Ersland Signs National JUCO Athlete of the Year

2026 NJCAA national champion Austin Richens is headed to West Lafayette. May 20, 2026 by Brook Weber WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue wrestling head coach Tony Ersland announced the signing of junior college transfer Austin Richens on Wednesday. Richens, a highly touted heavyweight who spent the past two years at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., won the 2026 NJCAA national championship at 285 pounds in March to close his sophomore season. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the NJCAA tournament and earned the prestigious David Rowlands Award, given annually to the top male JUCO athlete in the country among…