Kyle Klingman of Trackwrestling speaks with Jacque Davis of D1 Women’s Wrestling along with Princeton University Coach Chris Ayres and Columbia University Coach Zach Tanelli about bringing Division I women’s college wrestling to Ivy League schools.
Trackwrestling recently hosted a 30-minute round table discussion with Columbia head coach Zach Tanelli, Princeton head coach Chris Ayres and women’s wrestling advocate Jacque Davis on bringing Division I women’s college wrestling to Ivy League schools.
Although the round table discussion was simply a starting point to create momentum for women’s college wrestling, the conversation offered insight into growing the entire sport. Below are a few takeaways from the call.
You can watch the entire interview here.
Jacque Davis, women’s wrestling advocate
“We’re in an incredible place (for women’s wrestling). We’re at nearly 30,000 girls across the country that are wrestling at the high school level. We have 87 colleges — and growing — that are offering women’s wrestling.
“If we can get them in this space, maybe they’ll know it’s possible.”
Chris Ayres, Princeton head coach
“The benefit of wrestling is the same for women as it is for men. I just want women to have those opportunities. We’ve ignored the other half of humanity. This is good for wrestling, not just men or women. When you add a woman to your program you don’t just add one fan. You add her parents, her grandparents, her aunts, her uncles.
“For anyone who will listen, I will tell them the story of what’s going to happen down the road because we kind of know how this story is going to end. (Women’s) programs are going to exist at some point. It’s at what point do you want to adopt them. Do you want to be an early adopter and the best place where all the girls want to come? Whoever starts it in the Ivy, the best girls are going to go there.”
Zach Tanelli, Columbia head coach
“It’s about education. It’s our role. It’s our responsibility to create a sustainable place for these girls where they don’t have to choose athletics or academics.
“We are the oldest college wrestling program in the nation. We wanted to be the first women’s Division I program. It’s a bummer that we’re not. At the same time, we’re excited that some other Division I programs are starting. Our goal is to be the first Ivy League program started. Hopefully, it’s a day before Princeton and Harvard.”
