New Jersey wrestler mysteriously loses NCAA national title

Hunter Mays of The College of New Jersey won the 174-pound Division III national championship after completing an undefeated 26-0 season, only to have his title vacated shortly after the victory, according to New York Post.

The NCAA informed TCNJ that Mays had been declared ineligible due to a violation of NCAA policy, but the governing body has not disclosed the specific nature of the infraction. The college released a statement Wednesday morning confirming that his individual championship will be vacated in accordance with NCAA procedures.

Possible violations could include illegal sports wagering, eligibility issues related to transferring between schools, or banned substance use. Recent high-profile cases have involved similar circumstances, including Brendan Sorsby of Texas Tech who faced penalties for sports betting violations.

Distinguished Wrestling Program Takes a Hit

The loss represents a significant blow to TCNJ’s wrestling program, one of the most storied in Division III athletics. The school recently became just the sixth Division III institution to reach 800 all-time dual wins.

In 2026, TCNJ finished fifth nationally with 58.5 team points. Alongside Mays, teammate Garrett Totten won the 133-pound national championship, though his title remains intact.

The revocation drops TCNJ’s total count of national wrestling champions from 25 to 24 in the program’s illustrious history.

Transfer Background Raises Questions

Mays, a native of Farmingdale, New Jersey, attended Howell High School before beginning his collegiate career at Lehigh University. He later transferred to TCNJ, where he dominated the 174-pound weight class throughout the 2026 season.

Division III athletes are now eligible for Name, Image, and Likeness compensation similar to their Division I counterparts, adding another layer of potential rule violations that could have triggered the NCAA’s action.

Mays has not publicly commented on the stripped title. The silence from both the athlete and the NCAA has fueled speculation about what transpired, leaving the wrestling community without answers as the sport enjoys increased mainstream attention through professional ventures like Real American Freestyle wrestling and its broadcast partnership with Fox Nation.

With information from New York Post