Ithaca College WomenS Wrestling Team Embarks on Historic Inaugural Season
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A new era of collegiate athletics has begun at Ithaca College with the launch of its women’s wrestling program, poised to establish a benchmark for future success. The team, currently comprised of nine athletes, is navigating the challenges of a first-year program while demonstrating promising potential under the guidance of experienced leadership.
Building a Foundation for success
Head coach Ryan Ciotoli, an Ithaca College alumnus (’02) and former assistant coach for the IC men’s wrestling team from 2002-2008, is at the helm. He’s joined by assistant coach Joel Ferrara, who substantially improved the win record at SUNY Cortland from .227 to.500 during his tenure from 2000-2002. Ciotoli expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership,stating that Ferrara brings “30+ years coaching and wrestling”-a wealth of experience and insight-and an ability to “see things pretty quickly,” whether it’s refining technique or optimizing practice drills.
The coaching staff’s collaborative history is proving beneficial. According to a first-year wrestler,the dual coaching structure allows for “one-on-one coaching that you wouldn’t really get on another sports team,” enabling a focused approach to individual betterment.
Early Competition and progress
The program marked its official debut with the Ithaca Invitational on November 12th. First-year wrestlers Arianna Leo and delaney Bisaillon both achieved 2-0 records at the meet, with Bisaillon extending her season record to an impressive 5-0. Senior wrestler Sammi Meyer also remained undefeated,winning all four of her bouts.
Despite the team’s limited size compared to typical wrestling squads of around 30 athletes, Ciotoli is strategically building the program, focusing on recruiting and carefully selecting competitions. “I was pretty picky on what events we were going to attend,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of finding events with similarly new programs or those offering a balanced level of challenge and opportunity for development.
cultivating Aggression and Technical Skill
Individual wrestlers are already demonstrating significant growth. Leo noted that Ferrara has been instrumental in helping her develop techniques to counter taller opponents, while also praising his ability to create a lighthearted yet focused practice environment. Leo herself is working on becoming more assertive in her technique. “I was never aggressive in high school,” she admitted. “Now I’m starting to get that fire…to really get at it.” She’s specifically focused on mastering “arm drags”-a essential move she hadn’t previously utilized-.
A Team United by Passion and Dedication
The team’s roster includes upperclassmen Sammi meyer and Anthony Wallace, both of whom reached out to Ciotoli after the program’s announcement in November 2024. While Wallace is currently unable to compete due to the NCAA’s transgender student-athlete participation policy enacted in February, they are contributing to the team’s success in a crucial role. Wallace has been appointed to handle all team film, recording matches and providing detailed analysis for teammates to review. “I’ll record every match, and then I’ll go through, get clips of all of the highlights…so the rest of the team can look at all of their clips and see what they need to work on,” Wallace explained.
Wallace’s dedication to the sport extends beyond the mat, fueled by a deep recognition for its strategic and athletic demands. “I’ve always loved wrestling,” they said. “I like the science of it and also the athleticism of it.”
Looking ahead, the Ithaca College women’s wrestling team will compete at the Millersville Women’s Open on November 16th in Millersville, Pennsylvania. The program’s inaugural season is already demonstrating a commitment to growth, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence, laying a strong foundation for a promising future.
