MSB Fight Club: Mount Saint Joseph Wrestling Reloaded Again — Inside the Gaels’ Outstanding 2025-26 Season

When Maryland wrestling fans talk about the state’s elite programs, Mount Saint Joseph is always part of the conversation.

The Gaels entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations and spent four months proving why they remain one of the premier wrestling programs not only in Maryland, but on the East Coast. Competing against one of the toughest schedules in the region, Mount Saint Joseph piled up dual-meet victories, captured major tournament championships, produced multiple MIAA champions, and battled Archbishop Spalding until the final rounds of the conference tournament.

The result was another season that reinforced the Gaels’ reputation as a wrestling factory.

While the team fell just short of an MIAA championship, Mount Saint Joseph developed multiple college-level wrestlers, earned national recognition at several tournaments, and once again demonstrated the depth that has made the program a perennial contender.

A Fast Start

The season began with Mount Saint Joseph immediately showing its depth.

The Gaels opened with dominant victories over Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Boys’ Latin, outscoring the two opponents by a combined margin of more than 100 points. Those early wins set the tone for a season that would see the Gaels consistently overwhelm opponents with depth throughout the lineup.

Unlike many programs that build records against weaker competition, Mount Saint Joseph challenged itself immediately. The Gaels competed in some of the nation’s toughest tournaments and regularly faced ranked wrestlers from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, and beyond.

That schedule would ultimately prepare the team for the postseason.

Brooklyn Pickett Emerges as a Star

One of the biggest stories of the season was the emergence of Brooklyn Pickett.

Competing primarily at 150 and 157 pounds, Pickett became one of the most consistent wrestlers in the Gaels lineup.

His breakout moment came during the Demolition Duals, where Pickett posted a perfect 7-0 record while helping Mount Saint Joseph win the team title.

Throughout the season, Pickett displayed a combination of offensive attacks and mat awareness that made him one of the most dangerous wrestlers in Maryland.

His success extended beyond Maryland.

At the Beast of the East, one of the nation’s premier high school tournaments, Pickett earned a sixth-place finish against elite national competition. For many wrestlers, simply qualifying for the event is an accomplishment. Placing on the podium confirmed that Pickett belongs among the region’s top competitors.

Every championship-level wrestling team needs a reliable point scorer in the middle weights. Pickett filled that role perfectly for the Gaels.

Jake Tamai Delivered a Championship Season

Few wrestlers on the roster had a stronger postseason than Jake Tamai.

Competing at 132 pounds, Tamai put together one of the best runs of the year and saved his best wrestling for the biggest stage.

At the MIAA Championships, Tamai captured the conference title with an impressive 8-0 major decision in the finals.

The victory was significant for several reasons.

Not only did Tamai secure a championship for himself, but his performance also kept Mount Saint Joseph within striking distance of Archbishop Spalding in the team standings.

Tamai consistently wrestled with confidence throughout the season. His ability to score from neutral position and control matches from the top position made him one of the toughest outs in Maryland.

By season’s end, Tamai had established himself as one of the premier lower-weight wrestlers in the conference.

Tyler Stephens Was Dominant

The Gaels also received a championship-caliber season from Tyler Stephens.

Wrestling at 144 pounds, Stephens became one of the team’s most dependable performers.

His MIAA championship performance highlighted just how consistent he had been throughout the year.

Stephens won the conference title with a convincing 6-0 decision in the finals.

The score might not look flashy, but wrestling fans understand how difficult it is to shut down quality opponents in championship matches.

Stephens controlled pace, position, and scoring opportunities throughout the season.

Those traits often separate good wrestlers from great wrestlers.

Whenever the Gaels needed points in a critical dual meet or tournament round, Stephens consistently delivered.

Connor Allison Produced One of the Season’s Biggest Wins

The MIAA Tournament featured several memorable moments for Mount Saint Joseph.

None may have been bigger than Connor Allison’s championship victory at 150 pounds.

Facing Ryder Kolat in the finals, Allison delivered one of the tournament’s most exciting finishes with a pin.

Pins are valuable in wrestling because they not only secure individual championships but also generate maximum team points.

Allison’s victory energized the Gaels and showcased the aggressive style that has become synonymous with Mount Saint Joseph wrestling.

The ability to finish matches instead of simply winning decisions often separates championship teams from contenders.

Allison’s performance embodied that mentality.

Nathan Matthis Became a Key Contributor

Every successful team needs wrestlers who consistently score points even when they are not winning championships.

Nathan Matthis filled that role perfectly.

Throughout the season, Matthis provided crucial points in dual meets and tournaments.

His ability to advance through brackets and secure placement finishes helped Mount Saint Joseph maintain team scoring pressure throughout the year.

Wrestlers like Matthis are often overlooked outside the program, but coaches understand how important those extra points become during championship races.

Ben Scheiner Continued the Gaels Tradition

Ben Scheiner also emerged as one of the key contributors for Mount Saint Joseph.

Competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country, Scheiner consistently battled elite competition and produced valuable postseason points.

His ability to compete against highly ranked opponents demonstrated the depth of the Gaels lineup.

Opposing teams rarely found easy matchups against Mount Saint Joseph because wrestlers like Scheiner made every weight class competitive.

Kayden Tyler’s Development Was Huge

One of the most encouraging developments for the future of the program was the growth shown by Kayden Tyler.

Tyler steadily improved throughout the season and became a valuable contributor during the postseason.

By February, Tyler looked significantly stronger and more confident than he had during the opening weeks of the season.

Programs remain successful because younger wrestlers develop into future stars.

Tyler appears to be on that path.

The Upper Weights Delivered

Mount Saint Joseph also received strong contributions from Max Solis, William Ennis, CJ Votta and Jonah Selassie.

The upper weights often determine dual meets because bonus points become more common as matches become increasingly physical.

The Gaels consistently found ways to win those battles.

Whether through pins, major decisions or gritty victories, the upper portion of the lineup provided critical support for the championship contenders in the middle weights.

That balance made Mount Saint Joseph dangerous from top to bottom.

Winning the Demolition Duals

One of the highlights of the season came at the Demolition Duals.

Mount Saint Joseph rolled through the competition and finished undefeated.

Victories over Calvert Hall, Chesapeake, William Penn, Northeast, Fairfax, St. Mark’s and New Kent demonstrated the overall strength of the roster.

Winning a tournament like the Demolition Duals requires more than star power.

It requires lineup depth.

The Gaels had it.

Multiple wrestlers posted unbeaten records, while others stepped into difficult situations and earned critical victories.

The event served as an early indication that Mount Saint Joseph would be one of Maryland’s best teams.

Success in MIAA Dual Meets

The MIAA remains one of the toughest high school wrestling conferences in America.

Every week presents another challenge.

The Gaels responded by earning impressive victories against several league rivals.

Wins over Gilman, McDonogh, Calvert Hall, Curley and Loyola showcased the team’s consistency.

The victory over McDonogh was particularly significant because the Eagles entered the season with championship aspirations of their own.

Mount Saint Joseph’s ability to navigate the conference schedule positioned the team for another strong postseason run.

National-Level Competition Matters

One reason Mount Saint Joseph continues producing elite wrestlers is the willingness to compete nationally.

The Beast of the East, War on the Shore and National Prep events exposed the Gaels to some of the best competition in the country.

Those tournaments can be brutal.

Wrestlers often face nationally ranked opponents multiple times in a single weekend.

The experience gained from those events pays dividends later in the season.

By the time MIAA and National Prep competition arrived, Mount Saint Joseph wrestlers had already seen many of the toughest styles and opponents imaginable.

Why This Team Was Special

This was not a team built around one superstar.

This was a team built around depth.

Tamai won a championship.

Stephens won a championship.

Allison won a championship.

Pickett became a national-level placer.

Matthis, Scheiner, Tyler, Solis, Votta, Ennis and Selassie all contributed meaningful points.

That balance allowed the Gaels to remain competitive in every tournament and dual meet.

Few programs in Maryland can match that level of lineup strength.

Looking Ahead

The future remains bright.

Several key contributors are expected to return, and Mount Saint Joseph’s youth pipeline continues producing talented wrestlers.

The Gaels entered the season as contenders.

They finished the season as contenders.

And there is every reason to believe they will enter next season among the favorites to challenge for MIAA and National Prep honors once again.

Final MSB Fight Club Grade: A

Mount Saint Joseph did not capture the MIAA team championship, but the Gaels accomplished nearly everything else. Multiple conference champions, national-level tournament success, dominant dual-meet performances, and tremendous depth made this one of the best wrestling teams in Maryland. The foundation remains firmly in place for another championship run next winter.