TIFFIN -- Heidelberg University has announced plans to add women's wrestling as a varsity sport for the 2025-26 academic year. The addition of the team brings the number of varsity programs -- under the leadership of Athletic Director Greg Cooper -- to 24. 

Heidelberg will become the fifth OAC school to sponsor women's wrestling at the varsity level.

"We have had a close eye on the growth of women's wrestling for the past few years," said Cooper. "High schools across the region continue to find success with their programs. It is a perfect time to capitalize on the growth of the sport and invest in more opportunities for women to compete at Heidelberg."

Since sanctioning the sport at the varsity level in 2022, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has seen a rapid rise in the popularity of girls wrestling. The growth of the sport has included schools of all sizes, in all areas of the state. 

Cooper announced that men's wrestling Head Coach Tony Patrizi and assistant coach Logan Griffin will serve as the initial recruiting coordinators until a head coach is selected. The search for the first head coach will begin later in the spring.

"This is a unique opportunity to get the program headed in the right direction," said Patrizi, a 2004 'Berg graduate. "We invited several women's teams to the Kalahari Duals in December. Having seen the fierce level of competition makes me eager to get our program off and running."  

Heidelberg now offers 11 women's varsity sports (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, STUNT, swimming, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, volleyball and wrestling) and 11 men's varsity sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, and wrestling). Two sports, cheerleading and Esports, are co-ed. 

Highly motivated individuals interested in applying can inquire about the process by emailing wwrestling@heidelberg.edu.