Presbyterian Women's Wrestling Ready to Battle for NCAA Trophy Spot
Presbyterian College made history as the first school to add a Division I Women's Wrestling program, and now head coach Brian Vutianitis has built a team that is competing with the nation's best. The Blue Hose finished fifth at the 2026 NCAA Championships with 10 national qualifiers and six All-Americans, and they are positioned for another strong run this season.
The team finished 27 points behind Grand Valley State for the final trophy spot and 29 points ahead of Lehigh for fifth. They also took fifth at the NWCA National Duals, including a 26-19 win over Lehigh on January 30.
Translation: Presbyterian was on its own island last season. They were well ahead of the pack but out of contention for a trophy. The Blue Hose had a consistent top-to-bottom lineup with an All-American caliber wrestler at every weight, but they needed a finalist or two for a trophy run.
Vutianitis should feel optimistic about this season's team. He has nine returning NCAA qualifiers and eight returning All-Americans on a deep team that will require tough roster decisions at multiple weights.
This team is good, and anyone who overlooks the Blue Hose will do so at their own peril.
Key Battles at the Lightest Weights
The lightest two weights are the most interesting. Chloe Dearwester, a sixth-place finisher at nationals, is the obvious frontrunner for the 110-pound spot, but everything else is wide open. The absence of Sloane Kruger leaves a battle for 103, including newcomer Daylee Watson, who will vie for the spot.
Jenna Anderson (117) has a unique skill set and can give anyone she wrestles problems. Her memorable match against U23 World champion Sage Mortimer at the National Duals showed what she can do before a second-period injury default. She took time off, regrouped, and rebounded for a sixth-place finish at nationals, including tight consolation matches against Briann Gonzalez (Iowa) and Carleigh Czerneski (Adrian).
Where Presbyterian Can Gain Ground
The next three weights are where Presbyterian can gain ground. Alyssa Mahan finished eighth at 124, and Kassey Daugherty (131) and Carina Giangeruso (138) didn't place, but both can reach the podium. Giangeruso finished fourth at nationals in 2025 and can find her way back. Liz Donovan is vying for the starting spot at either 131 or 138 and has the talent to do so.
Maddie Kubicki (145) is the rock of this team, finishing fourth, sixth, and fourth at nationals the past three seasons. She can reach NCAA finals at her best.
May Cuyler (160) finished fifth at the NCAA Championships but is trending upward after a quality off-season. She reached the best-of-three finals of the U20 World Team Trials by knocking off a returning World Teamer, before falling to three-time U17 World champion Taina Fernandez.
Former high school star Kaylie Hall will look for a spot at 160 or 180, but will contend with Cuyler or past All-American Henlee Haynes (180). Haynes finished eighth at the 2024 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships.
Maria Aiono (207) finished seventh at the 2026 NCAA Championships, but Grace Leota could earn the spot.
What Coach Vutianitis Says About the Upcoming Season
One of the biggest things I am excited about this year is putting ourselves in another situation to have one of the toughest dual seasons in the country. Last year we matched McKendree for most dual wins in the NCAA at 18, and about half were against top 15 or top 10 teams.
Vutianitis also highlighted the team's growth and maturity.
Our room is full of hungry, talented, and now, finally, fully tested individuals who all want to represent our program at the highest level. This is the most mature our team has been in terms of experience, and we're excited to see how that plays out in terms of consistency and ownership of their position on the team. We have 30 wrestlers who would make an impact at this level, so I'm excited that we're all together and getting better every day.
Can Presbyterian Challenge the Big Four?
This should be a promising season for Presbyterian. The Blue Hose have lots of weapons and will contend with the Big Four (McKendree, Iowa, North Central, and Grand Valley State) and a much improved Lehigh squad. King and Colorado Mesa are always formidable, and Division III Wartburg should not be overlooked during the final season with all teams competing at the NCAA Championships.
Another top five finish is completely on the table. It feels like this team is a lock to finish between fourth and sixth.
2026-27 Presbyterian Overview
- Head coach: Brian Vutianitis (fourth season)
- Assistants: Morgan Norris, Cody Oswalt, Patrik Garren
- 2026 NCAA tournament finish: 5th
- 2026 NWCA National Duals finish: 5th
- 2026 NCAA tournament record: 22-23
- 2026 NCAA tournament points: 83.5
- 2025-26 dual record: 18-3
- Returning All-Americans: 8 (Chloe Dearwester, Jenna Anderson, Alyssa Mahan, Maddie Kubicki, May Cuyler, Maria Aiono, Henlee Haynes, Carina Giangeruso)
- Returning NCAA qualifiers: 9 (Chloe Dearwester, Jenna Anderson, Alyssa Mahan, Kassey Daugherty, Carina Giangeruso, Maddie Kubicki, May Cuyler, Henlee Haynes, Maria Aiono)
Lineup Options
- 103/110: Anna Maralit, Anna Ockerman, Chloe Dearwester (6th), Daylee Watson, and Samantha Van der Weken
- 117: Jenna Anderson (6th), Charlee Shuler, Camdyn Elliott
- 124: Alyssa Mahan (8th, 8th), Camdyn Elliott
- 131: Kassey Daugherty, Liz Donovan
- 138: Carina Giangeruso (4th), Liz Donovan
- 145: Maddie Kubicki (4th, 6th, 4th), Zoe Griffith
- 160: May Cuyler (5th), Kaylie Hall
- 180: Henlee Haynes (8th), Kaylie Hall
- 207: Maria Aiono (7th), Grace Leota