INDIANAPOLIS – McKendree redshirt-freshman Sam Richardson was named the 2025-26 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Men’s Wrestler of the Year, the league office announced on Thursday. Additionally, Indianapolis grappler Ethan Farrell earned GLVC Freshman of the Year honors, and McKendree mentor James Kisgen was voted GLVC Coach of the Year by his peers.
A total of 31 wrestlers were named All-Conference honorees across all six teams and six student-athletes were recognized as their program's GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award honoree in the sport. The All-Conference awards are nominated and voted on by league coaches.
Wrestler of the Year: Sam Richardson, Redshirt-Freshman, 165 lb., McKendree
- Claims first Wrestler of the Year award and fifth overall for McKendree with Logan Kvien (197) winning the honor in 2025.
- Went 27-5 on the season overall.
- Went 8-1 against GLVC opponents and finished fifth at the Midwest Classic.
- Ranked No. 3 at 165 lb. in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) rankings.
- Selected to All-GLVC First Team, earning his first All-Conference honor.
Freshman of the Year: Ethan Farnell, 197 lb., Indianapolis
- Becomes Indianapolis’ third Freshman of the Year, joining Dawson Combest and Logan Bailey who won the award back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.
- Went 26-9 overall and 3-2 against GLVC opponents with the only losses coming to All-GLVC First Team honoree Logan Kvien.
- Won the Bob Del Rosa Open, and placed top three twice.
- One of two true freshman named to the All-GLVC Second Team.
Coach of the Year: James Kisgen, McKendree
- Secures seventh Coach of the Year honor and third-straight, the most by a coach since the league began sponsoring the sport in 2017.
- Led McKendree to 16-5 overall record and 5-0 GLVC record, as well as winning the program's seventh GLVC Championship.
- Ranked No. 10 in latest NWCA Poll.
- Kisgen mentored Thaddeus Long (133), Ronan Schuelke (141), Cale Hoskinson (157), Richardson (165), Darion Johnson (184), and Logan Kvien (197) to All-GLVC First Team selections.
Joining Long, Schuelke, Hoskinson, Richardson, Johnson, and Kvien on the First Team were Indianapolis redshirt-junior Nathan Smith (125), Upper Iowa senior Ethan Doty (149), sophomore Griffin Luke (174), and Maryville senior Jonovan Smith (285)
Drury University earned the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Team Award, while six student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior were also recognized. These individuals must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. The honorees are now eligible to become one of their school's two Spalding Sportsmanship Award winners, which will be announced at the end of the academic year.
A complete list of the 2025-26 All-GLVC teams and postseason honors can be found below.
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Sam Richardson, R-Fr., 165, McKendree
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Ethan Farnell, 197 lb., Indianapolis
COACH OF THE YEAR: James Kisgen, McKendree
ALL-GLVC FIRST TEAM
125: Nathan Smith, R-Jr., UINDY
133: Thaddeus Long, Gr., MCK
141: Ronan Schuelke, R-Sr., MCK
149: Ethen Doty, Sr., UIU
157: Cale Hoskinson, Gr., MCK
165: Sam Richardson, R-Fr., MCK
174: Griffin Luke, So., UIU
184: Darion Johnson, R-Jr., MCK
197: Logan Kvien, Gr., MCK
285: Jonovan Smith, Sr., MU
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ALL-GLVC SECOND TEAM
125: Elijah Almarinez, Fr., MU
133: Aidan Sprague, R-Jr., UINDY
141: Nate Wishne, Sr., DU
149: Sabian Russell, Jr., QU
157: Nic Zamora, Fr., MU
165: Nick Mueller, R-Fr., UIU
174: Cole Ritter, R-Sr., MU
184: Christian Chavez, R-So., UINDY
197: Ethan Farnell, Fr., UINDY
285: Hunter Tennison, Jr., DU
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ALL-GLVC THIRD TEAM
125: Treyton Ackman, Jr., UIU
133: JP Homfeld, R-Sr., MU
141: Tanner Arjes, R-Fr., UIU
Zach Haughton, Sr., UINDY
149: Gavin Garcia, R-Jr., UINDY
157: Preston Klostermann, Fr., UIU
165: Mustafa Salimi, So., MU
174: Zeke Waltz, R-Sr., MCK
184: Callan Ivy, Sr., QU
197: Jeremiah Larson, R-Sr., MU
285: Cale Gray, Gr., UINDY
* Extra member due to tie |
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GLVC JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Mason Knight, DU
Christian Chavez, UINDY
Elijah Almarinez, MU
Logan Kvien, MCK
Jackson Jones, QU
Ethen Doty, UIU
GLVC JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD TEAM WINNER
Drury