The most shocking transfer in women’s college wrestling history may have just happened. Sage Mortimer entered the transfer portal following two successful seasons at King University. She placed third at the 2022 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships at 109 pounds and reached the finals earlier this year. 

Her new school of choice happens to be a brand new school. Grand Valley State — a D2 program in Grand Rapids, Michigan — recently resurrected its men’s program and added women’s wrestling. The women’s team begins its first year of competition during the 2024-25 season. 

New Lakers head coach Jake Short is off to a fast start with the addition of Mortimer who will redshirt this season. 

“Our facilities are next level,” Short said. “We expect to be competitive right away. There are some good things happening fast."

Short recently finished his second season as the head women's wrestling coach at Augsburg University in Minnesota where he guided the Auggies to a fifth-place finish at the 2023 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. As an athlete, he was a four-year starter and a three-time national qualifier for the University of Minnesota. 

Mortimer had a successful high school career that included four Fargo titles and six All-American honors. She recently competed at the 2023 U23 World Team Trials where she was controversially disqualified during her best-of-three finals against Emily Shilson. 

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Sage Mortimer looked sharp during her quarterfinal win at the 2023 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships.