Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh Announces Men's Wrestling Incoming Class
7/20/2026 1:42:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men's wrestling welcomes six newcomers to the program as part of its 2026 recruiting class. The newest Mountain Hawks include five incoming first-years and one transfer. The newcomers include four wrestlers from Pennsylvania who combined to win seven state championships and a pair of wrestlers from New York, who totaled three state titles.
"Our coaching staff prioritized securing the region's premier local talent," said Lawrence White Head Coach Brad Dillon. "By successfully tapping into national high school powerhouses like Bethlehem Catholic and Faith Christian Academy, we have added a group that boasts a combined eleven state titles. Headlining the newcomers is Keanu Dillard, who brings experience winning on the world stage. While veteran transfer Jayden Scott arrives with NCAA tournament experience. Though smaller in numbers, this group provides our program with an immediate infusion of elite talent."
The incoming class has already received national recognition, with MatScouts' Recruiting Bible ranking it 11th and InterMat ranking the class at No. 12.
Information on the six newcomers can be found below. The newcomers will join a returning core of Mountain Hawks that includes three EIWA champions and six wrestlers that have previously qualified for the NCAA Championships.
Dean Bechtold – 285 – Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts – Arts and Sciences
Heavyweight Dean Bechtold comes to Lehigh after winning back-to-back PIAA AAA state titles in 2025 and 2026. He is a four-time state place winner, who posted a 127-15 record with 85 falls. Bechtold won a Super 32 title and was a five-time Fargo All-American.
Keanu Dillard – 125/133 – Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic – IBE
Four-time state champion Keanu Dillard makes the short trip from Bethlehem Catholic to Lehigh. The District XI Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Lehigh Valley Live Athlete of the Year, Dillard went 147-10 in his high school career. Dillard was a U17 US Open champion and won a bronze medal at U17 Worlds.
Tavio Hoose – 184 – Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central – Arts and Sciences
The third Hoose sibling to attend Lehigh, Tavio is a two-time state champion and three-time state place winner for Southwestern Central in New York. He also placed twice at the Powerade Tournament. Brother Dontae wrestled at Lehigh, graduating in May, while brother Neves competes in track and field at Lehigh.
Jayden Scott – 149 – Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta (Univ. of North Carolina) – Technical Entrepreneurship
New York native Jayden Scott comes to Lehigh after four seasons at North Carolina. Scott posted a 50-35 record for the Tar Heels, placing twice at the ACC Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Championships at 141 in 2025. Scott has at least one more year of eligibility for the Mountain Hawks.
Mason Wagner – 157 – Harleysville, Pa./Faith Christian Academy – Arts and Sciences
Middleweight Mason Wagner is one of two incoming wrestlers from Faith Christian Academy. Wagner is a two-time state place winner with third and fifth place finishes to his credit. He won 101 bouts including three district championships and two regional titles.
Cael Weidemoyer – 197 – Telford, Pa./Faith Christian Academy – Business
Three-time Pennsylvania place winner Cael Weidemoyer capped his high school career with a state title at 215 in 2026. He also owns second and third place finishes at the state tournament, competing for Faith Christian Academy. Weidemoyer won 110 high school bouts and was a runner-up at the Walsh Ironman.
Follow Lehigh Wrestling on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
"Our coaching staff prioritized securing the region's premier local talent," said Lawrence White Head Coach Brad Dillon. "By successfully tapping into national high school powerhouses like Bethlehem Catholic and Faith Christian Academy, we have added a group that boasts a combined eleven state titles. Headlining the newcomers is Keanu Dillard, who brings experience winning on the world stage. While veteran transfer Jayden Scott arrives with NCAA tournament experience. Though smaller in numbers, this group provides our program with an immediate infusion of elite talent."
The incoming class has already received national recognition, with MatScouts' Recruiting Bible ranking it 11th and InterMat ranking the class at No. 12.
Information on the six newcomers can be found below. The newcomers will join a returning core of Mountain Hawks that includes three EIWA champions and six wrestlers that have previously qualified for the NCAA Championships.
Dean Bechtold – 285 – Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts – Arts and Sciences
Heavyweight Dean Bechtold comes to Lehigh after winning back-to-back PIAA AAA state titles in 2025 and 2026. He is a four-time state place winner, who posted a 127-15 record with 85 falls. Bechtold won a Super 32 title and was a five-time Fargo All-American.
Keanu Dillard – 125/133 – Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic – IBE
Four-time state champion Keanu Dillard makes the short trip from Bethlehem Catholic to Lehigh. The District XI Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Lehigh Valley Live Athlete of the Year, Dillard went 147-10 in his high school career. Dillard was a U17 US Open champion and won a bronze medal at U17 Worlds.
Tavio Hoose – 184 – Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central – Arts and Sciences
The third Hoose sibling to attend Lehigh, Tavio is a two-time state champion and three-time state place winner for Southwestern Central in New York. He also placed twice at the Powerade Tournament. Brother Dontae wrestled at Lehigh, graduating in May, while brother Neves competes in track and field at Lehigh.
Jayden Scott – 149 – Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta (Univ. of North Carolina) – Technical Entrepreneurship
New York native Jayden Scott comes to Lehigh after four seasons at North Carolina. Scott posted a 50-35 record for the Tar Heels, placing twice at the ACC Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Championships at 141 in 2025. Scott has at least one more year of eligibility for the Mountain Hawks.
Mason Wagner – 157 – Harleysville, Pa./Faith Christian Academy – Arts and Sciences
Middleweight Mason Wagner is one of two incoming wrestlers from Faith Christian Academy. Wagner is a two-time state place winner with third and fifth place finishes to his credit. He won 101 bouts including three district championships and two regional titles.
Cael Weidemoyer – 197 – Telford, Pa./Faith Christian Academy – Business
Three-time Pennsylvania place winner Cael Weidemoyer capped his high school career with a state title at 215 in 2026. He also owns second and third place finishes at the state tournament, competing for Faith Christian Academy. Weidemoyer won 110 high school bouts and was a runner-up at the Walsh Ironman.
Follow Lehigh Wrestling on X/Twitter and Instagram and like on Facebook for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
285
/ Men's Wrestling125/133
/ Men's Wrestling184
/ Men's Wrestling149
/ Men's Wrestling157
/ Men's Wrestling197
/ Men's WrestlingFriday, February 13
Wednesday, January 21
Wednesday, October 29
Wednesday, March 12
