Arkansas Wrestle (All images via lrtrojans.com)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Wrestling will be part of a strengthened and expanded Pac-12 Conference beginning with the 2026-27 season, as the league announced the addition of four new affiliate members in the sport.
Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State and South Dakota State will join the Pac-12, alongside previously announced Northern Illinois, bringing the conference’s wrestling membership to nine programs. The expansion ensures the league maintains its NCAA automatic qualifier status while significantly elevating the level of competition.
The move further positions Little Rock among a group of nationally competitive programs. At the 2026 NCAA Championships, the future Pac-12 membership combined to send 31 qualifiers to Cleveland, including All-American performances by Little Rock’s Stephen Little and Air Force’s Carter Nogle.
Over the past five seasons, the programs that will make up the new Pac-12 have combined for 166 NCAA Championship qualifiers and 34 All-Americans, underscoring the depth and strength of the conference moving forward.
Little Rock head coach Neil Erisman sees the expansion as a pivotal moment for both the program and the sport.
“Little Rock is excited to be part of this expansion,” Erisman said. “This move strengthens not only our conference, but also the future of wrestling in the West. We’re welcoming outstanding programs and elite coaching staffs — it’s a defining moment for the Pac-12.”
The addition of four accomplished programs enhances an already competitive landscape, with each bringing recent NCAA success and consistent postseason presence. Combined with Little Rock’s continued rise on the national stage, the conference is positioned to be one of the premier wrestling leagues in the country.
For the Trojans, the expansion represents more than just growth — it signals continued momentum as the program competes at the highest level and builds toward sustained national success.
