LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Wrestling will welcome eight freshmen from across the country to the Institute for the 2026-27 campaign.
 
The Keydets went 6-9 overall in 2025-26 and placed seventh in the Southern Conference Championship with the most points scored in the tournament since 2010. Despite losing a decorated crew due to graduation, head coach Jim Gibson and company will add eight wranglers from five different states to the roster.
 
"We are excited to welcome this talented group to our program," says Gibson. "They bring character, work ethic, and competitive drive we are looking for. We believe they will play an important role in the future of our team."
 
Merritt Clinton | 165 lbs | Fairfax, Virginia
Clinton joins the Keydets after wrestling for two years at Westfield High School. During his stint with the Bulldogs, Clinton was named first-team All-State and crowned state champion at 175 lbs. In his high school career, the Fairfax native was a three-time state finalist. 
 
Kaden Curry | 197 lbs | Laguna Niguel, California
Coming all the way from the West Coast is the dual-sport athlete in Curry, who lettered in wrestling and ice hockey at St. John Bosco High School. Curry was a four-time varsity letterwinner in wrestling, moving up to 215 lbs his senior season and clinching a state tournament bid. He would help the Braves earn state and national recognition, ranking third in California and eighth nationally.
 
Caleb Flanagan | 133 lbs | Fort Ashby, West Virginia
The Frankfort High School product was a four-year letterwinner, earning a conference title and was a regional and state runner-up. Flanagan helped the Falcons place second in the conference.
 
Jared Goodson | 133 lbs | Poquoson, Virginia
The Poquoson native comes to Lexington after a successful four-year stint at Poquoson High School. Goodson was a four-time district, regional, and state champion. He was named the 2025 and 2026 District Wrestler of the Year, 2026 Class 2A Wrestler of the Year, and 2026 Peninsula Wrestler of the Year. Goodson racked up a 146-16 high school record, which led to two state titles, four regional crowns, and a pair of district championships for the Bull Islanders.
 
Lincoln Kelley | 149 lbs | Leesburg, Virginia
Kelley is a graduate of Loudoun County High School, where he lettered four times in wrestling. He was a three-time state champion and received national recognition as an Escape the Rock All-American and Beast of the East All-American. During his freshman campaign, Kelley placed seventh and earned All-America honors at NHSCA Nationals. The Leesburg native led the Captains to back-to-back runner-up marks in the state tournament.
 
Chris LaLonde | 149 lbs | Johnstown, Colorado
A Roosevelt High School product, LaLonde comes to VMI as a two-time state champion and two-time runner-up. He piloted the Roughriders to a pair of state runner-up finishes.
 
EJ Sheeran | 141 lbs | Lodi, California
Sheeran travels cross-country to the Institute after spending two years with Pitman High School, helping his squad earn a sectional title.
 
Ryan Willi | 165 lbs | Lincroft, New Jersey
While a two-time Team Captain at Middletown High School South, Willi produced three All-Division seasons and was ranked in the top 10 in New Jersey at 165 lbs. He accumulated 120 wins in his career with two state-qualifying seasons, three Shore Conference medals, and two Sam Cali medals. Willi helped the Eagles win the division in 2025 and the district in 2026.
 
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.