CLEVELAND, OH. — On the final day of the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Stephen Little delivered a defining performance that not only secured his place on the podium, but etched his name into program history as the most decorated wrestler in Little Rock wrestling.
In the consolation semifinals, the No. 3-seeded Little faced No. 9 Angelo Posada and set the tone early. Little recorded takedowns in both the first and second periods, controlling the pace throughout the match. With consistent pressure and sharp execution, he pulled away for a 14–4 major decision to advance to the consolation finals.
"After a tough loss last night, I had to reset mentally and focus on getting the next best thing. That was my mindset going into today," said Little.
Later in the session, Little returned to the mat for a rematch against No. 5 Joey Novak, whom he had previously faced earlier in the tournament. This time, Little wasted no time asserting himself, scoring early and maintaining control through each exchange. Wrestling with precision and composure, he secured a 7–4 decision victory.
With the win, Little claimed a third-place finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships — the highest placement of his career and the highest finish in Little Rock program history. The result also solidifies him as the most accomplished wrestler in program history.
"Super proud and really grateful for Stephen and all the guys who helped him get here," said head coach Neil Erisman. "This is another step toward our goals, and I couldn't be happier for him."
The milestone carries added significance for the Trojans. Eight years ago, the program was introduced on this same stage. Now, less than a decade later, Little Rock has produced one of the nation's top finishers, highlighting the rapid growth and development of the program.
Little's performance caps off a historic run for both himself and the Trojans, as the program continues to establish itself on the national stage.
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