Lourdes adding women’s wrestling as varsity sport

Lourdes University has announced that the school will add women’s wrestling to its varsity sport lineup beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year and that Kate Hill will serve as the team’s head coach.
“Women’s wrestling has been growing on the collegiate level throughout the country,” Athletics Director Janet Eaton said.  “We are excited to add the sport here at Lourdes, as it complements our diverse athletics offerings already in place.”
The Gray Wolves will compete in the NAIA, where the sport is in its second season as an invitational sport.  There are 28 NAIA institutions that sponsor women’s wrestling for the 2019-2020 season, and several other schools have announced plans to add the sport for next season.
Lourdes joins NCAA member Tiffin University as the only schools in the state of Ohio to sponsor varsity wrestling.
Hill arrives at Lourdes after serving as a graduate assistant at Campbellsville University since the summer of 2018.  During the 2018-2019 season, Campbellsville finished fourth at the NAIA National Invitational as a team while producing a national champion and a pair of national runners-up.  Upon her departure from Campbellsville midway through this season, the Tigers were ranked second in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Poll.
“Coach Hill has a passion for wrestling,” Eaton stated.  “I am confident that she has the ability to start our program based upon her enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport.  She was a successful student-athlete on the mat and will be able to bring that knowledge to Lourdes.”
Hill wrestled four seasons at Campbellsville, helping the Tigers win a WCWA National Championship her senior season.  Individually, she earned All-American honors on the mat in 2018. 
“I am very excited for the opportunity to start the women's wrestling program at Lourdes University,” Hill said.  “Not only do I believe that Lourdes is the ideal location to build a successful program, but it is also the ideal university to have successful athletes.  The University’s dedication to service and academics produces individuals that make the world better.  My goal is to positively impact young women with regards to their ability to wrestle, academics, sportsmanship, work ethic, and faith.  I am so grateful to be here.”
        Hill has also served as a volunteer coach for Team Michigan at the USA Wrestling Freestyle National Championships. (— Ryan Wronkowicz/Lourdes Athletics)