Four WVU wrestlers win titles at Southeast Open

By Charles Montgomery, WVU Sports

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Four Mountaineers from the West Virginia University wrestling team won individual titles to kick off the season at the 2026 Southeast Open at the Cregger Center in Salem, Virginia, on Sunday.

Redshirt senior Ian Bush (184), redshirt junior Ty Watters (157), redshirt sophomore Louie Gill (125) and redshirt freshman Luke Satriano (141) each won titles for West Virginia.

Gill earned victories by technical fall, major decision and decision on his way to the title. In the 125-pound finals, Gill pulled off the upset against Maryland’s No. 10 Nicolar Rivera, winning by decision, 7-2.

Watters was dominant on his way to the championship, winning two bouts by fall. Watters easily advanced to the semifinals, defeating Davidson’s Tyler-Xavier McKnight by fall and Campbell’s Brandon Bauer by fall. Watters earned the title by defeating George Mason’s DJ McGee by technical fall, 17-0.

Bush picked up two technical fall victories and a win by fall on his way to an individual title at 184 pounds. Bush began the day with a victory over Appalachian State’s No. 23 Tomas Brooker by technical fall, 15-0. In the finals, Bush beat Virginia Tech’s Sergio Desiante by decision, 5-2.

Satriano was West Virginia’s fourth title winner, earning the 141-pound title in the freshman/sophomore division. Satriano needed five victories to win the championship, eventually defeating Davidson’s Cody Trevino by decision in the finals.

Overall, eight other Mountaineers finished in the top three for the tournament:

Open

• Gunner Andrick (Second place at 133 pounds)
• Max Vanadia (Second place at 285 pounds)
• Brody Conley (Third place at 174 pounds)
• Coen Grimm (Third place at 197 pounds)

Freshman/Sophomore Division

• Jackson Angelo (Second place at 165 pounds)
• Gage Wentzel (Third place at 165 pounds)
• Michael Baldwin (Third place at 174 pounds)
• Paxton Hunt (Third place at 197 pounds)

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on X, Instagram and Facebook.