LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Coming off another successful postseason, Bellarmine University wrestling has announced its 2026-27 schedule, highlighted by a home dual against Ohio State, a return trip to Iowa and another challenging slate of competition leading into the Southern Conference and NCAA Championships. 

The Knights are coming off a season with two Southern Conference individual champions, as Jeb Prechtel and Grant O'Dell each captured SoCon gold last season and qualified to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The accomplishment marked Bellarmine's second straight year the Knights sent multiple wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. 

Bellarmine's 2026-27 schedule features 18 scheduled events, including six home dates at Knights Hall. The Knights open the campaign with an Oct. 9 Intrasquad before beginning tournament and dual competition in November. 

"We're incredibly excited about the opportunities this schedule gives our team," Bellarmine Head Coach Ned Shuck said. "Having Ohio State come to Louisville is going to be a special night, and we're excited for our fans to show up big again and pack Knights Hall. Going back to Iowa gives our guys another opportunity to compete in the second best wrestling environment in the country, behind Knights Hall, of course." 

"More than anything, I'm excited to see the continued growth of this team in every way," Shuck said. "We're going to compete against the best, continue raising the standard of Bellarmine Wrestling, and give our fans a team they can be proud of. Every time we step on the mat, they can expect relentless fight, incredible effort, and a group of guys who will compete for each other and for everyone who shows up to support the Knights." 

For senior Trayce Eckman, the upcoming campaign represents one final opportunity to compete as a Bellarmine Knight. 

"I'm excited to have one last opportunity to compete at the highest level in a sport I've known since I was four years old," Eckman said. "I get one last chance to compete alongside some of my best friends and see how great I can become at a sport I've dedicated my life to. Most of all, I'm excited to push myself, my teammates, and my coaches as far as we can go and see how much we can grow, both as individuals and as wrestlers. 

"Wrestling has given me so much throughout my life, and I'm grateful for one more season to give everything I have back to it. I can't wait to see what this team is capable of in my final year as a Bellarmine Knight." 

HOME SCHEDULE 

Bellarmine's first home event of the season will be its Oct. 9 intrasquad at Knights Hall. The Knights will then welcome Ohio State to Louisville on Nov. 22 for one of the marquee matchups of the season. 

Bellarmine will host Davidson on Dec. 18 before opening the 2027 portion of its home schedule with Appalachian State on Jan. 17 and Virginia Military Institute on Jan. 24. 

The Knights will close their home schedule on Feb. 14 against The Citadel. 

CHALLENGING ROAD SLATE 

Bellarmine begins its road competition Nov. 7 at Ohio University before traveling to Iowa City, Iowa, for a Nov. 13 matchup with the University of Iowa. 

The Knights will then travel to DeKalb, Illinois, to face Northern Illinois on Nov. 15 before returning to competition at the Kent State Open on Dec. 5. 

Bellarmine will compete at the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 2-3 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, followed by the F&M Open on Jan. 8 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

The Knights will have a busy weekend Feb. 5 in Buies Creek, North Carolina, where they are scheduled to face Campbell, Presbyterian and Air Force. Bellarmine will then travel to Gardner-Webb on Feb. 7 before closing the regular season Feb. 19 at Chattanooga. 

POSTSEASON 

The Knights will turn their attention to postseason competitions in March, beginning with the Southern Conference Championships March 5-6 in Asheville, North Carolina. The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will follow March 18-20 in St. Louis, Missouri.  

Note: Season Ticket Information will be released at a later date.  

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