Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Women's Wrestling Coach
Clay Wenger arrives to Kent State University in October of 2026 as the school's first-ever Women's Wrestling Head Coach. Wenger spent two seasons as the inaugural head coach at the University of Mount Union, where he orchestrated the successful launch of a new NCAA program. He grew the roster from zero to 30 student-athletes within one calendar year, leading the Purple Raiders into a national competitor. He was a member of the Kent State Men's Wrestling team from 2011-2015, where he wrestled under the current director of wrestling and men's head coach, Josh Moore, who was a Kent State assistant coach at the time.
In Wenger's most recent coaching stint, he coached two national qualifiers and eight regional placers. As a team, Mount Union finished in the top 10 at regionals and in the top 25 nationally with teams from all Divisions. Another highlight of his coaching career came last year at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships in Coralville, Iowa. Abigail Mozden became the first All-American at Mount Union as she finished fifth at nationals.
Prior to launching the Mount Union women's wrestling program, Wenger oversaw all levels of the storied Wadsworth wrestling program as head coach in Northeast Ohio. He maintained a 71-12 dual meet record while balancing rigorous academic expectations and character development. Top achievements as a team included five sectional championships, two district championships, and five regional dual titles. As for individual success, Wenger produced 24 state-placers, 17 All-Americans, and four state champions, which includes current Kent State men's wrestling standout Chris Earnest, who was a Mid-American Conference Champion in 2026. In 2021, he was named the Greater Cleveland Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
Wenger also served as the head coach of USA Wrestling's freestyle program, where he specialized in developing Olympic-style wrestling for elite prospects. He coached one freestyle Cadet National Champion, one FILA national champion, and five freestyle All-Americans. He also built one of the premier clubs in the area, the BattleZone Wrestling club, 15 years ago, and continues to run day-to-day operations. They have trained over 30 state champions and were named a top-three club nationally in 2016 and 2017.
