No. 18 Badgers Open Their Season Against NDSU

Saturday, November 1

Madison, WI

5:00 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

North Dakota State

No. 18 Badgers Open Their Season Against NDSU

October 28, 2025 | Wrestling

Wisconsin Takes the Mat in the 2025-26 Home Opener

By: Aliza Manekia

MADISON, Wisc. - Wisconsin wrestling is set to open its 2025-26 campaign on Saturday, November 1st at 5 p.m. (CT), when it hosts the NDSU Bisons at the UW Field House. The dual marks the Badgers' first of the season and the debut of a roster featuring NCAA qualifiers and a strong incoming class.

1. Last Time Out
Wisconsin wrapped up the 2024-25 season with three NCAA qualifiers who represented the Badgers at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia: Zan Fugitt (133 ), Nicolar Rivera (125), and Cody Goebel (165). Fugitt led the way, earning All-American honors with a fourth-place finish after defeating two top-six seeds. Rivera advanced to the blood round with a 3-2 performance, while Goebel made his first NCAA appearance.

Post-season success extended to the U20 World Team Trials, where Fugitt and Luke Condon (174) both impressed. Fugitt claimed a second-place finish in the 61kg class to close out a breakout sophomore year.

2. Scouting Report
North Dakota State entered the 2025-26 season after finishing 5-11 overall, including a 3-6 mark in Big 12 dual competition. Despite a challenging season, the Bison return a lineup anchored by several strong competitors, including Max Petersen, who compiled a 19-8 record overall and 8-3 in duals.

3. New Badgers
Wisconsin welcomed six true freshmen and one transfer this season. Among the additions are Peter Tomazevic (Freedom, Wis./133-141 lbs), Devin Bobzien (Milton, Wis./141), Tyson Waughtel (Vandalia, Ill./125), Caleb Dennee (Marshfield, Wis./184), Collin McDowell (Colgate, Wis./149), Tyson Imhoff (Highland, Wis./157-165), and Lane Robinson (Life University/157).

4. In the Polls
Six Badgers earned national rankings in the latest Intermat poll, while the team earned No. 18 rankings by Intermat.
No. 4 - Zan Fugitt, 133
No. 9 - Nicolar Rivera, 125
No. 16 - Joseph Zargo, 149
No. 17 - Braxton Amos, HWT
No. 20 - Cody Goebel, 165
No. 25 - Wyatt Ingham, 195

5. Projected Lineups
125 – Nicolar Rivera
133 – Zan Fugitt
141 – Carson Exferd
149 – Joe Zargo
157 – Luke Mechler
165 – Julian George / Cody Goebel
174 – Luke Condon
184 – Caleb Denny / Cale Anderson
197 – Wyatt Ingham
285 – Braxton Amos

6. Up Next
The Badgers will head down to Coach Bono's alma mater, Iowa State, for the Cyclone Invitational taking place on Saturday, November 8.