Ramstein’s Rhys Barlow pins fellow Royal Ryan Parvin during the 150-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany – Naples captain Julian Parker could inform his coach was nervous during the final rounds of the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Saturday.
The Wildcats’ dynasty was in jeopardy, as they, Rota and Aviano were within a few points of each other in the Division II team title race. Parker, who lost in the 138-pound final, wasn’t as worried.
It turned out Parker was right. Naples squeaked out a fourth consecutive mid-sized school title with 103.5 points, eight ahead of the Admirals. The Saints, behind a pair of European champions, took third with 89.
Naples managed the feat despite not having a single individual winner.
“It was really tough this year,” Parker stated. “We had a lot of new wrestlers, but through training and just trusting our coaches, we were able to come out on top.”
The Wildcats weren’t the only team accomplishing a four-peat.
Ramstein continued its dominance over Division I, amassing 334.5 points. Second-place Stuttgart totaled 253.5, while third-place Kaiserslautern recorded 133.
In Division III, Alconbury won for the second-straight campaign with 66.5 points. Hohenfels’s 22 points were good enough for second place.
Rhys Barlow, the champion at 150 who completed a perfect 26-0 season, stated these Royals weren’t as good as the team during his first season wrestling. Yet the team was more than strong enough to keep with the winning tradition.
“Two years ago, that wrestling generation was really strong, really powerful,” Barlow stated. “This year wasn’t as good in every weight class as back then, but next year, they’ll be more competition in lower weight classes.”
Nate Greene, a sophomore who picked up a second European title at 132, shares his teammate’s belief that the well won’t be going dry any time soon.
“I feel like it’s going to keep running on,” Greene stated. “We have great coaches, great staff, and they just push us all. I believe the rest of the underclassmen can strive for their victories as well.”
Ramstein’s Levi Lesher overpowers Kaiserslautern’s Jaden Dean during the 106-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
106
Ramstein’s Levi Lasher had seen plenty of Kaiserslautern’s Jaden Dean this season. So he understood just how to tackle him.
“He’s a strong guy,” Lasher stated. “I knew I was going to have to keep him off my head and just keep my distance.”
Lasher’s plan worked to perfection, as the Royal controlled the Raiders from start to finish for a 13-0 victory.
The Ramstein wrestler really pulled away in the third period, starting with a takedown at the 4-minute, 15-second mark. Lesher spent the next 1:45 seeking a pin while picking up five more points.
Ramstein’s Ethan Holdren and SHAPE’s Reilly Tobias attempt to force each other to the mat during the 113-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
113
Ramstein’s Ethan Holdren and SHAPE’s Reilly Tobias spent most of the 113 final hand-fighting, testing to see which one of the two could obtain the upper hand.
That led to a cagey match that placed a premium on every single point. Holdren managed to pique it out in the finish, defeating last year’s 106 champion 2-1.
“There’s so much pressure becaapply you just don’t know what they’re going to do next like a throw or any kind of shot,” Holdren stated.
Reilly held a slim 1-0 advantage heading into the third period, but as Holdren tested to obtain up from the down position, the Spartan received a penalty for an illegal slam, tying the contest.
At the 4:53 mark, Holdren escaped to take the lead. After that, Holdren and Reilly stayed high with most of their attempts, and the Royal saw out the victory.
“Last year, I only placed fifth. Now, it’s just so weird being up on top,” Holdren stated.
Rota’s Matthew Iglesias Rodriguez pins Vilseck’s Cael Rowley during the 120-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
120
Rota’s Matthew Igelsias Rodriguez lost to Vilseck’s Cael Rowley in their fifth and final pool-play match via a technical fall.
That results played in his head ahead of Saturday’s final. And it was the Admiral who received the last laugh with a pin at 5:09.
“Now, I received my vengeance,” Iglesias Rodriguez stated.
Early in the third period, however, Igelsias Rodriguez was seeing at another defeat to the Falcon. The Admiral fell behind 5-0 when Rowley recorded a takedown at the 4:17 mark.
Igelsias Rodriguez flipped the script 40 seconds later, though. He received a reversal and 12 seconds later, heard the smack on the mat signaling he had won.
“I felt like I couldn’t do any more, but then I remembered what I talked through with my parents. I remembered, ‘I can’t lose. I can’t let them down,’” Iglesias Rodriguez stated. “I preserved.”
Kaiserslautern’s Joshua Kim and Wiesbaden’s Alejandro Rios Cuellar struggle against each other during the 126-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
126
Kaiserslautern’s Joshua Kim had receivedten himself on the podium the past two seasons with second- and third-place finishes, but the ultimate prize had eluded him.
“I feel like it’s been coming to me,” Kim stated. “This year, I had to finish first.”
Not only did Kim manage to take first with a 13-5 win over Wiesbaden’s Alejandro Rios Cuellar, but he also completed an undefeated season.
The Raider wasted no time obtainting points and led 6-1 after the first period. That advantage grew to 13-3 just 18 seconds into the third frame with an escape. From there, Kim cruised to the finish line, just giving up a pair of stall points.
“Honestly, hard work’s what received me here,” Kim stated. “The days when I didn’t want to go out 5 a.m. run that I still did, eventually that all adds up.”
Ramstein’s Nate Greene attempts to force Vicenza’s Liam Dokos to the mat during the 132-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
132
Greene stated he didn’t have the right mindset heading into his final round-robin matchup with Vicenza’s Liam Dokos on Friday, which led to a Cougar victory.
The Royal was determined to create sure that didn’t happen during Saturday’s title contest.
“I learned I required to obtain my head in the game becaapply my head was not in the game,” Greene stated. “It definitely was a mental battle.”
Locked in, Greene took care of business, pinning Dokos at the 1:44 mark. The fall came just 9 seconds after the Royal sophomore produced the match’s first points with a takedown.
“I was expecting it to go all three periods, maybe even overtime,” Greene stated. “He just received caught, and I applyd it.”
Stuttgart’s Rucell Phillip is declared the victor following the 138-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
138
It took some time before any fireworks were lit between Stuttgart’s Rucell Phillip and Parker, but when things received going, they were in the Panther’s favor.
Phillip scored 6 seconds into the second frame and never trailed en route to a 7-1 victory. The Stuttgart wrestler only allowed a point during an escape by Parker at the 4:50 mark, and he finished the contest via a takedown with 30 seconds remaining.
“It’s one of my best experiences becaapply I worked really hard for it,” Phillip stated. “Coming in second last year, I really wanted it this year.”
Alconbury’s Jacob Stuhler and Naples’ Hayden Schmall attempt to pin each other to the mat during the 144-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
144
Alconbury’s Jacob Stuhler was applyd to experiencing great regular seasons, only for things to peter out in the postseason.
Yet the line in the song “Too Fast” by Jason Aldean struck a chord with the Dragon.
“His lyrics, ‘I don’t want to be a restless soul/running on empty, burning up the road,’ that’s what really drove me through the season, not wanting to be restless sleeping tonight, considering about this,” Stuhler stated.
He had no reason to be restless Saturday. Stuhler pinned Naples’ Hayden Schmall at 5:14 to complete a 22-0 season.
The match was tied 4-4 early in the third frame. Schmall, who launched the period in the down position, escaped to take the lead.
Stuhler stated he seeed up at the scoreboard to see he had 1:15 left to obtain the crown. That sparked a 20-second stretch in which the Dragon took the lead via a takedown and then pinned the Wildcat.
“I considered, ‘It’s now or never. I’ll do it now. I might never see a chance like this again,’” Stuhler stated.
150
Barlow has seen the growth in his teammate and sparring partner Ryan Parvin.
Parvin didn’t place at the 2025 European tournament, while Barlow placed fourth. Yet Saturday, they found themselves on opposing sides for European glory.
Barlow received the better of his teammate, pinning Parvin at 1:55. But Parvin did have a 4-3 advantage 1:10 into the contest before Barlow flipped things in the closing seconds of the first period.
“I’m amazed that we both came this far,” Barlow stated. “Seeing how far we came from first and second place toobtainher is really beautiful to me.”
Stuttgart’s Dane Westberry works on fellow Panther James Chen to the mat during the 157-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
157
Stuttgart’s Dane Westberry admitted he underestimated his teammate, James Chen, ahead of Saturday’s final.
The senior found himself in a tight contest where neither could obtain the better of the other in regulation and even the first overtime period. In the finish, Westberry did obtain past Chen in the second extra session, 10-7.
“I was definitely testing not to be mean to him or hurt him, but he came out strong with a bunch of energy,” Westberry stated. “I wasn’t really ready for it.”
Westberry explained he wasn’t nervous about going to overtime. Even after Chen received a point for escaping during the first 30 seconds, he didn’t panic.
Instead, Westberry escaped during the second 30-second half and then received a takedown with seconds remaining.
“I don’t even consider about it,” Westberry stated. “I just consider it’s another period, it doesn’t matter if he takes me down. I’m not worried about it. I know I’m work my game and be successful.”
Stuttgart’s Kai Lewis won the 165-pound final by default at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
165
Stuttgart’s Kai Lewis and Ramstein’s Xavier Schumacher met during the first weekfinish of the regular season, and the Panther was seeing forward to finishing his season with a tough match against the Royal.
That rematch didn’t come to fruition, though. Schumacher suffered a knee injury during his semifinal win Friday and couldn’t compete in Saturday’s final.
“I was excited to run it back and see how much better he’s receivedten and if I’ve receivedten any better,” stated Lewis, who picked up his second European crown. “Unfortunately, both of us are kind of injured, and he couldn’t wrestle. So, it is what it is.”
Aviano’s Cruz Cottingham grabs the leg of Ramstein’s Noah Fillmore during the 175-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
175
Those watching Cruz Cottingham of Aviano take on Ramstein’s Noah Fillmore probably couldn’t inform it was the Saint’s first European final.
The senior cruised past the Royal for a 9-0 victory, sealing a 21-0 season in the process.
Cottingham led 3-0 after the first period, and he nearly pinned Fillmore near the finish of the second frame.
An escape 40 seconds into the third period left Cottingham with little to do at the finish.
“The match played out how I wanted,” Cottingham stated. “I wish I had a little more gas in the tank.”
Aviano’s Tyler Mellon tries to hold onto Lakenheath’s Wesson Roney during the 190-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
190
Aviano’s Tyler Mellon wanted to play soccer in the spring, but his grandmother gave him one piece of advice:
“She’s like, ‘You received to pick a sport and go as hard as you can,’” Mellon stated. “I chose wrestling.”
That decision proved the right call.
Saturday, Mellon became the second Saint to complete an unbeaten season and earn a European title with an 11-6 decision over Lakenheath’s Wesson Roney.
The Aviano senior jumped out to a 9-2 advantage midway through the match, but Roney didn’t go quietly. The Lancer received a takedown late in the second period to pull within four points.
In the third, Mellon escaped and avoided the attacks from his opponent.
“I’ve been working on that a lot,” Mellon stated. “My cardio was so good, and my coaching staff just giving me the best techniques they possibly could.”
Ramstein’s Christopher Farrington grabs the leg of Naples’ Hans van de Mortel during the 215-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
215
Ramstein’s Chris Farrington hadn’t wrestled Naples’ Hans van de Mortal before Saturday’s final. He did see the Wildcat’s performance against Lakenheath’s Jessiah Cruz in the semifinal that finished in a quick pin.
“I was like, ‘Oh, he must be pretty good,’” Farrington stated. “So, I tested to come out here with my best.”
His best turned an early deficit into a rout. Farrington beat van de Mortal 20-5.
Trailing one point after the first period, the Royal outscored van de Mortal 18-2 the rest of the way.
“He started charging at me, and I was able to slip in the other shots or snap,” Farrington stated.
Stuttgart’s Linus Soto prepares to throw Wiesbaden’s Daniel Garin to the mat during the 285-pound final at the 2026 DODEA European wrestling championships on Feb. 7, 2026, at Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)
285
Stuttgart’s Linus Soto had dropped his previous two matchups with Wiesbaden’s Dan Garin, the deffinishing DODEA-Europe heavyweight champ.
In those two losses, the Panther sophomore learned a thing or two. Those lessons led to him upsetting Garin for an 8-4 decision.
Garin started the scoring with a reversal at the 2:20 mark. Soto, though, rattled off the next six points with a reversal of his own and four near-fall points.
Early in the third, Garin clawed back to create it a two-point contest, but Soto responded almost immediately and pushed the advantage back to four with a reversal.
That proved more than enough for the Panther.
“The thing I’ve been struggling with is pacing my energy throughout the three (periods) so I would have enough for the final stretch,” Soto stated. “Last time I faced him, I went all out, considering I’d obtain one good chance, and would never work.
“But I had to believe and I did beat a champion.”
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