ALLIANCE, Ohio – The University of Mount Union Department of Athletics announced Clay Wenger as its first women's wrestling head coach.
 
"I want to thank President Greg King, Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer Patrick Heddleston, Director of Athletics Mike Parnell, the entire interview team, and the Board of Trustees for inviting me to be a part of the University of Mount Union," said Wenger. "My wife, Shelby, my daughters, Hadley and Ryland, and I are thrilled and honored to be joining the Purple Raiders family. Mount Union is a world-class institution that provides the ultimate experience for its students. Mount Union Athletics is an elite department that strives for excellence in every way imaginable."
 
Wenger was recently the head boys wrestling coach at Wadsworth High School the past five years where he had tremendous success.
 
"I believe the experience, knowledge, and passion that Clay brings to Mount Union is exactly what is needed to effectively guide our new program," said Parnell.
 
At Wadsworth, Wenger coached 17 National All-Americans (including a National Champion), to go along with 24 state placers (including four champions and three state runner-ups) and 42 state qualifiers. His teams advanced to the final four in the state twice. In addition, Wenger has coached girls who have wrestled in his successful BattleZone Wrestling Club. Over the course of his illustrious career, Wenger has won numerous Coach of the Year awards including, Suburban League, Touchdown Club, Medina County, and Greater Cleveland Coaches Association.
 
"I am enthusiastic Clay Wenger will lead our new women's wrestling program as the first head coach," said Mount Union Head Men's Wrestling Coach Ryan Riggs. "Coach Wenger is a leader and a teacher who represents all that we stand for at the University of Mount Union. He is loyal and respected by his student-athletes, as well as his peers in the wrestling community across the nation. I've gotten to know him over the years, and he is as well-respected as a person as he is a coach. I am excited to get to work with him and start building for the future."
 
During his wrestling days, Wenger was a Mid-American Conference Student-Athlete Award Winner and letterman at Division I Kent State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in organizational communications. At Wadsworth, he was an All-American wrestler, a two-time Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State Qualifier, two-time team captain, and was part of the 2010 Division I State Champions.
 
"I am excited to be in a position to grow the sport of women's wrestling," Wenger said. "I will work diligently and purposefully to build Mount Union Women's Wrestling into a program that attracts student-athletes who want to reach their potential athletically, socially, and, most importantly, academically. I can't wait to chase championships the Mount Union way!"
 
Mount Union announced the addition of women's wrestling on October 16. The 25^th Mount Union varsity sport will begin its inaugural season in the Fall of 2024.