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Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the country, is sanctioned in 45 states, and has been designated as an emerging sport on the collegiate level by the NCAA. The sport is growing at a rapid pace and is on track to become a championship-level sport as early as 2026, as the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics voted to recommend legislation to add a national collegiate wrestling championship.

“Women’s wrestling is a welcomed addition to our athletic department. This sport is a great fit for �Ļ�Ӱ��, and we look forward to recruiting talented and dedicated young women who embody our ‘I Will Try’ motto on the mat, in the classroom, and in their military pursuits,” said �Ļ�Ӱ�� Athletic Director Ed Hockenbury.

The program will become the 10th women’s sport at the school when it begins its inaugural season in the 2025-26 academic year. This expands the University’s athletic offerings to 23 teams in total, of which 12 are men’s, 10 are women’s, and one coed. Women’s wrestling will be the first sport added since 2022 when men’s golf and coed rifle were reinstated to varsity status.

“I am also excited to announce Coach Connor Keating as the inaugural head coach,” said Hockenbury. “Connor has been a true asset, both as an assistant wrestling coach and assistant women’s rugby coach, to the department since 2013 and we are excited to see him build this program moving forward.”

“First and foremost, I want to express gratitude to LtGen Broadmeadow, Ed Hockenbury, Alex Whitney, and countless members of the wrestling community for their support in establishing a varsity women’s wrestling program at �Ļ�Ӱ��,” said Keating. “Wrestling has shaped so much of who I am, and my years of competing at �Ļ�Ӱ�� were the most transformative of my life.”

Keating was dominant on the mat before graduating and launching his coaching career. He was team captain and earned Most Valuable Player recognition his senior year, and throughout his collegiate career, Keating was recognized as a two-time All-New England Honoree; a Scholar All-American; and a finalist in the 2009 All-Academy Championships. He finished his career with a program-best 44 victories over his four-year �Ļ�Ӱ�� career and has since continued wrestling on the global stage, winning the 2013 George Kalchev International Invitation in Varna, Bulgaria, and being named a Senior All-American at the 2014 U.S. Open before being recognized as a Masters Finalist at the same event three years later.
In his role as a coach, he has led multiple wrestlers as they have successfully placed in the NCAA Northeast Regional Competition. His efforts were highlighted by Mason Sprinkel ’24 and Thoren Berg ’25 when each earned All-Conference Honorable Mention. Sprinkel also tied the single-season program record for pins with 26, leading the country.

“To now be in a position where I can help bring this incredible sport to a population that has long been underrepresented is an honor and privilege. This program isn’t just about wrestling, it’s about creating opportunities for women who embody the same resilience, discipline, and grit that define both successful wrestlers and �Ļ�Ӱ�� students,” said Keating. “I firmly believe that the type of young women who excel on the mat are the same ones who thrive in the challenging and unique environment that �Ļ�Ӱ�� offers.”