Peter Kane Wins National Championship, Williams Wrestling Achieves Program Best

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Senior Peter Kane of Williams College won the 157-pound weight class at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kane’s victory propelled the Williams College wrestling team to its best-ever finish at the National Championship, placing ninth overall .

Kane’s Championship Run

Kane (32-0) secured the championship with a takedown in the final 19 seconds of his match against Rhenzo Augusto of Elmhurst University . This victory marked his first NCAA Division III national championship and earned him his fourth All-American title. He is now the second Eph in program history to achieve All-American status four times .

Team Success and Coaching Impact

The ninth-place finish by the Williams wrestling team represents a significant improvement, marking the program’s best performance in its history . Interim head coach Tom Foote ’13 was named NCAA Rookie Coach of the Year at the tournament, recognized for his leadership in the team’s turnaround. Captain Donnie Morton ’26 credited Foote for fostering a positive and productive environment, stating that the coach “promised us on his first day that he was going to do whatever it takes to help us achieve our goals, and he followed through on that promise” .

All-American Honorees

In addition to Kane, Jamie Evarts ’28 and Caleb Seyfried ’26 also earned All-American honors for Williams College at the championships . Zach Borzio ’27, Gage Wiggins ’29, and Henry Forte ’27 also qualified for the NCAA Championships, contributing to a record six Eph wrestlers competing at the national level.

Resilience and Perseverance

The team’s success was particularly notable considering their early-season struggles, having lost all four duals in their season opener. Kane emphasized the team’s perseverance, noting, “Our duels last longer than everyone else’s. We have the longest matches. Even when we’re losing, we’re fighting to the end” .

Looking Ahead

Henry Forte ’27 expressed confidence in the program’s continued success, stating, “We’re gonna do it all again and have fun doing it.” The team’s achievements are expected to be celebrated with a new banner in the Lasell wrestling gym, serving as a source of inspiration for future Ephs wrestlers .