NCAA College Preview Series: #7 Tiffin Dragons

101-pound Olivia Shore won a national title last season as a freshman. Photo courtesy of Tiffin Athletics.

by Derek Levendusky
Twitter: @AWWderek

TIFFIN, OHIO – Keep an eye on Tiffin women’s wrestling. They’ve been slowly and quietly building a program that is now a top 4 threat in the NCAA. After taking 4th at NWCA National Duals last year in the NCAA division, the Dragons took 7th at last season’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Adrian, Michigan. Their squad boasts one national champion from last year and two All-Americans, with Olivia Shore winning it all at 101, while freshman Solana Mottola 5th at 130 while senior Taylor Hites placed 6th at 155. She’s now a grad assistant with the program. Here’s a chat with new women’s head coach Chandler Minnard.

1. What are your reflections on last season?
Last season was exciting! We had 10 National Qualifiers, three All-Americans and our first ever National Champion! We also placed 4th at the National Duals which was our program's highest finish.

2. Talk about your returning class. Who are some of the women you have high expectations for this year?
Returning we have two All-Americans in Solana Mottola who was 5th at 130lbs last season, and we also have our returning National Champion (101lbs) Olivia Shore coming back—while also having a team that returns three former All-Americans and seven more returning national qualifiers! We are very excited about the current talent we have and want to show that by starting our climb to bigger and better successes!

3. Talk about your incoming freshmen class and/or transfers. Who are you excited about and what are some of the names that you expect an immediate contribution from?
We had an incoming class of nine freshmen and one transfer. One of our freshman to keep an eye on is Jenavi Alejandro a multiple time high school All-American and 3-time state champion. Another freshman to look out for is Erin Martin; she is a 2022 Ohio High School State Champ.

4. How do you feel about your preseason?
This preseason has slowly been getting the heat turned up. The weight room has definitely been a big focus with also really getting our lungs ready for the long season ahead!

5. Talk about some of your team's goals this season. Are there any specific events you're excited about?
We have a Team Goal of being trophy hunters this offseason so we’re looking for a Top 4 team finish at the Nationals this March, while also having a team goal of placing in the Top 4 at NWCA National Duals in January. On December 29th and 30th we hope to be one of the top teams amongst some of the top collegiate women's programs in the country in Coralville, Iowa at the Soldier Salute Open.

6. What are some things you've built into your program that you credit for the success you've had so far?
Our program is built on being a family and being there for our family in all facets of life. We pride ourselves on hard work and out-working our opponents.

7. Who are some of the personalities in the room that are providing leadership and shaping your culture?
Paige Lenhardt has been a great leader in the pre-season, being a product of what we preach. She is a 3.6 GPA student, and has a great attitude about anything we are doing whether it is conditioning or fundraising, while also finding a way to always give everything she has to our team every day!

Schedule:

November
Sun. 6 ESU Open (9:00 am) - East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Sat. 12 Adrian Duals (9:00 am) - Adrian, Mich.
Fri. 18 Missouri Valley Open (12:00 pm) - Missouri Valley College
Sat. 19 Missouri Valley Open (9:00 am) - Missouri Valley College

December
Fri. 2 Trine (7:00 pm) - Tiffin, Ohio
Sun. 11 Sacred Heart (11:00 am) - Sacred Heart University
Sun. 11 Western New England (11:00 am) - Sacred Heart University
Sun. 18 Desert Duals - Las Vegas, Nev.
Thu. 29 Soldier Salute Open - Coralville, Iowa

January
Fri. 6 NWCA National Duals - Louisville, Ky.
Sat. 7 NWCA National Duals - Louisville, Ky.
Fri. 20 Hiram - Hiram College
Fri. 20 Albion - Hiram College
Fri. 20 Davenport - Hiram College
Wed. 25 Adrian (10:00 am) - Tiffin, Ohio
Sat. 28 Warrior Open - Indiana Tech

February
Sun. 5 McKendree Open (9:00 am) - McKendree University
Sat. 18 Super Region 3 Tournament - UW-Stevens Point

March
Fri. 3 National Championships - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sat. 4 National Championships - Cedar Rapids, Iowa