ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT senior Josh Harkless was named the 2026 SUNYAC Wrestler of the Year announced by the conference on Thursday (April 2).
 
Harkless won the 285 lb. national championship beating defending champion Mitch Williamson, 2-1 in the title bout.  The 2025 SUNYAC Co-Wrestler of the Year, Harkless is RIT's first national champion since RIT Athletics Hall of Fame member Matt Hamill won in 1999.
 
Harkless was named the Division III Most Dominant Wrestler for 2025-26 and the NCAA Region 2 Most Outstanding Wrestler. He won the 285 lb. title at the SUNYAC Championships and the RIT Invitational.
 
Harkless posted a 46-3 record in 2025-26 which is second-most in a season in program history. His 32 pins this season was a program record for pins in a season.   
 
A three-time All-American, Harkless finished his career third in program history with a 141-23 record. He is third in program history with 141 career wins and second in program history with 83 career pins.