After a resurgence in the 2022-23 season the Northwest College wrestling team will return two All-Americans to its roster this season including a defending national champion, while also expecting the return of Kendell Cummings after injuries sustained in a bear attack kept him off the mat a season ago.

The top returner for the team this season will be Aziz Fayzullaev, who is back from Uzbekistan to try and earn another national title after finishing on top at 174 pounds last season.

Fayzullaev will be competing at a higher weight class this season, moving up to 184 pounds to mirror the weight class he is anticipating wrestling late in the spring as he attempts to make the Uzbekistan roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It is exciting to have him back,” coach Jim Zeigler said. “That fits better for his international weight which is 86 kilograms, which is about 185. Being up at 184 helps him get stronger for that — he still has plans of being in Paris.”

Fayzullaev may not be available at the very beginning of the season, having a minor procedure done recently which may sideline him until the middle of November.

“He should be on the mat in the next couple of weeks,” Zeigler said. “He’s good now … Our planned date is to have him compete Nov. 16, but that is two weeks’ past where his expectations are and he will probably be a week ahead of it.”

The other All-American returning for Northwest will be Cody Pinkerton, who finished fifth at heavyweight last season.

“Cody looks great. He has really improved,” Zeigler said.

Also returning to the mat this year will be Cummings, who has recovered from his injuries suffered in a grizzly bear attack just over a year ago on Oct. 15, 2022.

“I’m most excited that Kendell is going to be wrestling at 141 this year,” Zeigler said. “What a tough year for him. He has battled back from one of the most incredible stories anybody can ever imagine. To be fully recovered, cleared and able to compete this season is exciting.”

A returning starter for the Trappers at 165 pounds is Orrin Jackson (also involved in the mauling incident), alongside Gavin Carter who filled in at times at 184 pounds and 197 pounds.

Two additional returners from last year’s roster are Josh Womack at 197 pounds alongside Leighton Jensen at 285 pounds.

“Excited about all of those guys,” Zeigler said. 

They will lead a roster that has added 10 incoming freshmen and transfers to help the Trappers in the upcoming 2023-24 season.