Flanagan Earns All-America Honors with Sixth-Place Finish at NCAA Division III Championships

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Washington and Lee University sophomore Liam Flanagan (157) capped a standout season on Saturday with a sixth-place finish and All-America honors at the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships inside the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

Flanagan entered the second day of the national tournament in the championship semifinals after a perfect opening day that included a 4–1 decision over Thomas DiResta (Johnson & Wales) and a 3–2 tiebreaker victory over Eric Kinkaid (Loras) in the quarterfinals. Those wins secured Flanagan a spot on the national podium and guaranteed All-America status, marking the ninth honor in program history.

On Saturday, Flanagan battled through a deep 157-pound bracket, including a semifinal matchup with eventual national champion Peter Kane of Williams. Flanagan ultimately finished sixth in the nation, representing the Generals on the sport's biggest stage. His run at nationals capped one of the strongest seasons of his career, as he closed the year with a 30–3 overall record.

Flanagan's All-America finish marks a major milestone for the Washington and Lee wrestling program and caps a season defined by consistency, resilience, and high-level postseason success.

Champ. Prelim — Flanagan won by decision over Thomas DiResta (Johnson & Wales) (Dec 4–1)

Quarterfinal — Flanagan won by tiebreaker decision over Eric Kinkaid (Loras) (TB1 3–2)

Semifinal — Peter Kane (Williams) won by major decision over Flanagan (MD 8–0)

Cons. Semifinal — Charlie Dojan (Wartburg) won by major decision over Flanagan (MD 9–0)

5th Place Match — Eric Kinkaid (Loras) won by decision over Flanagan (Dec 3–2)

Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.