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Photo: Sam Janicki

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.

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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.
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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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Central Methodist names Hansen head women's wrestling coach

Central Methodist University has named Evan Hansen as head women's wrestling coach, the athletics department announced. Hansen joins Central Methodist after two seasons Graceland, where he spent one year as men's assistant coach before being promoted to head men's and women's wrestling coach in March 2025.

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russell

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.
haysfeature

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.
evanhanson

Central Methodist names Hansen head women's wrestling coach

Central Methodist University has named Evan Hansen as head women's wrestling coach, the athletics department announced. Hansen joins Central Methodist after two seasons Graceland, where he spent one year as men's assistant coach before being promoted to head men's and women's wrestling coach in March 2025.
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Fort Hays State adds national finalist Alejandro

Fort Hays State women's wrestling has added graduate transfer Jenavi Alejandro for the 2026-27 season, bringing in one of the more accomplished wrestlers available in the transfer market this offseason. She is a national finalist and two-time All-American.
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Simon Fraser names Randhawa head coach of women's wrestling

Simon Fraser University has named Nishan Randhawa as head coach of its women's wrestling program, the school announced. Randhawa begins his role July 15. Randhawa, who wrestled for SFU from 2015 to 2020, brings one of the most decorated international resumes of any coach in Canadian wrestling.
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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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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.