SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior
Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown), the nation's fifth-ranked 285-pound wrestler and the lone remaining competing member of the 21st-ranked Kutztown University wrestling team at the NCAA DII National Championships, concluded his season with a fifth-place performance on Saturday afternoon at the Danny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Quakertown, Pa., native dominated his consolation quarterfinal opponent to open the day, collecting an 11-2, major decision victory to secure at least a sixth-place finish. Retter ran into third-ranked Zach Glazler of St. Cloud State in the consolation semis, and despite dropping a 4-0 decision, was able to recover and finish against No. 16 James Bankston of UNC Pembroke with an 8-1 victory in his final competition of the season.
This marks Retter's second wrestling All-American honor of his career, as he finished fifth place a season ago after reaching the semifinal round of the championship bracket in the 2025 edition of the tournament.
The team finished 20th overall on the national stage, the fourth time in five seasons since the pandemic-cancelled 2020-21 season that KU has finished inside the top 20. Nebraska-Kearney (83 pts.) repeated as national champions, while Wisconsin Parkside (78 pts.) and Central Oklahoma (76.5 pts.) followed closely behind. Conference foe Gannon, who entered the tournament as the nation's top team, finished ninth (45.5 pts.), while national power Pitt-Johnstown placed 13th with 37 pts.
Saturday's competition marked the end of the road for 25-year head coach
Robert Fisher, Kutztown wrestling's all-time winningest coach. He has directed all but a handful of Kutztown's All-American grapplers and has coached three grapplers to five individual championships. His teams never slowed down at the end of his career, as each of the past two seasons has featured a program-record six individuals representing the Golden Bears on the national stage. Coach Fisher ends his career with a 258-116-2 dual record, winning a program-best 68.6 percent of his duals during his time leading the Maroon and Gold.
With Fisher's departure and a number of upperclassmen moving on at season's end, the Golden Bears hope to rely on strong returning student-athletes, a robust recruiting class and a solid head coach to continue the success it has experienced under its legendary coach.
NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 | SIOUX FALLS, S.D. | DENNY SANFORD PREMIER CENTER
#21 KUTZTOWN RESULTS
TEAM: 20th (17 pts.)
285 LBS.
#5 Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown)
CQF: Won by major dec. over Cale Gray (UINDY), 11-2
CSF: Loss by dec. to #3 Zach Glazler (SCSU), 4-0
5th Place: Won by dec. over #16 James Bankston (UNCP), 8-1
FIFTH PLACE - ALL-AMERICAN
