Johnson City’s Wattad leads Lander to historic national title run, falls just short in championship game
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (WJHL) — Johnson City native and former Science Hill standout Omar Wattad guided Lander to a historic season, leading the Bearcats to the NCAA Division II national championship game for the first time in program history. Lander’s remarkable run came to an end Sunday with an 84-61 loss to Gannon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, snapping a 15-game winning streak. The Bearcats finished the year 30-6, marking the best season in school history.
Despite preseason expectations of a fifth-place finish in the Peach Belt Conference, Wattad’s squad captured both the regular-season and tournament titles before making a deep postseason push. Lander advanced to its first Final Four and earned a statement win over defending national champion Nova Southeastern to reach the title game. “It’s a very sad locker room … but the reason they are sad is they put their heart out there for nine months,” Wattad told a reporter for the Peach Belt Conference.
“It’s part of becoming a man. ” The Bearcats’ postseason run and 30-win campaign cemented the 2025-26 season as one of the most memorable in program and conference history. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc.
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