WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University women's wrestling team opens its second season already among the nation's elite, checking in at No. 13 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) NCAA Women's Preseason Poll.

This year also marks a historic milestone for the sport, as women's wrestling officially becomes the NCAA's 91st championship. The inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships will be held March 6–7 in Coralville, Iowa, at Xtream Arena.

For head coach Troy Bell, the program's quick rise and the sport's national recognition go hand in hand. "This is an exciting time for women's wrestling and for our program," Bell said. "To be recognized among the top teams in the country shows the hard work our women have put in. Hosting the first NCAA Region 2 Championship here at West Liberty will be a great opportunity to showcase the sport and our university on a big stage."

The Hilltoppers return nearly their entire roster from last season's 9–3 dual campaign, a year that produced five national qualifiers, multiple All-America and all-conference honors, and growing momentum for one of the nation's youngest programs. With no graduates from the inaugural squad, the 2025–26 lineup blends experience and depth with a strong mix of newcomers. "We brought back all five national qualifiers, plus two others who were seconds away from qualifying," Bell added. "Adding a recruiting class with five freshmen and five transfers gives us a veteran room, even though we're technically just in our second year as a program."

Junior Cassia Zammit headlines the lineup at 131 lbs, entering the season ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in Region 2. The transfer from Presbyterian is a two-time national qualifier and two-time Scholar All-American, having been ranked as high as No. 5 nationally.

Graduate standout Chiara Barbieri (103 lbs) also arrives from Presbyterian, debuting at No. 7 nationally and No. 1 in Region 2. The Brampton, Ontario native recorded 20 wins last season, captured titles at both the Princeton and Wasp Opens, and closed her campaign with back-to-back 10-0 technical falls on the national stage.

Six more Hilltoppers appear in the Region 2 rankings, showcasing the program's balance and depth across multiple weight classes:

• 117 lbs – Trinity Howard (R-Jr.): King, Baldwin Wallace, Hilltopper, and Tiffin Open champion (redshirted 2024–25).
   

• 124 lbs – Abigail DiCenzo (So.): Transfer from Baldwin Wallace; Open champion; ranked as high as No. 13 nationally.
   

• 138 lbs – Skyelar Smith (Sr.): WLU Female Athlete of the Year runner-up, Hilltopper Open champion, and leadership award recipient.
   

• 145 lbs – Grace O'Korn (So.): National qualifier, Scholar All-American, 2025 Female Newcomer of the Year, Hilltopper Open champion.
   

• 180 lbs – Janiya Brogan (So.): National qualifier and Hilltopper Open champion.
   

• 207 lbs – Jamie Shapton (R-So.): Two-time Scholar All-American, national qualifier, and Hilltopper Open champion.
   

Incoming freshman Mariah Mills (110 lbs) from Palm Coast, Fla., headlines the rookie class with a decorated high school résumé — two-time NHSCA national champion, Fargo All-American, Florida state champion, and two-time team state champion.

Also joining the fold is redshirt freshman Makyah Walters-Newlun (160 lbs) from East Liverpool, Ohio, bringing strong dual-style credentials to the middle weights.

The Hilltoppers open the season at the Tiffin Invitational before heading to Adrian College for duals and an open event featuring several top-10 programs. The team will also compete at the Gannon Duals and the Indiana Tech Open in December — critical tune-ups for postseason competition.

The spotlight will shine brightest in February, when West Liberty hosts the first-ever NCAA Region 2 Championship (Feb. 20–21) inside the ASRC — a landmark moment for both the program and the Ohio Valley wrestling community. "It's a privilege to be one of six schools hosting the first NCAA regional," Bell said. "It's going to be special for our athletes to compete for a national tournament berth on their home mat — and for fans to experience such a historic event right here on the Hilltop."

West Liberty earned 13 points in the NWCA Tournament Power Index (TPI), placing 13th nationally and second among Region 2 programs, trailing only East Stroudsburg. "There's a lot of excitement behind wrestling right now — both men's and women's," Bell said. "Our administration, alumni, and fans have embraced this program from the start. We're just getting started, but the future is incredibly bright for women's wrestling at West Liberty."