KENT, Ohio – Kent State University is set to make history by establishing Ohio’s first Division I women’s wrestling program. The university plans to hire a head coach by summer 2026, with the team expected to begin competition in the fall of 2027.
The announcement comes as girls’ wrestling continues to grow in Ohio, with 507 high schools sponsoring programs during the 2024–25 academic year and more than 2,500 female athletes competing statewide. Kent State officials say the new program will provide opportunities for talented wrestlers to compete at the collegiate level while further expanding the sport in the region.
