WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty head wrestling coach Danny Irwin has announced the Hilltoppers' 2026-27 schedule, featuring a unique season-opening event aboard an aircraft carrier, a historic on-campus dual in Kelly Theater and a challenging postseason slate that includes the NWCA Duals, Mountain East Conference Championship and NCAA Super Region III.

West Liberty opens the season Nov. 7 with a pair of events, competing at the Yorktown Throwdown and the Mount Union Invitational.

The Yorktown Throwdown will provide an experience unlike any other on the Hilltopper schedule, with the wrestling mats set up on an aircraft carrier.

"We are really excited about the opportunity to compete at the Yorktown Throwdown," Irwin said. "The mats will be setup on an aircraft carrier and will provide a once in a lifetime type experience. We already have a great contingent of alumni and friends making the trip to the historic site."

The Hilltoppers then face a quick turnaround with a Nov. 13 dual at Pitt-Johnstown before returning home Nov. 14 to host Western Colorado.

That matchup will also take West Liberty wrestling outside its traditional competition venue, with the dual scheduled to take place in Kelly Theater.

"I would like to thank Professor Aulick and Professor Davis for working on this," Irwin said. "Collaboration across campus is important and this event will highlight how united this campus is in providing a first-class experience to our students."

Limited tickets will be available for the Western Colorado dual, with additional ticket information to be announced in the coming weeks.

West Liberty continues its early-season schedule with the Lake Erie for Alumni Night on Nov. 20 and the Baldwin Wallace Invitational on Nov. 21. The Hilltoppers then compete at the Little State Invitational on Dec. 5 before traveling to Gannon for a Dec. 13 dual.

The Hilltoppers host the Hilltopper Duals on Dec. 20 before opening the new calendar year at the Fairmont State Invitational on Jan. 2.

January also features the NWCA Duals on Jan. 8-9, the Purple Raider Open on Jan. 17 and the Millersville Duals on Jan. 23.

The postseason portion of the schedule begins with the MEC Championship on Jan. 30.

West Liberty then competes at the John Summa Invitational on Feb. 6 before facing Fairmont State on Feb. 11 for Senior Night. An Ashland dual is scheduled for Feb. 4.

The Super Region III Tournament is Feb.28 and the NCAA wrestling championships are March 12-13.

Irwin enters his eighth season at the helm of a West Liberty program that has established itself as one of the Mountain East Conference's premier wrestling programs.

Since taking over in 2019, Irwin's teams have produced 21 All-Americans and six national champions, while earning four MEC championships and three Super Region III championships.

The Hilltoppers have also posted six top-12 NCAA Championship team finishes during Irwin's tenure, including fourth-place finishes in 2019 and 2023. West Liberty placed sixth in 2020, 12th in 2021, 10th in 2022 and 11th in 2024.

The program has also enjoyed considerable success academically under Irwin, producing 65 Scholar All-Americans and three consecutive top-15 NWCA Academic Team finishes — fourth in 2023, 10th in 2024 and 15th in 2025.

The 2026-27 schedule combines traditional competition with several first-of-their-kind opportunities as West Liberty looks to build on its recent success on the regional and national wrestling stages.



2026-27 WEST LIBERTY WRESTLING SCHEDULE
Nov. 7 — Yorktown Throwdown
Nov. 7 — Mount Union Invitational
Nov. 13 — Pitt-Johnstown Dual
Nov. 14 — Western Colorado (H)
Nov. 20 — Lake Erie Alumni Night (H)
Nov. 21 — Baldwin Wallace Invitational
Dec. 5 — Little State Invitational
Dec. 13 — Gannon Dual  (H)
Dec. 20 — Hilltopper Duals  (H)
Jan. 2 — Fairmont State Invitational
Jan. 8-9 — NWCA Duals
Jan. 17 — Purple Raider Open
Jan. 23 — Millersville Duals
Jan. 30 — MEC Championship
Feb. 4 — Ashland Dual 
Feb. 6 — John Summa Invitational
Feb. 11 — Fairmont State — Senior Night (H)

Feb. 28 — NCAA Super Region III
Mar. 12-13 — NCAA National Championships








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.