WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University women's wrestling team will take its next step toward establishing itself as a national contender when the Hilltoppers open their 2026-27 schedule this fall.

The upcoming season marks the third season of women's wrestling at West Liberty under head coach Troy Bell, with the Hilltoppers returning five national qualifiers in Trinity Howard, Mariah Mills, Cassia Zammit, Grace O'Korn and Jamie Shapton.

West Liberty is coming off a historic 2025-26 campaign that saw the Hilltoppers finish 19th at the NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships. Zammit led the way with a fourth-place finish at 131 pounds, becoming the first All-American in program history.

The Hilltoppers will open the 2026-27 season Nov. 1 at the Tiffin Open in Tiffin, Ohio, before returning home Nov. 6 to host Washington & Jefferson at the Academic, Sports & Recreation Complex.

West Liberty will then head to Michigan for the Adrian Duals on Nov. 14 and the Adrian Open on Nov. 15. The Hilltoppers continue their early-season tournament schedule at the Baldwin Wallace Open on Nov. 22 in Berea, Ohio. December features a pair of dual-event weekends, beginning with the Gannon Duals on Dec. 5 in Erie, Pa., followed by the Berg Holiday Duals on Dec. 12 at Heidelberg. West Liberty will close the calendar year at home with the Hilltopper Duals on Dec. 20 at the ASRC. The Hilltopper Duals are scheduled for a 9 a.m. start.

The Hilltoppers open January by hosting the West Virginia State Invite on Jan. 3 before traveling to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the NWCA National Duals Jan. 8-9 at the UNI-Dome.

West Liberty will continue its January slate at the Spartan Classic in North Manchester, Ind., on Jan. 17 before returning home to host Frostburg State on Jan. 20 for Senior Night. The Hilltoppers then travel to Grand Valley State on Jan. 24. The regular season concludes Feb. 6 at the Bobcat Open in Frostburg, Md., setting the stage for the postseason.

West Liberty will compete at the NCAA Super Regional Feb. 19-20 at a site to be determined. The Hilltoppers will then turn their attention to the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships, scheduled for March 5-6 in Coralville, Iowa.
 
2026-27 West Liberty Women's Wrestling Schedule
Nov. 1 — Tiffin Open — Tiffin, Ohio
Nov. 6 — Washington & Jefferson — West Liberty, W.Va.
Nov. 14 — Adrian Duals — Adrian, Mich.
Nov. 15 — Adrian Open — Adrian, Mich.
Nov. 22 — Baldwin Wallace Open — Berea, Ohio
Dec. 5 — Gannon Duals — Erie, Pa.
Dec. 12 — Berg Holiday Duals — Heidelberg, Ohio
Dec. 20 — Hilltopper Duals — West Liberty, W.Va.
Jan. 3 — West Virginia State Invite — West Liberty, W.Va.
Jan. 8-9 — NWCA National Duals — Cedar Falls, Iowa
Jan. 17 — Spartan Classic — North Manchester, Ind.
Jan. 20 — Frostburg State — West Liberty, W.Va.
Jan. 24 — Grand Valley State — Allendale, Mich.
Feb. 6 — Bobcat Open — Frostburg, Md.
Feb. 19-20 — NCAA Super Regional — Site TBD
March 5-6 — National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships — Coralville, Iowa
 



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.