DEFIANCE, Ohio — Defiance College is expanding its athletic offerings once again, announcing that women’s wrestling will be added as a varsity sport beginning in the 2026–27 academic year.

The addition marks the fifth new program introduced by the school in the last 14 months, following the launches of men’s volleyball, women’s bowling, powerlifting, and women’s flag football.

Women’s wrestling was officially recognized as a championship sport by the NAIA in 2023, and Defiance is acting quickly to join the movement. A search for the program’s inaugural head coach is already underway.

The move reflects a growing trend in collegiate athletics to increase opportunities for women in competitive sports, with Defiance positioning itself at the forefront of that momentum.

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