As part of its build up to the 2026-2027 competition debut, the Wittenberg wrestling program will be hosting a tournament Saturday, April 4, in the Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) Complex.
Head coach Wendel Donathan, looking to build momentum for the new program, is anticipating between 500-750 competitors in both the men's and women's divisions. Donathan, Wittenberg class of 1989, is the most decorated wrestler in Wittenberg history, with a career record of 106-28-4, the only wrestler in program history to win 100 career matches.
The wrestling program was discontinued after the 1989-90 school year, and it endured a 35-year absence despite calls for its return from Wittenberg alumni. The return of the program, plus the addition of a new women's team, is expected to bring new competitive and academic opportunities for students who may have not considered Wittenberg previously. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports for girls, with more than 64,000 participants, along with more than 290,000 men wrestlers nationwide.
Wrestling is one of multiple new programs at Wittenberg that will debut next academic year, joining men and women's hockey, competitive cheer and women's flag football, all with a common goal of bringing new recruits to the university over the next few years.
"We have been recruiting hard this year," Donathan said. "I am looking forward to the day we host our first meet next season and am really looking forward to the student body's support for our programs."
Donathan is looking for volunteers to help with the tournament and has many tasks/jobs that can be done with no prior experience of wrestling. If you are interested in assisting, you can email Donathan at donathanw@wittenberg.edu.
Source: Wittenberg Coach Named for Wrestling Program
