CLEVELAND, OH – Branson John of the Maryland wrestling team became the 22nd All-American in program history and the second since 2019 at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

John placed eighth after falling to No. 27 Gabe Arnold (Iowa), 6-2, in a decision.

As a team, Maryland finished 33rd overall with 8.5 points.

A true sophomore, John battled through the consolation bracket to reach the blood round and secure his first NCAA All-American honor in his second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships. After dropping his opening match on Day One, he responded with an impressive run, beginning with a 5-0 decision over No. 32 Blake Schaffer (Kent State). He followed with an 11-4 decision against No. 2 Rocky Elam (Iowa State), then added a 4-1 win over No. 10 Mac Stout (Pittsburgh).

John clinched All-American status with a 5-1 tiebreaker victory over No. 29 Colton Hawks (Arizona State) before ultimately finishing eighth.

133 | No. 23 Braxton Brown:
Brown DEC (4-2) No. 10  Maximilian Leete (AMER)
No. 7 Lucas Byrd (ILL) DEC (5-1) Brown
Brown DEC (1-0) No. 25 Will Betancort (RID)
No. 15 Tyler Knox (STAN) DEC (11-6) Brown

141 | No. 30 Dario Lemus:  
No. 3  Brock Hardy (NEB) T.F. (18-1, 5:47) Lemus 
No. 32 Matthew Martino (PRIN) DEC SV (4-1) Lemus

149 | No. 12 Carter Young:
Young DEC (16-12) No. 21 Gabe Willochell (WYO) 
Young DEC (11-4) No. 5 Koy Buesgens (NCST) 
No. 20 Chance Lamer (NEB) MD (12-0) Young
No. 15 Ryder Block (IOWA) DEC SV (4-1) Young

197 | No. 16 Branson John:
No 17 Dillon Bechtold (BUCK) DEC SV (4-1) John  
John DEC (5-0) No. 32 Blake Schaffer (KENT) 
John DEC (11-4) No. 2 Rocky Elam (ISU) 
John DEC (4-1) No. 10 Mac Stout (PITT)
John DEC (5-1 TB1) No. 29 Colton Hawks (ASU)
No. 9 Angelo Posada (STAN) DEC SV (4-1) John
No. 27 Gabe Arnold (IOWA) DEC 6-2 John