SURPRISE, Ariz. — Ottawa University Arizona is proud to welcome Coach Lewis Arendall as the new head coach of its wrestling program.
Arendall takes over the program following the retirement of longtime head coach Ed Cruz, who concludes a legendary coaching career at Ottawa University Arizona. Under Cruz's leadership, the program achieved national prominence and established itself as one of the premier programs in the NCWA.
Cruz's accomplishments include:
- 2023 NCWA National Champions
- 2023 NCWA National Dual Team Champions
- 2022 NCWA National Championships Runner-Up
- 2022 NCWA National Dual Team Champions
- 2023 NCWA National Women's Coach of the Year
- 2022 NCWA National Women's Coach of the Year
- 8 NCWA Individual National Champions
- 29 NCWA All-Americans
Coach Arendall was selected to lead the program after a highly successful first season at Ottawa University Arizona as a volunteer coach. During that season, he helped send all of his eligible wrestlers to the national tournament and quickly made a strong impact in recruiting.
The future of the program is already showing tremendous promise under Arendall's leadership. The men's team has secured eleven recruits, including three state qualifiers, three state placers, one state champion, and multiple wrestlers with more than 100 career wins.
The women's team has also built strong recruiting momentum, adding fourteen recruits so far. That group includes four state placers, three state finalists, and two state champions.
Ottawa University Arizona is excited for the next chapter of its wrestling program and looks forward to continued success under Coach Arendall's leadership.
