MANHEIM, PA — The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is proud to announce the Keynote Speakers for this year's Awards Luncheon, taking place on Saturday, August 2, during the annual NWCA Convention at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. The convention is presented by Cliff Keen Athletic, Defense Soap, Resilite, and the United States Marine Corps.
 
This year's Luncheon Keynote, presented by BAND-The App for Groups, will feature a Women's Wrestling Fireside Chat with two highly respected leaders in the sport: Kenya Sloan, recently named Head Women's Wrestling Coach at Delaware State University, and Breonnah Neal, Head Women's Coach at Frostburg State University. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Jackie Paquette, NWCA Deputy Director and Manager of Women's Wrestling Partnerships.
 
The keynote will highlight the rapid rise of women's wrestling, offering insight into the evolving landscape of the sport through the lens of two pioneering coaches. Topics will include personal coaching journeys, challenges and opportunities in launching new programs, and strategies to sustain the sport's upward momentum nationwide.
 
Meet the Speakers
 
Kenya Sloan
Sloan was named the first-ever Head Women's Wrestling Coach at Delaware State University in June 2025. A standout on the mat, Sloan is a four-time undefeated Tennessee state champion, NAIA national champion, and U.S. Junior Pan Am gold medalist. Before joining Delaware State, she was an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University.
 
Breonnah Neal
Now in her second year at Frostburg State, Neal is building a young program into a contender. Before arriving at Frostburg, she had national success at Gannon University, producing 17 national qualifiers and 8 All-Americans in just two seasons. As a student-athlete, Neal was a four-time WCWA All-American and Olympic Trials qualifier at King University, helping lead the team to a national title in 2017.
 
Dr. Jackie Paquette
Dr. Paquette serves as the NWCA's Deputy Director and Manager of Women's Wrestling Partnerships, with a strong track record of advancing women's wrestling across nationwide. With previous experience in athletics administration at the University of Indianapolis and long-time involvement in NCAA Division II wrestling, she brings both passion and perspective to the conversation.
 
The 2025 NWCA Convention, running August 1–3, will once again bring together hundreds of wrestling coaches, administrators, and media from across the country for three days of education, connection, and celebration.

Register now at www.nwcaconvention.com