Wheeling, W. Va. - On January 15th, 2026, the Wheeling University Athletic department announced that Women's Wrestling would become the department's 23rd Intercollegiate varsity sport. On Thursday, they announced the first leader of the Cardinal Women's Wrestling program with the hiring of Lily Sherer as Head Women's Wrestling Coach. She brings to the program over eight years of experience as both a coach and an athlete in the spot and is excited to bring women's wrestling to the Cardinal fans.
"To be given the opportunity to run a program and build something of my own at such an early stage in my coaching career is truly a blessing," said Sherer. "It took a village to get to where I am today and without my friends, family, boyfriend, and my coach at Lock Haven Matt Lackey and his wife Elisa, I wouldn't have had the confidence to take on this role. I really appreciate Wheeling University Athletic Director, Carrie Hanna for believing in me. I believe this is God's plan for me. I am hungry to succeed in this coaching role, and ready to put all of my energy into this program and make it something that Wheeling University can be proud of."
Sherer comes to Wheeling after spending the 2025-2026 season as an assistant coach at Pitt-Johnstown under Head Coach Shane Valko. During that inaugural season, she helped lead the Mountain Cats to a 2-2 record in dual meet action and an 8th place team finish at the 2026 NCAA Regional Championships. Sherer had a hand in coaching four NCAA Regional Place winners, as well as the school's first ever Women's National Qualifier in Makayla Paclib. Paclib would end up finishing eighth overall at the National Championship event, where she finished 2-3 in the 131-pound weight class. Sherer helped the Mountain Cats make history in their inaugural season and is looking to bring that same success to the Cardinal Women's Wrestling program.
"Wheeling University is blessed to have coach Lily Sherer join our Cardinal family to start building the women's wrestling program," said Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna. "Coach Sherer's passion and energy combined with her high standards of excellence and professionalism align perfectly with Wheeling University's mission, vision, and values."
During her time as an athlete in the sport, Sherer found her passion for coaching working with Jody Strittmatter at the Young Guns Wrestling Club in Edensburg, Pennsylvania. The club was co-founded by Strittmatter and Eric Jurgens in 2002 and has been developing young wrestlers for over 18 years. It was here that Sherer fell in love with coaching and growing the sport for younger girls. She wrestled with female campers during live sessions and drilled technique with those as needed. During her time with Young Guns Wrestling, she also got the opportunity to work with several clinicians both learning and teaching skills in the sport to help train the next generation of Women's Wrestlers.
Sherer was a stand-out Women's Wrestler at Lock Haven University, where she was a four-time national qualifier and All-American wrestler. She holds the all-time win record at Lock Haven with 86 career wins and helped lead the Bald Eagles to a Regional Championship during the 2024-2025 season. During that season, Sherer would go 30-9 overall while holding a dual meet record of 17-3, finishing third at Regionals in the 131 LB weight class to finish as a National Qualifier for the fourth time in her career.
Sherer earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and master's degree in Sports Management from Lock Haven in 2025.
