Doane to Add Greco-Roman Wrestling in Fall 2025

Doane University is expanding their athletic offering with the addition of Greco-Roman Wrestling, which will begin in Fall 2025. The addition will expand on the recent success and growth within the wrestling program at Doane, which currently features two Top 15 NAIA programs in men's and women's wrestling.

"We are excited to add Greco-Roman Wrestling to our highly successful men's and women's wrestling programs," Director of Athletics Mark Wateska said. "Greco-Roman Wrestling is one of two styles of wrestling in the Olympics and is considered to be one of the most popular styles of wrestling in the world. Doane would be on the forefront of offering this style of wrestling in the U.S. and gives us an opportunity for growth while offering a new and unique program to our students."

Recent national and international success has developed a relationship with USA Wrestling and with the addition of Greco-Roman Wrestling, Doane's Director of Wrestling Dana Vote sees the addition as a win-win situation for the university and the growth of the sport.

"I look forward to growing our relationship with USA Wrestling as we try to continue to put people on National and World teams," Vote commented. "Our athletes have displayed they can compete with the best around the world while also achieving academic success."

Over this past summer, Doane's Tyson Beauperthuy represented Team USA at the Pan-Am Games in June, taking second place in Greco-Roman in the 87kg division. He won the U.S. Championship in late May. Beauperthuy also competed in the World University Games for Beach Wrestling in September, walking away with a gold medal in the 90kg division.

Cristelle Rodriguez won the U20 World Championships in freestyle women's wrestling in September and is a two-time U20 U.S. Champion. She competed at the Olympic trials in April. The women also had three All-Americans (Top 8) at the U23 U.S. Championships, Ashlee Palimo'o, Aevri Ciha, and Aspen Barber. 

"Depth is the key, in order to grow the sport of Greco," said Cheney Haight, National Greco-Roman Development Coach for USA Wrestling. "We must create opportunities for athletes to train and compete. I'm very excited about the program at Doane University as I think it'll provide the opportunities we'll need to push our sport to the next level."

The search for the program's head coach will begin immediately with roster recruitment starting once a coach is named.