PROVIDENCE, RI – Wilkes University wrestling standout Cameron Butka (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) saw his stellar career come to an end in the national final as the senior finished in second place at 197-pounds at the 2025 NCAA Championships Saturday night at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. It marked the second straight year Butka earned All-American honors, after finishing fourth as a junior in 2023-24. 
 
Butka fell 11-3 in the national final bout to No. 1 seed Massoma Endene of Wartburg who claimed his third national title. Endene wasted little time taking a lead with a takedown nine seconds into the first period. Butka used an escape to make it 3-1 before another takedown midway through the first period pushed the advantage to 6-1. Another Butka escape finished the first period with Endene leading 6-2.
 
Endene chose bottom to begin the second period and quickly escaped to take a 7-2 lead before his third takedown of the bout made it 10-3 as the second period ended. Butka chose bottom to begin the third period and used an escape to cut the lead to 10-3, but Endene proved too much for a full comeback as the three-time champion added riding time for the major decision win.
 
Butka earned his way to the finals with another fine performance in the semifinals earlier in the day posting a 4-2 decision over the No. 6 seed Joseph Petrella of Baldwin Wallace. After a scoreless first period, Butka used an escape and takedown to take a 4-1 lead, a lead he would hold onto through the final seconds of the second period and through the final two minutes of the third. Petrella chose bottom to start the third and was able to escape for another point, but Butka held on two the two-point advantage on way to the championship bout later in the night.
 
Butka concludes one of the finest careers in the storied Wilkes wrestling history. He stands as the school's all-time leader in wins with a 137-24 career mark. He also set the school record for wins in a season after his semifinal victory finishing with a 42-3 mark in his senior campaign. He finished his career as a two-time All-American at 197-pounds.
 
Butka's Road to the Finals
First Round: won by decision (8-2) over Bryce McCloskey
Quarterfinals: won by decision (8-1) over Dylan Harr
Semifinals: won by decision (4-2) over Joseph Petrella
Finals: lost by major decision (11-3) by Massoma Endene