The Open Mat

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Hiram promotes Kirst to head women's wrestling coach

Hiram College has promoted Ryan Kirst to head women's wrestling coach, the athletics department announced. Kirst becomes the third head coach in program history, joining Andy Vogel (2021-22) and Christy Powell (2022-26).

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Kersten named head coach at Southeastern CC

Southeastern Community College has named Kolton Kersten as head coach of both its men's and women's wrestling programs, Athletics Director John McVey announced.
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Northeastern State adds Heindselman as assistant coach

Northeastern State has added Josh Heindselman as an assistant wrestling coach, head coach Terry Pack announced. Heindselman joins the RiverHawks staff while pursuing his medical degree.
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Barber retires as Air Force head coach, transitions to athletic department role

Sam Barber has retired as head wrestling coach at the United States Air Force Academy after 18 seasons leading the program, the school announced Wednesday. Barber has been named Associate Athletic Director for Development and Strategy, transitioning from the mat to a role focused on strategic initiatives across the Air Force Athletics department.

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Iowa's Larramendy wins gold at Rankings Series event in Hungary

Reese Larramendy won a gold medal on day three of the 2026 Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial, leading a trio of U.S. medalists at the event in Budapest, Hungary. Larramendy defeated fellow American Jennifer Page in the 65-kilogram final, while Abigail Nette narrowly fell in the 59 kilograms gold-medal match.
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Kersten named head coach at Southeastern CC

Southeastern Community College has named Kolton Kersten as head coach of both its men's and women's wrestling programs, Athletics Director John McVey announced.
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Northeastern State adds Heindselman as assistant coach

Northeastern State has added Josh Heindselman as an assistant wrestling coach, head coach Terry Pack announced. Heindselman joins the RiverHawks staff while pursuing his medical degree.
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Hiram promotes Kirst to head women's wrestling coach

Hiram College has promoted Ryan Kirst to head women's wrestling coach, the athletics department announced. Kirst becomes the third head coach in program history, joining Andy Vogel (2021-22) and Christy Powell (2022-26).
barber

Barber retires as Air Force head coach, transitions to athletic department role

Sam Barber has retired as head wrestling coach at the United States Air Force Academy after 18 seasons leading the program, the school announced Wednesday. Barber has been named Associate Athletic Director for Development and Strategy, transitioning from the mat to a role focused on strategic initiatives across the Air Force Athletics department.
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Kean names Hart head women's wrestling coach

Kean University has named Barry Hart as head women's wrestling coach, the school announced. Hart comes to Kean after six seasons at New Jersey City University, where he spent two years as the top assistant before serving four seasons as head coach.
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Penn adds NCAA champion Byrd, McKiernan to coaching staff

The University of Pennsylvania has added NCAA champion Lucas Byrd and Jake McKiernan as assistant coaches for the 2026-27 season, head coach Matt Valenti announced.
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Buschow hired to lead Nebraska Wesleyan

Nebraska Wesleyan University has hired Dylan Buschow, who spent the last five seasons on the coaching staff at Southwest Minnesota State University, most recently as head assistant wrestling coach, as the next head coach of the Prairie Wolves wrestling program.
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Altman named head coach at St. John Fisher

St. John Fisher University's wrestling program has found its next leader, as Zach Altman has been hired as head coach after a national search. Altman arrives after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant at Adrian College and the 2024-25 campaign as head coach at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
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Hayden signs with University of the Cumberlands

Nevaeh "Kali" Hayden, one of the most decorated wrestlers to come through the NJCAA ranks in recent years, has signed to continue her career at the University of the Cumberlands. Hayden won a national title in 2025, finished as a two-time NJCAA All-American and helped lead Indian Hills to back-to-back national titles.
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Four-time national finalist Foeller joins Wartburg staff

Wartburg College has added a four-time national finalist to its women's wrestling coaching staff, hiring Jaycee Foeller as an assistant coach for the Knights. Foeller closes out a decorated collegiate career that spanned three programs.
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Kutztown names two-time national champ Haddad head coach

Kutztown University has named Ziad Haddad as head wrestling coach, the school announced Friday. Haddad, a two-time NCAA Division II national champion and Kutztown Athletics Hall of Famer, becomes the eighth head coach in program history and succeeds Robert Fisher, who is retiring after 25 seasons leading the program.
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Iowa State signs NAIA national finalist Falcon

Iowa State's fast-growing women's wrestling roster added another proven scorer, with Anaya Falcon signing on to join the Cyclones as the program builds toward its inaugural season. Falcon arrives with one of the more decorated resumes in the sport. She was an NAIA national finalist as a freshman in 2025.
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William Penn names Woods head women's wrestling coach, director of wrestling

William Penn University has named Gary Woods II as head women's wrestling coach and director of wrestling, athletics director Grant Farris announced. In addition to leading the women's program, Woods will oversee operations for the men's wrestling team.
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Sioux Falls adds Sekona as assistant women's wrestling coach

The University of Sioux Falls has named Jayleen Sekona as assistant women's wrestling coach, head coach Griffin Osing announced. Sekona comes to Sioux Falls after a decorated career at Colorado Mesa University, where she established herself as one of the top women's wrestlers in the NCAA.
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Iowa State adds three transfers

The Iowa State women's wrestling program has signed three more athletes. Joining the Cyclones are William Penn transfers Tatiana Paragas and Avy Perez, as well as Oklahoma State transfer Kailey Benson, head coach Alli St. John announced.
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Michigan brings back two-time NCAA champion Russell as assistant coach

Michigan wrestling has rehired Kellen Russell as an assistant coach, head coach Sean Bormet announced Wednesday. Russell, a two-time NCAA champion and two-time Michigan Male Athlete of the Year, previously served on the Wolverines' staff for seven seasons from 2015-21.

Ohio adds Morrill as assistant wrestling coach in return to Athens

Ohio wrestling has added Eric Morrill as an assistant coach, head coach Joel Greenlee announced Monday. It marks Morrill's second stint on the Ohio staff, having previously served in the same role from 2015-18.

Penn State's Ono to wrestle Ohio State's Davino at RAF 12 in Cleveland

Masanosuke Ono will return to competition for the first time since the 2024 World Championships when he takes on Ben Davino in the bantamweight class at RAF 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland.
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Penn State's Mesenbrink named a finalist for ESPY

Add another line to Mitchell Mesenbrink's growing list of postseason honors. The two-time NCAA champion and reigning Hodge Trophy winner has been named one of four finalists for the ESPY's male college athlete of the year award.

Avila names Infranca head men's wrestling coach

Avila University has named Matt Infranca as head men's wrestling coach, the school announced.
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Lehigh women's wrestling adds Albrecht, Ciliotta to coaching staff

Lehigh women's wrestling head coach Brazel Marquez has announced the additions of Kaylynn Albrecht and Justin Ciliotta as assistant coaches. Ciliotta will also serve as director of operations.
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Iowa signs Hays, a Pan American champ, Final X participant

The University of Iowa women's wrestling program has signed Brooklyn Hays, one of the nation's top young wrestlers. Hays, a Utah native, competed at Final X in 2025. She has won Pan American titles on the senior and U23 levels.