West Liberty, W.Va. - West Liberty women's wrestler Cassia Zammit etched her name in program history this weekend, finishing fourth in the nation at 131 pounds at the 2026 NCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

With the performance, Zammit became the first All-American in West Liberty women's wrestling history, a milestone achievement for a program competing in just its second season and during the first year women's wrestling was contested as an official NCAA national championship sport.

Unseeded entering the tournament, Zammit delivered one of the most impressive runs in the bracket, battling through a challenging field to reach the national podium.

Zammit opened the championship with an 11-4 decision over Mackenzie Childers (Wartburg) before adding a 3-0 victory against Janida Garcia (Emmanuel) in the first round. In the quarterfinals, she pushed eventual national contender Aubre Krazer (Lehigh) in a tightly contested match before falling 3-2.

She responded in the consolation bracket with a dominant 12-1 technical fall over Madeline Barton (Quincy) to clinch a top-eight finish and secure All-America honors.

On day two, Zammit continued her strong performance with two more victories to reach the third-place match. She defeated Makayla Paclib (Pitt.-Johnstown) 6-4 before earning a 13-8 decision over Abigail Mozden (Mount Union) in the consolation semifinals.

Those wins guaranteed Zammit a top-four finish before she ultimately placed fourth in the nation.

"I felt good out there," Zammit said. "Obviously it wasn't exactly the ending that I wanted because I ended with a loss, but I'm really happy that I finished strong and just finished the match as best as I could. It felt good to come out with fourth."

Head coach Troy Bell praised Zammit's resilience and determination throughout the national tournament.

"Cassia showed a lot of fight to get herself back into that third-place match," Bell said. "The grit and intestinal fortitude she showed all weekend was unmatched. I'm incredibly proud of her."

Zammit's historic performance not only earned her All-America recognition but also established a new benchmark for the young West Liberty women's wrestling program.

"Being able to have an All-American at the first NCAA championship speaks volumes about what we're building at West Liberty," Bell said. "Cassia is fundamentally one of the best wrestlers in the nation, and having someone like her in the room raises the level of everyone around her."

For Zammit, the accomplishment carried special meaning representing the Hilltoppers.

"It feels great," Zammit said. "Transferring here was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm just really happy to represent West Liberty. I've got those rocks behind me now, and that's what matters most."

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.