The West Liberty women’s wrestling program enters its third season, and the 2026-27 team could finish in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships. Head coach Troy Bell went on the recruiting trail to round out a team that finished 19th at the 2026 NCAA Championships, led by Cassia Zammit’s fourth-place national finish at 131.
“Coming off a tough blood-round loss at my freshman NCAA tournament, I am hungrier than ever and ready to make my statement on the mat this season,” said 124-pounder Mariah Mills. “Iron sharpens iron in our room, and with my teammates pushing the pace every single day, our team standard is higher than ever. We are locked in to do some big things this year.”
Below is a breakdown of the upcoming season and potential line-ups.
2026-27 Season Overview
Head Coach: Troy Bell
2026 NCAA Finish: 19th
Returning All-Americans: 1 (Cassia Zammit)
Returning National Qualifiers: 7 (Trinity Howard, Mariah Mills, Cassia Zammit, Grace O’Korn, Tehana Savory, Jamie Shapton, Jocelyn Cacek)
Total number on team: 26
103: Lisa Pastoriza, FR
Pastoriza is a Tiffin transfer who was ranked as high as second in the country in high school and was a 2024 U17 World Team Trials finalist.
110: Shaniah-Lee Ferreria, FR
Ferreria was a three-time Hawaii state place winner (2nd, 5th, 3rd) at 100 pounds.
117: Trinity Howard, SR or Justice Anthony, FR
Howard was a two-time NAIA qualifier for Montreat (2023-24) and was the first wrestler in program history to qualify for the national tournament. Anthony was a four-time West Virginia state champion and a 2023 16U (Fargo) All-American (8th at 122).
124: Mariah Mills, SO
Mills reached the Round of 12 at the 2026 NCAA Championships and is a U20 All-American.
131: Cassia Zammit, JR, 2X All-American
Zammit has secured her spot as the best wrestler in the program’s two-year history, finishing fourth at the 2026 NCAA Championships, losing twice to Lehigh’s Aubre Krazer in competitive matches. She finished fifth for Presbyterian at the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships before transferring to West Liberty after the 2025 season.
138: Artemis Eaton, FR or Grace O’Korn, JR
Easton is a four-time undefeated Georgia state champion with a 140-0 record and 137 falls. O’Korn is a 2025 NCWWC qualifier.
145: Cailyn Castro, SO or Savannah Bramhall, JR
Castro transferred from Point Park, where she was the team MVP, and went 2-2 at the U20 and U23 National Championships. Bramhall was a four-time North Carolina state champion.
160: Tehana Savory, SO
Savory was the lone qualifier from New Jersey City University at the 2026 NCAA Championships.
180: Jamie Shapton, SR
Shapton qualified for the 2026 NCAA Championships at 207 pounds and is dropping to 180 for the 2027 season.
207: Aubrey Bartowiak, FR or Jocelyn Cacek, SO
Bartowiak will make an immediate impact after winning the 2026 Junior National Championships at 235 pounds. Cacek transferred from Frostburg State, where she was a 2025 regional champion and a 2025 NCWWC qualifier.