After a challenging 1-6 season in 2024–2025, the Case Western Reserve University wrestling team is back on the mat with renewed energy and a clear goal: competing for the UAA title and making a run at the national championship.
Despite last year’s struggles, including a last-place finish at the UAA Championship, the Spartans committed to a rigorous offseason and are already seeing results. They earned a third-place finish out of 14 teams at the Mount Union Invitational and followed that performance with a 25-13 victory over No. 23-ranked Adrian University.
“We’ve looked great so far this season, being the best D3 team at the Mount Union Invitational and beating 23rd ranked Adrian in Michigan,” fourth-year wrestler Art Martinez said. “These results just exemplify how Coach Shapiro’s vision for our team is finally coming to fruition. I really think this is the year that it all comes together for CWRU Wrestling and am super excited for what lies ahead.”
The team is led by Head Coach David Shapiro, who has been at the helm since August 2023. Joining him are assistant coaches Garrett Chase, Kevon Freeman, Stephen Andryc and the program’s newest coaching addition, Jordan Decatur, a standout wrestler with an impressive collegiate career at both Ohio State University and Kent State University. Decatur’s athletic resume includes three state championships, an NHSCA Freshman National title, four Ironman placements and selection as a 2018 Cadet World Team member. Martinez appreciates the leadership and technical expertise Decatur brings to the coaching staff, especially in developing the team’s lighter weight classes.
“We worked really hard in the preseason in the weight room as well as on the mat,” Martinez said. “Everyone has been doing extra work and practices to get better and the addition of a new assistant coach is Jordan Decatur, a DI NCAA qualifier, has really helped the lighter weights jump levels.”
The UAA is made up of eight schools, and all CWRU athletic teams except football compete within the conference. Wrestling, however, is an exception. Only two other UAA institutions—the University of Chicago and New York University—sponsor wrestling programs. As a result, the Spartans compete exclusively against these two schools for the UAA title. After finishing last in the conference standings each year since the 2021–2022 season, the team is determined to break that streak and climb the rankings this year.
“I’m expecting this to be numerically the best season we’ve had since I have been at CWRU,” Martinez said. “Coming off a win against the 23rd ranked team in the country shows that Coach Shapiro’s plan for our team is finally coming together. I firmly believe that we can compete for a UAA title this year because of the depth of our lineup and new additions to our team. I also hope we can punch a few tickets to the NCAA tournament, which we have not done in more than 10 years.”
This season, the Spartans welcomed nine first-year wrestlers to the roster and are led by eight fourth-years competing in their final collegiate season. The blend of seasoned leadership and fresh energy has created a strong team dynamic, positioning the Spartans for continued growth and success.
“Having a large senior class has been huge for the development of our freshman,” fourth-year Thomas Wagner said. “We have no team captains for wrestling because our philosophy is that we are all equals. Everyone has the opportunity to step up and become a leader in their own way. Each of us have taken a leadership role in some capacity and it has helped our younger guys adjust to the pace, expectations and mindset of college wrestling. The freshmen have brought a ton of energy into the room, and the balance between the experience and enthusiasm has really elevated the whole team.”
Martinez is excited for the season ahead and deeply values the strong team dynamic the wrestlers share. He feels confident in their ability to compete at a high level this year.
“This year’s team just feels different,” Martinez said. “Everyone is working as hard as they can and is excited to do so. That excitement about the sport and the grind is contagious and lifts others on the team up to elevate their work ethic in the room.”
The Spartans will return to action on Nov. 22 at the Baldwin Wallace Invitational. Looking ahead, they will compete in the UAA Championships in February, where they hope to earn the program’s first conference title.
“I’m super excited to showcase our wrestling and hard work we’ve put in throughout the year,” Wagner said. “Personally, I feel more confident and prepared than ever. As a team, we’ve made big strides technically and mentally and I’m super excited to be able to showcase that growth. This is my final year of eligibility and I look to make the most of every opportunity this season.”