WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Six West Liberty University women's wrestlers have earned national recognition in the preseason rankings released by HerMat, while the Hilltoppers are ranked 15th in the tournament team rankings and 11th in the dual-team rankings entering the 2026-27 season.

Junior Cassia Zammit leads the nationally ranked group, earning the No. 3 ranking at 131 pounds after becoming the first All-American in West Liberty women's wrestling history last season.

The Hilltoppers also have five other wrestlers ranked nationally. Mariah Mills is No. 11 at 124 pounds, Tehana Savory is No. 16 at 160 pounds, Trinity Howard is No. 19 at 117 pounds, and Lisa Pastoriza and Aubrey Bartkowiak are each ranked No. 20 at 103 and 207 pounds, respectively.

West Liberty received 20 points to rank 15th in the HerMat tournament team rankings, placing the Hilltoppers among the nation's top 15 programs. The team is also ranked 11th in the preseason dual-team rankings, reflecting the program's depth heading into another competitive season.

The national recognition follows a historic 2025-26 campaign in which West Liberty finished 19th at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships. Zammit placed fourth at 131 pounds, establishing herself as the program's first All-American after entering the national tournament unseeded.

Now entering its third season under head coach Troy Bell, West Liberty returns four national qualifiers, including Zammit, Howard, Mills, and Jamie Shapton. The Hilltoppers will look to build on their national success as they prepare for the first season of Mountain East Conference women's wrestling.

West Liberty was selected as the favorite in the inaugural MEC Women's Wrestling Preseason Poll, earning four of six first-place votes and 24 points. Frostburg State was picked second with 21 points, followed by Fairmont State with 16.

The 2026-27 campaign opens Sunday, Nov. 1, when the Hilltoppers compete at the Tiffin Open in Tiffin, Ohio. West Liberty will return home Friday, Nov. 6, to host Washington & Jefferson at 6:30 p.m. at the Academic, Sports & Recreation Complex.
 
 
HerMat Preseason National Rankings — West Liberty

Weight Class	Wrestler	Ranking
103 pounds	Lisa Pastoriza	No. 20
117 pounds	Trinity Howard	No. 19
124 pounds	Mariah Mills	No. 11
131 pounds	Cassia Zammit	No. 3
160 pounds	Tehana Savory	No. 16
207 pounds	Aubrey Bartkowiak	No. 20

Team Rankings

• Tournament team ranking: No. 15 (20 points)
• Dual-team ranking: No. 11

West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.