Aidan Ruddy’s Cinderella run to the NCAA Division III National Championships came to an end Friday in Rhode Island. 

The former Breckenridge-Wahpeton wrestler and current Concordia College 149-pounder lost his opening match in a grinding 8-6 decision to No. 3-ranked Colby Frost (38-4) of Southern Maine.

Frost went on to finish sixth, clinching his second NCAA All-American honor.

Ruddy (17-12) was eliminated later in the day by Thomas Monn of McDaniel via 14-6 major decision. Monn (33-3) went on to win three matches, eclipsing 100 career wins in the process.

Ruddy, a junior who made incredible strides late in the season, stunned the region with a last-second escape over top-seeded Zach Sato (37-7) to qualify for nationals, emerging from underdog status to the national spotlight.

Ruddy, a former NDHSAA state place winner, will return to Concordia for his final season in 2025-26 with plenty of momentum on the mat.