Mitchell, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan women's wrestling was active in their first season both on and off the mat. Tiger women's wrestling hosted youth camps, attended five competitive meets, and gave time to the Abbott House in Mitchell just to name a few.
Looking back on the inaugural season
The first year of Tiger women's wrestling was active both on and off the mat in various ways gaining exposure for the program and the sport of women's wrestling, the first of such program in the state of South Dakota. First year head coach John Lynch hosted multiple open mat opportunities for young women to come get on the mat throughout the fall semester. The turnout for open mat nights was "amazing" and "encouraging" according to head coach Lynch.
The Tigers got on the mat for their first ever meet back on the 5th of November when they made the trip to Steven's Point, Wisconsin. Between the road trips to various colligate meets, DWU women's wrestling found time in their busy schedule to host a pair of youth tournaments. The two youth tournaments the women's wrestling team hosted or helped with coach Lynch stated, " it was a great turnout, and we look forward to the opportunity to host again in the future." With over 300 youth wrestlers in total the women's wrestling team has a lot to look forward to in the coming years.
Tiger women's wrestling even had time in the busy season to give back to the community of Mitchell with a donation to the Abbott House while they learned about all the different services, they provide young ladies and families.
Tiger women's wrestling looks to continue their strong helping hand and competitiveness on the mat in 2023-24 as well with the returning of sophomore Mady Sargent and seven incoming freshman currently with more to come.
Lynch's Thoughts
"This was a new experience for her [Mady] to wrestle at this level of competition. Transitioning back into wrestling when you have been out of it for a couple years is no easy task, but she showed up every day and her resolve never faltered. We would spend time adjusting then in the next tournament we would see her adjustments on the mat. We still have plenty of work to do as we move into the offseason training, but I am incredibly proud of her efforts this season and we are looking forward to next year."