Ashland University senior 285-pounder
Wyatt Bailey has become one of the top wrestlers in his weight class in NCAA Division II.
It has been a journey of hard work, patience and growth for Bailey – one of the key cogs for the No. 10 Eagles as they seek a Great Midwest three-peat and five conference titles in six years at the league championships on Saturday (Jan. 31) at Kentucky Wesleyan.
"It's pretty exciting. It means a lot," Bailey said. "It's always one of our main goals."
Bailey, a three-year starter for AU at 285, has saved his best season for last. This winter, the No. 7-ranked grappler at his weight class leads the Eagles in wins (a 24-9 record), is second in NCAA Division II with 11 pins, and has added three technical falls and two major decisions.
"He's been Mr. Reliable when it comes to filling in the heavyweight spot for us," said Ashland head coach
Colt Sponseller. "That reliability, that consistency in him going out there and competing every time has been great.
"His ability to score bonus points is awesome."
Not bad for someone who had a hard time getting mat time his first two seasons at Ashland.
Bailey came to campus from Dowagiac High School in Michigan – not knowing anything about Ashland.
"My high school coach sat down with me one day and had a list of colleges, and Ashland was on there," Bailey said. "It was a random town in Ohio, honestly. I took a risk."
After going 6-6 and 3-6, respectively, in his first two years in the program, Bailey has run off three consecutive 20-plus-win seasons since – and made his first NCAA Division II Championships appearance last winter.
"Realizing why I actually came here. Finding my purpose on the team," Bailey said about the turnaround. "I didn't come here to be a practice dummy. I didn't come here to just get somebody else better. I wanted to be the best.
"It took me a while to mature, actually."
Said Sponseller, "I talk a lot about how consistency is key. Showing up is one thing, but putting in the effort every day in every walk of life, whether it be academics, whether it be athletics, whether it be doing a job.
"We've seen that maturity and that growth in all those areas with Wyatt. That process isn't done. The season is not done."
And during that stretch, Bailey has become quite the closer. Three of his decisions at Kates Gymnasium in recent years have directly given Ashland dual victories:
- Feb. 11, 2024 vs. then-No. 11 Grand Valley State – pin in 25 seconds for a 24-22 win.
- Jan. 17, 2025 vs. then-No. 2 Glenville State – pin in 5:35 for a 22-20 win.
- Jan. 19, 2025 vs. then-No. 6 McKendree – 6-5 decision for a 19-18 win on criteria.
"I feel like the man afterwards, honestly," Bailey admitted. "The guys, they know I'm going to get it done. They trust me, and I've got to trust myself. We're all doing it together."
As for this year's conference championship, Sponseller is looking forward to the challenge of having Bailey and the entire team go after yet another Great Midwest title.
"I think it's just a matter of guys going out and doing their job," he said. "You're a product of the time you've accumulated and all that. It's a matter of believing in what you're doing, believe in yourself when you step out there and do your job.
"We're very capable of winning another one."
