Former Kent State wrestler becomes Flashes' first women's head coach
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KENT — Mount Union's loss is Kent State's gain.
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Kent State athletic director Randale L. Richmond announced on Sept. 29 that Clay Wenger will be the Golden Flashes' first women's wrestling head coach. The team will start competition in the fall of 2027.
Wenger was the Mount Union women's wrestling team's first head coach during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. The former Flashes wrestler grew the Purple Raiders' roster from zero to 30 in the first calendar year. He coached two national qualifiers, eight regional placers and a top 25 national ranking with teams from all divisions.
Under Wenger, Abigail Mozen became Mount Union's first All-American. She finished fifth at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships last season.
“Clay has already demonstrated that he knows how to take a program from an idea to a nationally competitive operation, and he brings the same vision and energy to Kent State," Richmond said in a university release. "His experience, combined with his history as a Golden Flash and his deep roots throughout Northeast Ohio wrestling, gives him a unique understanding of what this program can become."
Wenger was a member of Kent State's wrestling team from 2011-15. Kent State director of wrestling and men's head coach Josh Moore was an assistant at the time.
"Clay brings the exact blueprint, vision and work ethic needed to launch our women’s wrestling program from the ground up,” Moore said in a statement. “Having already successfully built a program from scratch in Ohio, he understands how to establish high-level standards, a winning culture, and a Division I environment from day one. I couldn't be more excited to partner with him as we build a championship foundation for Kent State."
Prior to starting the Mount Union women's wrestling program, Wenger was a high school head coach at Wadsworth. He coached 24 state placers, 17 All-Americans and four state champions. One of his state champions was current Kent State wrestler Chris Earnest, who won a Mid-American Conference title last season.
Wenger is happy to be coming home.
“I am looking forward to building a strong program and following the rich tradition Kent State athletics sets," Wenger said in a statement. "This is a dream come true for me, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Former Kent State wrestler becomes Flashes' first women's head coach