Wrestling's Lichter Headed For Nationals After Taking Second At 157 Pounds In Mideast Regional Championships https://t.co/n1T2LhtW3O
— SJF Cardinals (@FisherAthletics) February 28, 2026
By: Mike Hogan, Athletics Communications Coordinator
ITHACA, N.Y. – Junior Paul Lichter secured an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships with a second-place finish at 157 pounds in the Mideast Regional Championships at Ithaca College.
Lichter joins Alex Samson as the second St. John Fisher wrestler to qualify for nationals since the recommencement of the program in 2022-23. This year's NCAA DIII Wrestling Tournament will be held March 13-14 at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Lichter punched his ticket to nationals with a 4-1 victory over SUNY Cortland's Colton Havens in Saturday's semifinal round. He lost to Ryan Smith by major decision in the 157-pound championship bout.
On Friday, Lichter had to win three matches to seal his trip to the semifinals. He earned bonus points for the Cardinals with all three of those wins, beating Centenary's Colin Neale 10-0 by major decision, Pitt-Bradford's Ray Worsen 21-4 by technical fall and SUNY Oswego's Steven Ventricilli 12-0 by major decision.
Fisher had six other wrestlers place in the tournament to earn All-Region II honors, including Carl Santariello (8th place, 125 pounds), Derek Bernardino (7th place, 133 pounds), Trevor Bishop (6th place, 149 pounds), Trevor Sheehan (6th place, 165 pounds), Dylan Devine (6th place, 174 pounds) and Braydon Vandenberg (7th place, 197 pounds). Bishop began Saturday in the 149-pound semifinal after winning both of his matches Friday.
The Cardinals claimed seventh place as a team with 85.5 team points, their best finish in the regional tournament. Their seven total placers also mark a program record.