EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE wrestling strengthened its roster for next season with the addition of five newcomers.
The newest Cougars are Jason Hampton (Joliet, Illinois), Kalias Nazario (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Maximus Hay (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Kiernan Meink (Omaha, Nebraska), and Wil Oberbroeckling (Pleasant Hill, Iowa).
"This is an exciting class where we attacked some needs in the lower to middle weights," said SIUE Associate Head Coach Daryl Thomas. "We were able to get some guys with extremely high ceilings, from very well-respected high school and club programs. They are all high character individuals that really want to help continue to elevate the SIUE brand nationally. This class showed our ability to attract talent not only right here at home in Illinois but from all over the Midwest while also keeping our Florida pipeline open."
Below is a sketch of each newcomer.
Jason Hampton
Joliet, Illinois
Joliet Catholic Academy
Why SIUE
Loved the coaches, campus, and team
Chose SIUE over
Appalachian State, Citadel, Central Michigan, and Northern Colorado
Career Highlights
3x Illinois state championships top four - 4th/2nd/3rd
Preseason Nationals Showcase-2nd
Kalias Nazario
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Mater Lakes Academy
Why SIUE
The campus is beautiful and coaches are great felt like home.
Chose SIUE over
Campbell, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, Bellarmine, and Franklin and Marshall.
Career Highlights
FHSAA state champion
3x FHSAA state finalist
3x NHSCA all American
Preseason Showcase Nationals All-American
11th in the country at 165 on Mat Scouts
19th in country at 157 on flowrestling. #105 in class of 2026 by Mat Scouts
Maximus Hay
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Browndeer High School
Why SIUE
I love the environment and energy, and you can feel the will to win.
Chose SIUE Over
Appalachian State, North Dakota State and Wisconsin
Career Highlights
2x WIAA state finalist
U16 Fargo All American
Junior Fargo blood rounder
2x U17 WTT All American
Previously ranked #14 on Flowrestling.
Kiernan Meink
Omaha, Nebraska
Millard South High School
Why SIUE
Coaches reached out to me, had a path for me, and believed in me.
Choose SIUE over
Campbell
Career Highlights
2x State Champion
Preseason National Champ
Junior Greco All-American
Stampede Champion
Cheesehead Finalist
Ranked 17th on Flowrestling, 23rd on Mat Scouts
#203 in class of 2026 by Mat Scouts
Wil Oberbroeckling
Pleasant Hill Iowa
Southeast Polk High School
Why SIUE
The campus is awesome, facilities are great. I loved the coaches and the team.
Chose SIUE over
Virginia Military Institute, St. Cloud State, Upper Iowa, Wartburg, Grandview, Loras
Career Highlights
Iowa high school state runner up
Cheesehead finalist
Border Brawl Champion
