WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg men's basketball is ready for the 2025-2026 season, which begins Nov. 8 on the road against St. Olaf College at 2 p.m. in Northfield, Minn.
 
LAST SEASON
The Knights finished the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 16-11 and 8-8 in American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) play. Wartburg received the six-seed in the ARC Conference Tournament. Wartburg advanced to the second round of the tournament after upsetting Loras College, 96-86, before falling to Nebraska Wesleyan 53-85.

Luke Ladwig returns to the Knights after earning All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in 2024-2025. Ladwig, a senior, averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, which ranked second in the A-R-C. Ladwig placed fourth in field goal percentage at 51.7%.

The A-R-C continued its run as a nationally competitive conference, making it back-to-back years that the conference set four teams to the NCAA Tournament.
 
THIS SEASON
Wartburg returns a balanced and experienced squad, with eight seniors and three juniors. Among the 11 upperclassmen, five made starts last year, including Luke Ladwig, Gabe Trujillo, Brewer Eiklenborg, Austin Bienemann, and Ethan Yungtum.

Nine players made at least ten appearances, with Dominic Braet, Drake Wemark, Lyle Olsen, and Clay Nielsen joining Ladwig, Trujillo, Eiklenborg, Bienemann and Yungtum.

The Knights home opener is Sunday, Nov. 9, as they host Macalester College at 2 p.m. Wartburg will begin A-R-C play at home on Dec. 3 against Luther.
 
LEAL ENTERS SECOND YEAR AT HELM
After leading the Knights to a 16-11 record, head coach Sam Leal prepares for his second season leading the Knights.
 
CAREER WATCH
Luke Ladwig sits 26 assists away from joining the top 10 in career assists.
 
A-R-C PRESEASON POLL
Wartburg was selected to finish sixth in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Poll.


A-R-C Men's Basketball Preseason Poll 
1. Univ. of Dubuque (63) - 7
2. Nebraska Wesleyan (54)
3. Loras (53) - 2
4. Coe (38)
5. Central (35)
6. Wartburg (30)
7. Buena Vista (24)
8. Simpson (15)
9. Luther (12)
 
A-R-C Preview
After a promising season under head coach Sam Leal, Wartburg College returns a talented nucleus ready to make noise in 2025-26. Luke Ladwig, Austin Bienemann, and Gabe Trujillo bring back scoring and experience to the lineup. The Knights' blend of returning veterans and emerging depth has the program trending upward.

"We have a terrific group of young men returning to compete with all of the talented teams in the American Rivers Conference!" Leal said.