Completed Event: Wrestling versus NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships - Day 2 on March 20, 2026 ,
/
FINAL
Wrestling
vs NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships - Day 2
South Dakota State University Athletics
SDSU WRESTLING TO JOIN PAC-12 CONFERENCE
4/1/2026 9:00:00 AM | Wrestling
BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota State wrestling team will begin competition in the Pac-12 Conference starting with the 2026-27 school year.
The Pac-12 Conference today announced the addition of four new affiliate members in the sport of wrestling, beginning with the 2026-27 season and coinciding with the new Pac-12's launch. The four will join Northern Illinois, which was previously announced as a Pac-12 Wrestling affiliate member in October, as new members of Pac-12 Wrestling next season. Joining the league in wrestling will be Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
"We look forward to competing in the Pac-12, beginning this upcoming season," said Justin Sell, SDSU Director of Athletics. "The ability to enhance our student-athletes' experiences while competing at the highest level of the sport is extremely important to us, and we believe we've found a perfect match in the Pac-12. I look forward to the continued bright future of South Dakota State wrestling."
With today's announcement, the Pac-12 will have nine teams competing in wrestling beginning with the 2026-27 campaign. The league's total wrestling membership now meets the minimum of six members required for the sport to retain NCAA automatic qualification for its annual league champions. The nine programs also will give the Pac-12 its largest wrestling membership since 2008-09, when it had nine schools.
"We are extremely excited about the opportunity to join the Pac-12 conference as an official member in the sport of wrestling," said head coach Damion Hahn. "The opportunities it gives our student-athletes to compete at a high level, while continuing to strengthen the Pac-12 conference, are special. The ability to host a conference championship, compete against top teams during the regular season, and chase individual goals is what our wrestlers come to South Dakota State University for.
"We are thrilled to be a part of strengthening the Pac-12 conference in the sport of wrestling. Excitement and big things are on the horizon for the Pac-12."
The Jackrabbits have sent 31 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships over the last four years, including a program-record 9 in 2025, with 7 reaching All-American status. SDSU has won at least 12 dual meets in each of the last five seasons under head coach Damion Hahn.
-GoJacks.com-
Wrestling Weekly Update (03.24.2026)
Tuesday, March 24
Wrestling NCAA Championships - Thursday Highlights (03.19.2026)
Friday, March 20
Wrestling Weekly Update (03.12.2026)
Thursday, March 12
Wrestling Big 12 Championships - Session 2 Highlights (03.06.2026)
Saturday, March 07