The Stout family is no stranger to wrestling tournaments. Just days ago, Princeton senior Luke Stout stood on the podium after defeating St. Joseph (Mont.) state champion Mikey Dellagatta in the 197-pound final. The 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship contender then casually took a stroll in the stands up to his grandfather. Once there, the duo tuned in to watch Luke Stout’s brother.

The Stout family members watched on their phones as Pittsburg’s Mac Stout, also a 197-pounder by the way, won the ACC title. With Mac Stout’s win, the family now had two contenders in the race to earn college wrestling’s ultimate prize, a national championship title. Yet, little did they know that the NCAA bracket placements would create interesting situations.

As if competing in the same weight class wasn’t enough, the NCAA Wrestling Championships bracket has possibly set the brothers on a collision course. Baschamania Podcast host Justin Basch elaborated on the possible clash on the mat. “You don’t see this too often! Luke Stout, the 11 seed from Princeton, and Mac Stout, the 6 seed from Pitt, are a potential round 2 matchup!” he wrote.

Having two siblings qualify for the prestigious tournament only to see one of them eliminate the other sounds almost wicked for the Stout family. Yet, there’s a catch, Luke and Mac Stout will only face one another if both wrestlers win their respective Round 1 bouts. “Luke Stout will have #22 Mickey O’Malley (DREX). Mac Stout will have #27 Michael Dellagatta (COR),” added Basch.

If both 197-pounders make it through the opening round, their clash would be historic. While brothers competing at the NCAA level isn’t unheard of, two brothers taking on one another at the D1 NCAA Wrestling Championships is certainly unheard of. Brothers Matt and Nathan Lackman did take on one another at the 2023 Championship final. However, that was in NCAA Division 3. Yet, the Stout brothers may not be losing sleep over meeting one another on the mat.

The NCAA Wrestling Championship contenders are born competitors

This potential clash may turn out to be one of its kind, if it actually happens. Meanwhile, competing with one another is nothing new to the Stout brothers. This became especially apparent after Luke Stout’s reaction to his brother winning the AAC title. “It’s really cool,” Stout said about his brother’s victory as per NJ.com before spilling the beans about their sibling rivalry.

“Growing up we were practice partners, we butted heads, we were on the same team in high school.” said the NCAA Wrestling Championships 197 lb title contender. So trying to outsmart one another on the wrestling mat won’t be anything new. “I’m super grateful we can compete alongside each other (at NCAAs),” added Stout.

What’s more? Luke and Mac Stout are far from the only competitive wrestlers in the Stout family. Their father Bryan Stout was the 1992 NJSIAA 189-pound champion and 4-time All-American. Meanwhile, their uncle John Stout was a renowned Southern head coach, as per the Asbury Park Press. Finally, we come to their cousin, Wyatt Stout.

While Luke and Mac Stout battled to qualify for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Wyatt Stout clinched the 157 lb NJSIAA wrestling title at Atlantic City. So it’s safe to say that in a family full of competitors, if the Princeton and Pittsburgh wrestler meet on the national stage, the only thing different will be the stakes. How do we extend our cheer? May the best brother win?