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Cedar Crest College Unveils New Wrestling Facility During Homecoming Weekend

Allentown, PA (10/28/2026) — Cedar Crest College celebrated the opening of its new wrestling facility on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony during Homecoming Weekend. The new space reflects the program's growth and Cedar Crest's commitment to expanding opportunities for women in collegiate athletics.

Supported by funds raised through the College's five-year comprehensive capital campaign, the facility features a six-circle wrestling mat surrounded by wall mats, a separate area for cardio, stretching and film study, and offices for the head coach and graduate assistant coaches. The facility is part of more than $3 million invested in Cedar Crest Athletics through the campaign.

Since its launch in 2022, Cedar Crest wrestling has grown from six student-athletes to a team of 20. The team features regionally and nationally ranked wrestlers and has compiled a 16-3 record over the past two seasons. Its achievements also include 14 NWCA Academic All-Americans, eight regional place-winners, and multiple individual tournament champions.

Cedar Crest was the first college in the Lehigh Valley to establish a collegiate women's wrestling program, creating new opportunities for women to compete in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

"Women's wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in collegiate athletics, and Cedar Crest has chosen not simply to watch that growth happen, but to be part of it," said Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Elizabeth Wilson. "As a college primarily for women, we have the opportunity-and the responsibility-to continue expanding the spaces where women can compete, lead, take risks, and redefine what is possible."

"Our new wrestling center represents so much more than walls, mats, and equipment. It represents belief, opportunity, growth, and investment in our student-athletes and their success," said Athletics Director Christy Fleagle.

Head wrestling coach Alex Depew sees the facility as a milestone for both the athletes who built the program and those who will follow.

"This room gives our student-athletes a space they can truly call their own in what was once a traditionally male-dominated sport," said Alex. "It represents progress. It represents growth. And it represents what is possible when women are given the opportunity to compete and succeed."

Alex credited the student-athletes who helped build the program and paved the way for future wrestlers.

"Years from now, when the next generation of wrestlers walks into this room, they will be building on what these women started here," said Alex.

About Cedar Crest College

Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the College continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women's college and in the co-ed School of Adult and Graduate Education. The College is experiencing historic enrollment growth, including its largest fall entering cohort in its 159-year history. Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Colleges No. 36 in Social Mobility, among the top 100 universities and private schools in the region, and among the top schools for nursing. The College is also recognized among TIME's America's Best Colleges 2026-2027 and is ranked by Newsweek among the top 28% of all colleges nationwide for benefiting women.

Media Attachments

Members of the Cedar Crest College wrestling team with (from left) head wrestling coach Alex Depew, athletics director Christy Fleagle, graduate assistant wrestling coach Draydon Charman, assistant wrestling coach Steve Depew, and assistant wrestling coach Austin Warman.

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