Key Takeaways
- RIT wrestlers Josh Harkless and Isaiah Shafer won individual titles at the 2026 SUNYAC Championships
- Shafer was named Co-Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament
- The RIT Tigers finished fifth overall in the championships
- Harkless and Shafer’s wins helped lead the team to a successful tournament performance
- Several other RIT wrestlers placed in the top five in their respective weight classes, including Konrad Haugeto, Jackson Rush, Johnathan Freebern, Mason Grodzki, and Marco Rivera
Introduction to the Tournament
The 2026 SUNYAC Championships took place on Saturday, with the RIT Tigers competing against other top teams in the conference. The tournament was a significant event for the RIT wrestling team, with several wrestlers looking to make a name for themselves and help their team achieve a strong finish. In the end, the Tigers finished fifth overall, thanks in large part to the outstanding performances of Josh Harkless and Isaiah Shafer. Harkless, a senior and top seed at 285 lb., and Shafer, a junior and sixth seed at 141 lb., both won individual titles in their respective weight classes.
Harkless’s Dominant Performance
Harkless’s performance at the tournament was particularly impressive, as he pinned all four of his opponents to take home the title. His first match was over in just 27 seconds, as he quickly dispatched Jake LeSage of Oneonta. He followed that up with a 31-second pin of Luke Coffin in the quarterfinals, and then pinned Kenny Jackson in the semifinals. In the championship match, Harkless faced off against Charlie Turner of Ithaca, and came out on top with another pin. Harkless’s dominance on the mat was a key factor in the Tigers’ fifth-place finish, and he will look to continue his strong performance as the season progresses.
Shafer’s Upset Victory
Shafer’s path to the title was not as straightforward as Harkless’s, but he still managed to come out on top. As the sixth seed at 141 lb., Shafer was not expected to win the title, but he proved his doubters wrong with a series of impressive victories. He started the tournament with a 20-8 win over Neil Paulerica of Cortland, and followed that up with a 14-2 major decision victory over Ethan Christmas of St. John Fisher. In the quarterfinals, Shafer faced off against third-seeded Dom Vinci of Cortland, and came out on top with a 14-9 decision. He then defeated second-seeded Michael Santore of Oswego 4-2 in the semifinals, setting up a championship match against top-seeded Avery Leonard of Oneonta. Shafer’s 7-1 victory over Leonard was a major upset, and earned him the title and the Co-Outstanding Wrestler award.
Other Notable Performances
While Harkless and Shafer were the standout performers for the Tigers, several other wrestlers also had strong showings at the tournament. Konrad Haugeto, a first-year wrestler at 157 lb., placed third overall, thanks to a series of impressive victories. He started the tournament with a 17-2 technical fall win over Cameron Schrom of Oneonta, and followed that up with a 6-4 win over Mason Rappold of Oneonta. After a pair of losses, Haugeto rebounded with a win over Aaron Nelson of Ithaca in the consolation round, and then defeated Rappold again in the third-place match. Other RIT wrestlers who placed in the top five included Jackson Rush, Johnathan Freebern, Mason Grodzki, and Marco Rivera.
Looking Ahead
The RIT Tigers will look to build on their strong performance at the SUNYAC Championships as they head into the rest of the season. Their next match is scheduled for Friday, January 30, against St. John Fisher at 7:00 p.m. The team will be looking to continue their momentum and make a push for a strong finish in the conference standings. With Harkless and Shafer leading the way, the Tigers have a good chance of success in their upcoming matches. The team’s performance at the SUNYAC Championships was a promising sign, and fans will be eager to see how they follow it up in the coming weeks.