ASHLAND -- Katlyn Monroe is headed to Southern Oregon University for the 2025-26 season as the Raider women's wrestling team's next head coach, Director of Athletics Matt Sayre announced on Wednesday.

Monroe will join SOU following three years as the head coach at Alma College (Mich.), an NCAA Division III program that launched its first varsity season in 2023-24 under her guidance. She'll replace Joye Levendusky, who pushed the Raiders to a Cascade Conference title and seventh place at the NAIA Championships in one season as interim head coach.

"Katlyn was an impressive wrestler in her collegiate career and has become a respected and accomplished head coach in her own right," Sayre said. "Her experience and clear focus on culture-building are perfect for our program right now. The Raider women's wrestlers are eager to embrace her as head coach and begin a new era at SOU."

At Alma, Monroe's Scots went from 2-8 in their first season to 6-3 in their second in dual matches while nearly tripling their total number of bout victories (220) and wins by fall (130). The program's quick rise was underscored by wins over two nationally-ranked opponents, and they produced four NWCA Scholar All-Americans both seasons.

Monroe, 25, was a dual-sport athlete in wrestling and cross country at Campbellsville University (Ky.), from which she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in business. She was an All-American for Tigers teams that captured back-to-back NAIA Invitational championships in 2021 and '22, placing third at 123 pounds and fifth at 130. In the latter season, she served as graduate assistant while competing for Campbellsville and simultaneously coached at the local Highlands High School.

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of head women's wrestling coach at SOU," Monroe said. "When this opportunity was first presented, I honestly didn't think I could move across the country for my career. But after meeting with Matt (Sayre), Joye (Levendusky) and (head men's wrestling coach) Joel (Gibson), it quickly became something I couldn't say no to. There's something truly special happening at SOU."

Monroe, née Pizzo, has obtained USA Wrestling Bronze and Teal certifications. The product of Madison Heights, Mich., is married to Jordan Monroe, who was on staff as her assistant at Alma and will also join her at SOU.

She'll take over a program that is two years removed from winning the NAIA championship and has placed top-five nationally four of the last five seasons. The Raiders went 12-3 in dual action and yielded five All-Americans in 2024-25.

"This is already a high-level program with a strong foundation of success, and I'm grateful for the chance to help lead it into its next chapter," Monroe said. "My passion has always been helping athletes become the best versions of themselves – in wrestling, in the classroom, and as people. I look forward to bringing the same love and energy I poured into my athletes at Alma and continuing to build on the incredible work Coach Levendusky has done."