
The Ascent Continues
North Carolina Wrestling Keeps Moving Forward
The Tournament of Champions field is being revealed, public ticket sales open Friday, 44 college coaches are preparing to support the event, Blue has raised the competitive standard, four more wrestlers have made their college decisions and partners are investing directly back into the wrestling community.
North Carolina wrestling is ascending—and we're covering every step.
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