If the Schreiner University wrestling coaching staff has its way, wrestling will be a powerhouse soon, and the Mountaineers showed that Thursday afternoon with victories over visiting Wayland Baptist.
Wayland didn’t have a lot to mount a serious challenge against the deep Mountaineers, but the women’s match proved entertaining. Victoria Craft won a narrow 3-1 decision in the 191-pound class against Wayland’s Anai Santiago — a victory that sealed the dual-meet victory for the Mountaineers.
“That match was really important to me,” said Craft, a junior from Omaha, Neb.
After a tactical battle, Craft held off Santiago, but after the match, Craft said the future of women’s wrestling is bright.
“It’s going to be one of the biggest sports in the world,” she said. Based on growth patterns, Craft is right. The sport is increasing at the NCAA Division II and III levels. Division I programs are coming online, led by the University of Iowa — which features a storied men’s program. Women’s wrestling lived on the sidelines for years, but since 2018, at least 25 states have added separate girls’ wrestling championships, including Texas.
Schreiner women’s coach Tarkyia Mensah said Craft’s performance was a reason why the sport is growing. “I’m so proud of her,” Mensah said. “She got a win at home.”
On the men’s side, coach Mario Guzman said the sport is primed to grow for both boys and girls in Texas and the Hill Country. The Schreiner men won four of the five matches contested against Wayland Baptist. The Mountaineers’ next match is the NCAA Division III regionals, and Schreiner features one of the best grapplers in the nation, with Austin Cooley in the 197-pound class. Cooley is ranked No. 7 in the nation.
