Lehigh Adds Women's Wrestling as Varsity Sport

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh University is proud to announce the addition of women’s wrestling as its 26th varsity sport, with official competition beginning in the 2025–26 academic year.

Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation. This trend is especially evident in Pennsylvania, where more than 100 girls' high school wrestling programs are now sanctioned. In a major milestone, the NCAA announced in January the inclusion of women’s wrestling as its 91st championship sport. The inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship is set to take place during the 2025–26 season.

“Lehigh has a proud and storied tradition in wrestling, with our men’s program nationally recognized for both its competitive success and its commitment to developing scholar-athletes,” said Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. “Elevating women’s wrestling to varsity status is a natural and exciting next step for Lehigh University and our athletics department. This decision reflects our deep commitment to equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and to sustaining excellence – both on the mat and in the classroom. We are thrilled to welcome women’s wrestling to our varsity family and look forward to building a program that upholds the high standards that have long defined Lehigh wrestling.”

Lehigh becomes the sixth Division I institution to add women’s wrestling and is the first Division I program in Pennsylvania to do so. Nationally, over 100 NCAA member institutions either sponsor or have announced plans to sponsor women’s wrestling. Pennsylvania alone is home to 24 collegiate women’s wrestling programs—21 at the NCAA Division II or III level and three in the NJCAA.

“The launch of our Division I women’s wrestling program underscores Lehigh’s commitment to providing meaningful athletic opportunity and empowering student-athletes to compete at the highest level,” said Lehigh University President Joseph J. Helble ’82. “These athletes will not only strive for championships, but also embody the academic excellence and leadership that define the Lehigh experience.”

The women’s wrestling program enters varsity status with a strong foundation, having already spent two years building a competitive team at the club level. Head Coach Brazel Marquez, a decorated wrestler and coach with more than a decade of high-level experience, has led the club team during that period and will continue in her role as Lehigh transitions to varsity competition.

The 2024–25 roster featured 26 wrestlers, including several nationally ranked student-athletes recruited and mentored by Marquez. Another standout recruiting class is expected to arrive this summer as the program prepares for its first official varsity season.

“This is monumental for the women’s wrestling world,” said Marquez. “I’m incredibly excited about this program’s elevation and am so proud to be part of this commitment by Lehigh to make it happen. This university is full of amazing people, and we can’t wait to welcome even more women’s wrestling fans in the Lehigh Valley.”

Looking ahead, Marquez emphasized the significance of being part of the sport’s inaugural championship season. “Competing in the first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship is something we’re all looking forward to,” she continued. “I’m grateful to work with an administration that truly understands how important this opportunity is – not just for Lehigh, but for the sport nationwide.”

Among the program’s standout student-athletes is first-year Audrey Jimenez, one of the top wrestlers in the United States. Jimenez was the 2024 Olympic Trials runner-up at 50 kg, and recently claimed titles at the U20 and senior national levels, as well as a Pan-American championship. She will compete at Final X on June 14 in New Jersey for a spot on the U.S. team at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, this September.

Joining her are incoming wrestlers Abbi Cooper and Aubre Krazer, who also won U20 national titles in April. Both will represent the United States at the U20 World Championships in August in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“This is an exciting time for Lehigh wrestling, our university community, and the Lehigh Valley,” said Pat Santoro, the Lawrence White ’64 Head Men’s Wrestling Coach. “The addition of women’s wrestling is a monumental step forward. Coach Marquez has built a strong foundation, and this team is filled with committed, talented athletes ready to compete at the highest level. Their energy and potential are truly inspiring—I’m confident it won’t be long before they’re contending for an NCAA title.”

“The elevation of women's wrestling to varsity status is an incredibly exciting moment—for our athletes, for Lehigh Athletics, and for the sport as a whole,” added Professor Hannah Dailey ’02 ’09G, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics and NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for Lehigh. “As the FAR, I look forward to supporting these student-athletes in both their academic and athletic journeys at Lehigh.”

With the addition of women’s wrestling, Lehigh now offers 26 varsity sports, comprising 14 women’s teams and 12 men’s teams. Women’s wrestling is the first varsity program to be added since the elevation of women’s rowing in 2003.