Wrestling Season Preview: 125-141 lbs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Wrestling will begin its 106th season this week with its first trip to California in nine years.

Head coach Tony Ersland enters his 12th season at the helm with a familiar face joining his coaching staff — Purdue’s two-time All-American Matt Ramos. Coming off his fourth-place podium finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships, one of the school’s best wrestlers of all time returns to help mold the next generation of Boilermakers.

The team brings back a wealth of talent at multiple weights, opening the season with seven nationally-ranked wrestlers for the first time since 2021.

This release is a preview for the lower weights on the squad, ranging from 125 lbs to 141 lbs. The preview for 149-165 will drop on Tuesday, followed by 174-285 on Wednesday.

125 LBS

The elephant in the room this season is a question: Who will step up to fill Ramos’ massive shoes at 125? It’s Purdue’s only weight class that doesn’t have a returning starter from last season.

Jacob Macatangay took a big step forward at Wrestle Offs two weeks ago when he beat highly-touted redshirt freshman Isaiah Quintero. Macatangay from Plainfield, Ill., enters his redshirt junior year as the most experienced wrestler at 125. He went 9-9 last season appearing in one Big Ten dual and five tournaments, including his first appearance at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite.

Quintero, despite dropping the 9-1 major decision to Macatangay, figures to see a lot of action after going 9-6 as a true freshman. The 2022 California state champion’s first varsity action was at last year’s Tiger Style Invite, where he placed fifth. He made his dual debut at Minnesota, dropping a gritty 5-2 decision to No. 9 Cooper Flynn. But it was enough to show the young freshman could scrap with the best.

Redshirt sophomore Ashton Jackson enters his third season as a Boiler. He went 21-8 in 2024-25, mostly in unattached tournaments, and was Purdue’s leader in tournament wins (21), pins (five), shutout wins (14) and riding time differential (+37:13). His 21 wins were third-most on the team.

Freshman Ty Henderson is a likely redshirt candidate following his stellar 32-4 senior season at Evansville Mater Dei, when he finished third in the state (and second in 2024). He will have opportunities to make an impact.

133 LBS

Speaking of Mater Dei, Evansville native Blake Boarman – ranked No. 19 by InterMat – is one of two new transfers to watch. He was the SoCon runner-up last season at Chattanooga and qualified for NCAAs for the first time in his four years with the Mocs. Returning to his home state, Boarman is one of Purdue’s six previous NCAA qualifiers and slots in as the likely starter at 133.

Dustin Norris was last year’s starter and continues to work his way back from an injury, which kept him out of Wrestle Offs. He went 8-13 (7-8 in duals) in 2024-25 and looks to push for a big breakthrough in his redshirt senior season. The Cincinnati native and two-time Ohio state champ is back for his last ride.

Freshman Isaiah Schaefer put up a great effort in his Wrestle Offs debut against Boarman, falling in a 7-5 decision after scoring a takedown late in the match. Also a Mater Dei alum, Schaefer showed out at Fargo nationals over the summer and became a Junior All-American in Greco-Roman and Freestyle.

Freshman Vincent Paino is the only New Jersey native on the team. He was the No. 178 overall recruit on the 2025 MatScouts Big Board and was a three-time New Jersey state qualifier, taking third in 2025. Paino went 136-37 at St. Joseph Montvale.

141 LBS

Greyson Clark begins his junior year ranked No. 18 in the country, a personal high. He qualified for his second straight NCAA Championships in March as an auto-qualifier from the Big Ten Championships. Clark defeated No. 29 Jordan Soriano (Drexel) in a 13-3 major for his second career win at nationals. The Wrightstown, Wis., grappler aims for more this season after recovering from a hand injury in the offseason.

Jaden Reynolds is the only other 141-pounder on the roster this season. The redshirt senior from Avon, Ind., competed in nine matches last season in mostly unattached tournaments. His year was highlighted by a fifth-place finish at Tiger Style, competing at 149. Until now, he has competed at 149 through each of his three seasons. He looks to break through at a new weight that lacks depth.