Hilltopper Wrestling is set to host the 2022 NCAA Division II Super Region Three championship tournament. The one-day event is scheduled to take place on Feb. 26, 2022 inside the ASRC on WLU’s main campus; therefore, giving Head Coach Danny Irwin’s team the opportunity to defend their regional title from home next year.

Teams from fellow schools in the Super Three Region including Ashland, Davenport, Findlay, Glenville State, Indianapolis, Lake Erie, Notre Dame (Ohio), Ohio Valley, Tiffin and Wheeling as well as WLU’s own black and gold will spend their season competing for a spot in the regional tournament competition. “Having the opportunity to host another NCAA regional isn’t just a great thing for us, it’s a great thing for all the other Super Region 3 teams,” said Irwin. “Hosting these events is no small or easy task but our administration and staff always do an astounding job of ensuring a first-class experience for all the coaches and student-athletes. I’m sure that’s why we’ve been selected to host so many championship events.” This will be the fourth time WLU has been chosen as hosts for the competition.

This season’s success for WLU wrestling tipped the scales towards the Hilltop as next year’s selection as championship hosts. The wrestling team’s hard work and commitment which earned them a fourth place finish in the national competition, a first place victory in the regional race and several individual honors has paid off and will allow Irwin’s squad a home advantage next year. “Any time you get to sleep in your own bed and are familiar with facilities, you’re going to do a little bit better,” said Irwin.”After the year we’ve all gone through, a nice bonus to having the regional here is helping give some of our local Ohio Valley businesses a little boost as they work to get back to where they want to be. I know our coaches and student-athletes are looking forward to having a full and raucous crowd in the arena next February, which will definitely give our guys a bump in their performance!”

The black and gold will still be putting in the same effort heading into the 2022 competition with the team work ethic and atmosphere at an all time high. “Our team has an all in approach,” said Irwin. “If you’re in, you’re in. If you’re out, you’re out. At that time of the year our guys understand what the purpose is… to compete at the highest level possible.”

The Hilltoppers head into the 2022 season with a strong returning squad and some eager incoming wrestlers. “Since my first day here, it’s been all about the team. It’s not about any one person,” said Irwin. “We’re stewards of the program and there is going to be another head coach after me and there will be more student athletes after the current group. We choose to continue to build upon the rich tradition that West Liberty has in wrestling or there’s no other way but to go forward.”

West Liberty Athletic Director Lynn Ullom said, “We’re excited and honored to have been chosen to host the 2022 NCAA Division II wrestling regional. We have a long history of successfully conducting first-class NCAA events at our venues and appreciate the opportunity to bring yet another championship tournament to the Ohio Valley.” This follows a successful win by the WLU Men’s Basketball team after they hosted the Atlantic Region Championship earlier this year.