MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's wrestling program is growing by strength in numbers in Year 2 under head coach
Boston Jacobs.
The Rams have bolstered their roster to 17 wrestlers, more than tripling the size from their inaugural season as a varsity program.
"When you look around our (practice) room, we have a lot more bodies now," Jacobs said. "We have a good foundation. We've started to put down the pavers and now need to add bigger blocks. We will continue building."
The Rams are young with 14 newcomers on the team, although collectively much more experienced in the sport. Jacobs believes that will translate to competitions, which begin Saturday at the Luther Hill Invitational in Indianola.
"We have good talent on this team with a lot of potential," Jacobs said. "We want to grow on their wrestling experiences and become more confident in their wrestling abilities. They need to prove to themselves that they can battle with other teams. They can do it if they put the work in."
The Rams have a full schedule ahead with 16 competition dates. Cornell's first-ever women's home meet is Dec. 13 against Central. The Rams also host the Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitational Jan. 18.
Cornell has several dual meets on the docket, highlighted by a trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena Nov. 16 for the University of Iowa Duals in Iowa City. The Rams will compete at the NCWWC Region Championships for the first time Feb. 22-23 in Indianola.
Juniors
Cheyenne Mulford (117 pounds) and
Olivia Cotton (145) have been named 2024-25 team captains. Senior
Emma Stevenson (145) also brings collegiate experience to the lineup.
Cotton led the Rams in wins last season, posting a 13-12 record. Mulford finished 10-13 with a team-high seven falls.
Jacobs knows his large incoming class will make an immediate impact.
Jasmine McCaskel (145),
Ciara Gomez-Bryant (131),
Maddie Pulis (160) and
Adison Musser (131) are among the talented first-year wrestlers.
"We have a very strong group coming in," Jacobs said. "We're excited to see what they can do."
