Women's Wrestling Joins Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference as Affiliate Member for 2025-26 Season
— Elmira College Athletics (@ECSoaringEagles) June 6, 2025
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ELMIRA, N.Y. – Elmira College is proud to announce that its women's wrestling program will join the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) as an affiliate member beginning with the 2025–26 academic year. This move aligns with the NCAA's recognition of women's wrestling as an official championship sport, marking a significant milestone in the program's growth.
The Soaring Eagles have rapidly ascended in the collegiate wrestling landscape, highlighted by their first-ever NCWWC Region I Championship title in February 2025. The team edged out Sacred Heart University with a narrow 154–152 victory, propelling eight wrestlers to the national stage and showcasing the depth and competitiveness of the roster.
"Joining the AMCC provides our student-athletes with a structured conference environment that fosters growth and competition," said Elmira College Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce. "As women's wrestling gains momentum nationally, we're excited to be part of a conference that supports and advances the sport."
Head Coach Cody Griswold, entering his sixth season at the helm, expressed enthusiasm about the new affiliation: "The AMCC's commitment to women's wrestling offers our athletes enhanced opportunities for development and recognition. We're eager to contribute to the conference's competitive spirit and uphold the high standards of Elmira College athletics."
Elmira's women's wrestling program has consistently demonstrated growth and success, boasting a roster that features multiple All-Americans and national qualifiers. The team's recent achievements and the upcoming conference affiliation position the Soaring Eagles for continued excellence in the evolving landscape of collegiate women's wrestling.
The AMCC, established in 1997, has a history of embracing affiliate members to bolster its sports offerings. Elmira College's inclusion reflects the conference's dedication to expanding women's sports and providing diverse competitive opportunities for student-athletes. The AMCC hosted its inaugural Women's Wrestling Invitational in February 2025, with the Hiram College Terriers winning the title.
Hiram, which completed its fourth season on the mat, is joined by fellow conference members Alfred State, Buffalo State, and Penn State Altoona.
For more information on Elmira College women's wrestling and updates on the upcoming season, visit athletics.elmira.edu.
ABOUT THE AMCC
The AMCC is an alliance of NCAA Division III institutions whose mission is to provide our students with an intercollegiate athletics program that advances their educational experience in a way that is safe, equitable, respectful, rewarding and balanced.
The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference was initially formed by a group of six colleges and universities, under the leadership of Dr. Richard McDowell, President of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The conference incorporated as a 501(c) (3) organization in 1997, and play began in the 1997-98 academic year for men's and women's sports.
The conference comprises nine members, located in Western Pennsylvania and Western New York, and includes both private and public institutions. All are required to be active or provisional members of the NCAA Division III.