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    Gannon names Dierken coach of new women's program

    Gannon University has named Christen Dierken as the first coach for its new women's wrestling program.

    The new Lady Knights program, first announced in late January, will take to the mats this fall as the first four-year women's intercollegiate wrestling program in Pennsylvania.

    Christen Dierken
    Dierken brings valuable on-the-mat and coaching experience to Gannon's new program. She launched her wrestling career as the first and only female to wrestle all four years at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, California. Dierken then headed east to University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, where she was offered a scholarship to wrestle for their women's program. She became a two-time national finalist and four-time All-American.

    Dierken was a five-time qualifier for the World Team Trials (2008-2013) and competed at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. In addition, she was a two-time Senior National Team member, representing the USA in tournaments and training camps domestically and internationally from 2009-2011.

    Dierken began her collegiate coaching career at the University of the Cumberlands following graduation, serving as a women's wrestling graduate assistant coach from 2011-13. She was a member of a staff that coached 18 All-Americans, six U.S. Open placewinners and a pair of national runner-ups during a two-year time span. Dierken's responsibilities included recruiting, practice oversight, administrative duties, workout plans, and travel plans. She currently serves as a Physical Education teacher at A.M. Yealey Elementary School in Florence, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, Dierken is a Specialist in the Army National Guard.

    "We are very excited to welcome Christen to the Gannon family," said Lisa Goddard McGuirk, Gannon's Director of Athletics. "Her experience, coaching philosophy and wrestling expertise are impressive. Christen will be a tremendous addition to our department and community."

    "My family and I are extremely excited to join the Gannon family and be a part of pioneering women's wrestling in the state of Pennsylvania," said Dierken. "I am eager to begin working with our student-athletes in their development as champions not just in athletics, but in their academics, spiritual life and personal character.

    "I hope to make a positive impact in the lives of our student-athletes and the local community. I am so blessed and grateful for this opportunity to follow my God-given passion (wrestling) to make a difference in lives and minister to the needs of others."

    Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Gannon University is a private, co-educational Catholic University. The new women's wrestling program joins a roster of 18 athletic programs, including men's wrestling. Gannon has an enrollment of approximately 4,100 students.
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