WICHITA, Kan. - Intimidation doesn't appear to be an issue for Lucas Hall.

A sophomore at Midway, Hall is about to take part in the biggest event of his collegiate career, when he competes at this week's NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championships in Wichita, Kan. He earned the spot thanks to his seventh-place finish at 141 pounds at the Mid-South Championships on Feb. 13.

But if the spotlight of the national tournament is bringing about any nerves, Hall is very good at hiding them.

"Nationals, a dual at a small school...whatever it is, it's just another wrestling match," he said. "I try not to think too much about (things like) 'Oh, this is such a huge match, I'm wrestling a top-five guy in the nation.' I just forget about all that, stay focused and just wrestle."

Hall does seem to have good reason to trust his preparation, as he's being trained by someone who has reached the sport's highest peak very recently.

First-year Midway head coach Cole Smith was a 165-pound national champion at Cumberland (Tenn.) just three years ago, and Hall credits his coach for helping him prepare both mentally and physically for the week ahead.

He's also not new to facing the nation's best wrestlers.

Throughout the year, Hall has wrestled five matches against guys currently ranked in the top-20 of their weight classes. This includes three combined matches against Sammy Shires of Cumberland and Adrian Ayala of Lindsey Wilson, who enter nationals ranked second and third respectively at 141 pounds.

"I've already gone through the season competing against a lot of really good guys," said Hall, one of 46 Mid-South Conference wrestlers to qualify for nationals. "I've gone through it already."

As for his belief in himself...

"I'm confident," Hall says. "I'm always confident.

The 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling National Championships will be held at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Wichita, Kan. Thursday through Saturday.

Hall, who is unseeded, will open against No. 10 Michel Mauro of Life (Ga.).