WVU Potomac State College has announced the addition of men’s wrestling at the NJCAA Division I level, increasing its intercollegiate athletics offerings to 15 varsity sports. The addition of wrestling marks another significant step in Potomac State’s ongoing commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for student-athletes across the region.
“It is important for our student-athletes to not only advance their education in pursuit of career goals, but to also continue to be challenged by competing and further honing their athletic abilities,” said Dr. Jerry Wallace, PSC president, who was a two-sport university athlete himself. “Student-athletes develop important life skills like discipline, teamwork, goal setting, and perseverance, all of which will serve their futures.”
The new wrestling program will provide student-athletes from West Virginia and neighboring states—Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland—the opportunity to compete at a high level while benefiting from the College’s reduced tuition rates for regional residents.
With the addition of wrestling, Potomac State becomes the third NJCAA Region 20 institution to sponsor the sport, joining Garrett College (Division I) and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (Division III).
“Wrestling aligns perfectly with the values, work ethic, and resilience that define our region,” said Mandi Larkin, Director of Athletics at WVU Potomac State College. “We are looking to recruit hard-working student-athletes who are committed to competing both on the mat and in the classroom. This program will strengthen our athletic department while creating new opportunities for students to continue their wrestling careers.”
According to data from the National Wrestling Coaches Association, high school wrestling participation during the 2023–24 academic year exceeded its highest levels since 1976, with more than 291,000 high school boys participating nationwide. Despite this growth, only three percent of high school wrestlers advance to compete at the collegiate level, compared to approximately five percent in most other sports. Additionally, wrestling has the second-highest percentage of first-generation college-bound students among all collegiate sports, further aligning the program with Potomac State’s mission and student population.
Potomac State has continued to build momentum through the athletic and academic success of its student-athletes. While the baseball program has long been recognized for sustained excellence, several other teams have emerged as regional and national contenders in recent years. The softball program has advanced to the NJCAA World Series in each of the past four seasons after capturing NJCAA Region 20 Championships, and the cross country programs have experienced significant growth since restarting in Fall 2021. The women’s cross country team has won four consecutive region titles and advanced to the NJCAA National Championship, while the men’s program claimed its first NJCAA Region 20 Division II Championship in school history this season and earned a trip to nationals.
“As the only NJCAA institution in the state of West Virginia, we take great pride in representing our Mountain State,” Larkin added. “Potomac State offers students the opportunity to pursue a high-quality education while continuing to compete in the sport they love.”
The men’s wrestling program is scheduled to begin competition in Fall 2026, and a national search is underway for the program’s inaugural head coach. Recruitment efforts have already begun to identify student-athletes interested in helping establish the foundation for Catamount Wrestling.
For more information about the men’s wrestling program, please contact Director of Athletics Mandi Larkin at amanda.larkin@mail.wvu.edu or Assistant Athletic Director Noah Klingler at noah.klingler@mail.wvu.edu.