The 2025–26 season marked a historic and defining chapter for the Morgan State Bears wrestling program, as the program continued its resurgence on the national stage with grit, growth, and record-setting performances.
After relaunching the program following a decades-long hiatus, the Bears delivered one of their most memorable seasons in recent history, highlighted by a return to the NCAA Championships for the first time in 27 years. Powered by a pair of rising young standouts, Morgan State laid a strong foundation and set the tone for the program's future trajectory.
Historic NCAA Championship Appearance
Redshirt freshman Eugene Harney emerged as the face of the program, putting together a remarkable campaign that culminated in a 29-6 overall record. Harney represented Morgan State at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, earning a victory on the national stage and advancing to Day Two of competition—an achievement that etched his name into program history.
Joining him on the national stage, Yannis Charles battled against some of the nation's top competition at the NCAA Championships. Charles opened the tournament with a victory before facing the No. 1 seed from Penn State, followed by the No. 15 seed from Iowa. Competing against elite opponents, he showed resilience throughout the tournament, gaining valuable postseason experience while representing the Bears on college wrestling's biggest stage. Despite a challenging draw, Charles competed with intensity and determination, reflecting the program's continued growth and rising competitiveness at the national level.
Key Contributors & Growth
Alongside Harney, Morgan State received key contributions across the lineup, including from experienced wrestlers like Joshua Greenwood, Cort Van, Treshaun Tecson, and Yannis Charles, who competed against top-ranked opponents throughout the season. The Bears consistently showed improvement in dual meets and tournaments, competing with increased confidence against nationally recognized programs.
Program Milestones
- First NCAA Championships appearance since 1997
- First NCAA tournament win in nearly three decades
- Strong showing at the EIWA Championships, with multiple placewinners, the EIWA Champion, and two NCAA qualifiers.
- Morgan State finished in eighth place (64 pts) in the EIWA Championships out of 12 teams.
- Eugene Harney became the program's first-ever champion at the EIWA Championships and the first conference champion since the return of the Morgan State wrestling program.
- Harney was named EIWA Freshman of the Year.
- Harney moved from No. 27 nationally at 149 pounds in the latest InterMat rankings to No. 24.
- Harney was seeded #18 in the 149-pound bracket in the NCAA Championships, while Yannis Charles was seeded #33 in the 157-pound bracket.
- Charles recorded the first win for Morgan State in the NCAA Tournament by defeating #32-seeded Jeb Prechtel (Bellarmine) in the pigtail bout.
- Harney had a 9-match winning streak (Jan. 16 – Feb. 14) before heading into the NCAA Championships.
- Harney captured the 149-pound Bracket at the Cornell Big Red Invitational on Nov. 24.
- Harney rang in the New Year with a 7th Place Finish at Southern Scuffle on Jan. 4.
- Morgan State recorded the first victory of the season on Feb. 14 when they defeated Sacred Heart, 25-14, inside Hill Field House.
- Continued development under head coach Kenny Monday, whose leadership has been instrumental in rebuilding the program.
Building Momentum
Under the guidance of Olympic gold medalist Coach Kenny Monday, Morgan State continues to establish a culture centered on discipline, toughness, and national competitiveness. The 2025–26 season was not just about results—it was about laying a foundation for sustained success.
Looking Ahead
With a young core led by Harney and Charles, a growing recruiting pipeline, the Bears are positioned to build on this momentum. The breakthrough season signals that Morgan State wrestling is no longer just rebuilding—it's rising.
As the program turns the page, expectations are higher, and the Bears are ready to meet them.
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
