Doane University, located in Crete, Nebraska, is set to introduce Greco-Roman wrestling as a new sport starting next fall. This style of wrestling, which is the oldest form offered at the Olympics, does not allow grabbing an opponent’s legs. Doane will become the first NAIA school to include Greco-Roman wrestling as a varsity sport, with plans to focus on developing athletes for world and Olympic teams rather than conference or national championships. The university aims to become a pipeline for Team USA and international rosters in this popular style of wrestling.
Head wrestling coach Dana Vote expressed excitement about the new addition and emphasized that the Greco-Roman team will be treated like any other varsity sport with a full-time coach, recruiting efforts, travel budget, and participation in events. The decision to add Greco-Roman wrestling was influenced by the success of Tyson Beauperthuy, who represented Team USA at the Pan-American Games and won the U.S. Championship in this style. The university hopes to hire a coach for the new team in the coming weeks and finalize the roster.
In addition to Greco-Roman wrestling, Doane University also added women’s wrestling three years ago, showcasing its commitment to expanding the sport offerings and providing opportunities for athletes in various disciplines. The university’s move to embrace Greco-Roman wrestling reflects its goal of elevating the U.S.’s standing in this style of wrestling on the global stage.
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