Wheeling, W. Va. - A new era embarks for the Wheeling Athletics Wrestling program as women's wrestling enters season number one of many. The program will be led by head coach Lily Sherer as she comes in from Pitt-Johnstown where she served as an assistant coach to begin her coaching career, following a stint as a 4X All-American wrestler at Lock Haven University.
On January 15, 2026, a new era began at Wheeling University with the announcement of Women's Wrestling as the 23rd Intercollegiate varsity sport at Wheeling University. Sherer would be announced two months later, and the road to their first collegiate season officially began. When the program was announced, it was expected that they take the mat in their first season in 2026-2027, and Sherer made sure that the deadline was hit. She brought on Trinity Monaghan as her graduate assistant, and the two went to work drafting the first season of Wheeling Women's Wrestling.
The first piece of the puzzle that had to be put together was who the team would compete against in their inaugural season. With Women's Wrestling being an up and coming sport in the region, the Cardinals packed their schedule with several of those regional opponents as they prepare to make their mark on the region. The inaugural first meet will take place on Sunday, Nov.1 at the Tiffin Open. The home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18 against Fairmont State University. The schedule is split evenly, with the team competing in five tournaments and five dual meets throughout the regular season, including the inaugural MEC Women's Wrestling Championships on January 30. Of their five dual meets, three of those will come inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center, where Cardinal fans will get their first look at the sport.
The Cardinals feature nine wrestlers on the roster. The group includes a full roster of transfers, looking to make their mark on the program. Leading the group is sophomore Savannah Isaac, who will serve as the team's starter at the 207-pound weight class. She comes to Wheeling after spending one season at Life University. She comes to Wheeling with a highly touted record, being a 3X Ohio State Champion in high school as well as an NAIA National Champion. She helped lead Life to an NAIA National Champion in her freshman season, and is looking for similarly high aspirations with the Cardinals this season.
Other standouts for the Cardinals in their first season include Junior Shanielah Kirk who transferred in from Division III Bethany College finished with a 19-14 record a season ago. Also from Bethany, sophomore Malia Tocco went 12-15 during her freshman season. Wheeling also welcomes Anatasia Curitti who transferred in from Waynesburg University finished her freshman season with a 15-15 record. With several leaders on the mat, the Cardinals will be looking to set a high standard from the start as they get the Cardinal program off the ground.
The Wheeling University Women's Wrestling team opens the 2026-2027 season on Sunday, November 1st, when they compete in the Tiffin Open Invitational at 9 AM.
