Discussion

Folkstyle

G-R and Freestyle

Teams

Rankings

2019 UWW Senior World Championships
2019 Final X
2019 Junior Greco-Roman National Duals
2019 Junior Boys' Freestyle National Duals
Division changes for 2019-2020 OHSAA Dual Championships
2019 AAU National Duals (Disney Duals)
2019 Yasar Dogu International Tournament
2019 Junior and 16U National Championships (Fargo)
Division changes for 2019-2020 OHSAA Individual Championships

Forum Home

Forum Search

Register

Log in

Log in to check your private messages

Profile

► Add to the Discussion

Discussion Topic: Major NCAA Women's Wrestling teams
Chris Shepherd added to this discussion on November 5, 2016

Women's wrestling is growing at a pretty rapid rate worldwide. Women's collegiate wrestling is also growing pretty rapidly. So, that leads me to wonder why a major wrestling power from the B1G hasn't thrown their hat in the ring to field a team yet? Why isn't the B1G at the forefront of this growth with the history of being the perennial wrestling power conference? It seems such an obvious addition to a Div I athletics program for the purpose of offsetting scholarships between men/women for the purpose of Title IX. Is women's wrestling even an NCAA recognized/contested sport yet?



Add to the discussion and quote this      

Discussion Topic: Major NCAA Women's Wrestling teams
Brian Nicola added to this discussion on November 5, 2016

Female wrestlers' skill set is at the highest it's ever been, due to better coaching and the first generation of full-blown-from-youth-mat-rats in the womens ranks.

Most high level coaches and wrestlers recognize this and support the womens initiative.

So while it isn't an NCAA sport yet, I have no idea why someone doesn't jump in and fund a team. See Okie State's rodeo team...fully funded and non-NCAA...to see a regional sport that is very popular.

I'd like to see it, but I think it will be relegated to small school programs for at least awhile longer.



Add to the discussion and quote this      

Discussion Topic: Major NCAA Women's Wrestling teams
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on November 7, 2016

It will take outside-the-box ideas plus action and funding behind these ideas.

One example of such a thing is happening at Williams Baptist College, which just started a varsity Greco-Roman team that will compete in the major senior-level tournaments.

This is a very cool thing. Major respect to the man behind this idea/work/funding -- WBC head coach, Kerry Regner -- as well as the administration at WBC for having the open-mindedness to go through with this.

---

http://wbceagles.com/article/855.php

Williams to Add Greco-Roman Wrestling
October 20, 2016

Walnut Ridge, Ark. - The wrestling program at Williams Baptist College is about to expand.  WBC's athletic department has announced the addition of Greco-Roman wrestling as an intercollegiate sport, beginning next fall.

"We are excited to build on the success we have enjoyed with wrestling at Williams, and Greco-Roman will provide an opportunity for 30 student-athletes to participate in a sport they love while they are attending Williams Baptist College.  We look forward to getting a head coach in place and welcoming this new group of athletes to the Williams campus," said Athletic Director Jeff Rider.

Greco-Roman wrestling is one of two wrestling styles contested in the Olympics, and it is especially popular with wrestlers who aspire to compete at the Olympic level.

It differs from the standard collegiate form of wrestling, which is known as folkstyle wrestling.  The most notable distinction is that the Greco-Roman style restricts athletes to upper body techniques and does not allow grabbing below the waist or attacks with the legs.

Greco-Roman wrestling at Williams will function as an intercollegiate sport, separate from WBC's varsity wrestling team.  While the WBC Greco-Roman squad will compete against other colleges, the style is not currently sanctioned as a varsity sport in the American Midwest Conference or the NAIA.

Williams added varsity wrestling in 2014 and has seen immediate success.  In its two years of existence, the program has grown to over 40 wrestlers.  The team has had three All-Americans and finished the 2015-16 season ranked in the NAIA polls.

Rider credited WBC wrestling Head Coach Kerry Regner with having the idea to start Greco-Roman at WBC and with helping guide the development process.

"The benefits for our existing wrestling program will be great," said Regner.  "There is a specific niche to Greco-Roman wrestling that lends itself to success in all styles of wrestling, and our collegiate team will be exposed to these techniques.  Though the teams will remain separate, it is a great step for not just Williams, but also for USA Greco-Roman wrestling."

Williams is currently seeking applicants for a head coach of the Greco-Roman wrestling team.  More information can be found at www.williamsbaptistcollege.com/employment.



Add to the discussion and quote this      

► Add to the Discussion