Grand Valley State Women’s Wrestling Poised for NCAA Championship Run After Historic Inaugural Season
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The Grand Valley State Lakers are gearing up for a potential trophy run at the inaugural 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, building on a remarkable first season that saw them achieve unprecedented success. the program, launched in late 2024, quickly established itself as a force in collegiate women’s wrestling, culminating in a fourth-place finish at the 2025 national Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC).
A Season of Firsts
Everything was new for the upstart Lakers. Their first dual win came on November 16, 2024, a decisive 44-6 victory over Northern Michigan. The team experienced its first dual loss on December 8, 2024, falling to North Central by a score of 26-17. But the defining moments of the season were the individual accolades earned by Sage mortimer (110 pounds) and Katie Lange (138 pounds), who both secured national championships. Leading the charge was first-year head coach Jake Short.
The team’s success wasn’t simply about wins and losses, but about establishing a foundation for sustained growth. With 12 athletes qualifying for the NCWWC,five earning All-American honors,and two claiming national titles,the Lakers demonstrated immediate potential.
The team’s roster included Emily Medford, Libby Roberts, maggie Buurma, and Maddison Ward.
Building a Championship Culture
Short is focused on cultivating a strong team culture that extends beyond the wrestling mat. “What will be your culture the second you walk in the door? What are we trying to accomplish here? It’s bigger than just wrestling,” he explained.He views the team’s success as a catalyst for further growth, both individually and collectively.”It was a ton of fun, and it made us even hungrier and the coaching staff even more eager to learn and grow as ourselves. Even though we did a lot of great things this year, there’s a lot we can take from and get better. A ton. Plenty – especially me.”
2025-26 Grand Valley state Overview
- Head coach: Jake Short (second season)
- Assistant: Marlynne Deede
- 2025 NCWWC tournament finish: 4th
- 2025 NCWWC tournament record: 38-19
- 2025 NCWWC tournament points: 129.5
- 2025 dual record: 3-2
- Returning All-Americans: 7
- Last collage national champion: Sage Mortimer, Katie Lange (2025)
- Highest national tournament finish: 4th (2025)
- Highest national team finish under Short: 4th (2025)
- Most national placers in a season under Short: 5 (2025)
The Grand Valley State women’s wrestling team has quickly established itself as a program to watch, and with a dedicated coaching staff, a talented roster, and a commitment to continuous betterment, they are poised to make a meaningful impact on the national stage.
Development Over Results
Despite the notable results, Coach short emphasizes a long-term focus on athlete development. “We didn’t look at it as this big picture and that we’re fresh on the scene,” he stated. “We’re trying to make a statement, but what led to our development and success was focusing on the next task at hand.”
This approach centers on data collection and continuous improvement. According to short,the team meticulously analyzes performance – in practice and competition – to identify areas for growth.”We focused on individual development. We’re always trying to collect data. Whether we won or lost, whether we were in practice and had
