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Photo: Dom Gagne

Longtime Simon Fraser coach Abdou retires

Justin Abdou is retiring after a wrestling and coaching career spanning nearly four decades. He spent 25 years as a head coach at Simon Fraser University, leading the men's program from 2001 to 2025 and the women's program from 2017 to 2026. Abdou also served as an SFU assistant coach for several years while still competing.

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Sponseller resigns after six seasons as Ashland head wrestling coach

Colt Sponseller has resigned as head wrestling coach at Ashland University after six seasons to join his family's business, the school announced.
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Montreat College names Baynard head women's wrestling coach

Montreat College has named Cheryl Baynard as its head women's wrestling coach, the athletics department announced in late June. Baynard, a North Carolina native, becomes the fourth full-time head coach in program history and begins her duties immediately.
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Utah Valley signs twin transfers Marcus, Moses Espinoza-Owens from SDSU

Utah Valley has signed twin transfers Marcus and Moses Espinoza-Owens from South Dakota State, head coach Adam Hall announced. The move marks the brothers' return to Utah, where they each won three state titles at Viewmont High School before spending three seasons in Brookings.

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sponseller

Sponseller resigns after six seasons as Ashland head wrestling coach

Colt Sponseller has resigned as head wrestling coach at Ashland University after six seasons to join his family's business, the school announced.
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Montreat College names Baynard head women's wrestling coach

Montreat College has named Cheryl Baynard as its head women's wrestling coach, the athletics department announced in late June. Baynard, a North Carolina native, becomes the fourth full-time head coach in program history and begins her duties immediately.
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West Virginia adds program's all-time wins leader Hall as assistant coach

Peyton Hall, the all-time winningest wrestler in West Virginia University history, has joined the Mountaineers' coaching staff as an assistant coach.
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Gavin receives contract extension through 2030 at Pittsburgh

Keith Gavin has received a contract extension through 2030 at Pittsburgh, the program announced. Gavin, who returned to his alma mater as head coach in 2017, has compiled a 79-50 dual meet record with the Panthers, including a 2023 ACC Co-Dual Championship.
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Utah Valley signs twin transfers Marcus, Moses Espinoza-Owens from SDSU

Utah Valley has signed twin transfers Marcus and Moses Espinoza-Owens from South Dakota State, head coach Adam Hall announced. The move marks the brothers' return to Utah, where they each won three state titles at Viewmont High School before spending three seasons in Brookings.
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Longtime Simon Fraser coach Abdou retires

Justin Abdou is retiring after a wrestling and coaching career spanning nearly four decades. He spent 25 years as a head coach at Simon Fraser University, leading the men's program from 2001 to 2025 and the women's program from 2017 to 2026. Abdou also served as an SFU assistant coach for several years while still competing.
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Iowa, UNI renew rivalry with 'Dual in the Dome' set for Dec. 11

Iowa and Northern Iowa will renew one of college wrestling's longest-dormant in-state rivalries on Dec. 11, when the Hawkeyes travel to Cedar Falls for "Dual in the Dome" at the UNI-Dome, presented by Journeymen Wrestling.
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Edinboro adds Fechko as assistant wrestling coach

Edinboro men's wrestling has hired Craig "Boomer" Fechko as assistant coach, head coach Matt Hill announced Monday. Fechko joins the Scots after serving as associate head coach at John Carroll in 2025-26. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as head coach at Lake Erie College before returning to the assistant coach ranks.
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Hill College receives NJCAA grant to launch men's, women's wrestling programs

Hill College has received a $2,000 NJCAA Sport Opportunity grant to fund the addition of men's and women's wrestling programs, the college announced. The NJCAA Foundation has provided Sport Opportunity grants since 2018 to support the addition, growth and sustainability of sports programs at the community college level.
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Northern Michigan to discontinue Greco-Roman program in 2027

Northern Michigan University is discontinuing its National Training Site program for Greco-Roman wrestling, effective June 30, 2027. Athletes were notified via email Friday morning.
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Santoro retires after 18 seasons as Lehigh head coach, Dillon named successor

Pat Santoro is stepping down as head coach of Lehigh wrestling after 18 seasons leading the program, the school announced. Associate head coach Brad Dillon, a former Lehigh All-American, will take over for the 2026-27 season and become the ninth head coach in program history.
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NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships returning to Coralville

Coralville, Iowa, is keeping women's college wrestling's biggest weekend. The 2027 NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships will return to Xtream Arena on March 5-6.
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NAIA All-American Perez signs with Iowa State

Iowa State women's wrestling has added a proven NAIA commodity to its growing roster, signing 110-pound transfer Avy Perez out of William Penn. She joins what head coach Alli St. John has quietly assembled into one of the most credential-laden inaugural rosters in women's college wrestling history.
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Concord University names Edwards first head women's wrestling coach

Concord University has named Bill Edwards as its first head women's wrestling coach, athletic director Luke Duffy announced Tuesday. Edwards comes to Concord after serving as head wrestling coach at Abingdon High School in Abingdon, Virginia, since 2019.
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Waynesburg names Castro head women's wrestling coach

Waynesburg University has named Leilah Castro as head women's wrestling coach, director of athletics Tim Fusina announced. Castro comes to Waynesburg after two seasons as an assistant at Otterbein, where she helped build the women's wrestling program from the ground up in its first two years of existence.
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NCAA approves five-year eligibility model

The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a sweeping eligibility overhaul Tuesday, granting all D-I athletes five years of competition while eliminating redshirt seasons and injury waivers under the new framework.
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Bellevue University signs NJCAA national champs Phillips and Rubio

Bellevue University's inaugural women's wrestling recruiting class is taking shape. The Bruins have signed a pair of NJCAA national champions in Keyahna Phillips and Rosalia Rubio.
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NCAA champ McEnelly takes on UFC fighter, PSU great Nickal at RAF 12

2026 NCAA champion Max McEnelly will face Bo Nickal in a light heavyweight freestyle bout at Real American Freestyle Wrestling's RAF 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Workinger named head women's wrestling coach at Big Bend

Big Bend Community College has named Shannon Workinger as head coach of its women's wrestling program. Workinger is an NAIA national finalist and three-time All-American, competing for Menlo and Evergreen State.
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Mission College names Kirk head coach for inaugural wrestling season

Mission College has named Dustin Kirk as head coach of its inaugural wrestling program, the school announced. Kirk will lead both the men's and women's programs when they begin competing in the 2026-27 season.
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Iowa State secures commitment from U17 world medalist Poalillo

Iowa State women's wrestling has secured a commitment from one of the nation's top high school wrestlers, landing New Jersey standout Ella Poalillo. Poalillo, a U17 world medalist, enters her senior season as one of the premier recruits in the Class of 2027.
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Two-time NAIA national champ Adekoye transfers to Iowa State

Iowa State women's wrestling has added another proven collegiate champion, securing a commitment from two-time NAIA national champion Jumoke Adekoye of Dickinson State.
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Prescott resigns as Central Methodist head women's wrestling coach

Tim Prescott has resigned as head women's wrestling coach at Central Methodist University after two seasons leading the Eagles program, he announced Monday.