ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University Athletic Department has announced women's wrestling as Concord's 17^th varsity sport.

Women's wrestling joins women's triathlon as the two newest sports at CU as both will be starting during the 2026-27 academic year with their inaugural seasons.

"I'm grateful to the Board of Governors for approving this new opportunity for our current and future students, allowing Concord to continue growing our dynamic athletic programs," said President Dr. Bethany Meighen. "Students who are engaged in sports and other activities perform better academically. This is one more way students can make the most of their time at Concord."
 
The addition of women's wrestling at Concord was approved at a Board of Governors' meeting earlier this month.

Women's wrestling is an emerging NCAA sport with 96 schools across Division I, II and III currently sponsoring the sport. Approximately 33 percent of schools currently sponsor women's wrestling in Division II with Mountain East Conference members Frostburg State and West Liberty both adding the sport within the last three years.

"The addition of women's wrestling will continue to help ascend our athletic department at Concord," Duffy said. "We look forward to the startup, growth and eventual success of the women's wrestling program. Over the last few years, wrestling has grown exponentially for girls at the high school level in the state of West Virginia, giving us a great recruiting base to help get the program up and running.

"Additionally, the recent opening of the Woodlyn & Earl Kendrick Indoor Practice Facility will allow wrestling student-athletes the necessary space to practice and train in," Duffy concluded.

Regionally, Bluefield State and Emory & Henry (Emory, Virginia) both sponsor the sport with several schools in both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and South Atlantic Conference (SAC)—two of the closest geographic conferences for the MEC—adding the sport in recent times.

The Concord women's wrestling team will compete in matches inside the Carter Center.

"Our athletic teams continue to grow at Concord, and the recent announcement of women's triathlon beginning in the fall of 2026 has us very excited for the future of CU Athletics," Duffy said.

Those interested in applying for the Concord women's wrestling head coaching job should apply here.