KANSAS CITY, M.O. (NAIA) – Jamestown will host the 2019 NAIA Women’s Wrestling Invitational, the national office announced on Wednesday. The invitational will be held on March 15-16, 2019.
The NAIA added women’s wrestling as an invitational sport beginning the 2018-2019 academic year after the National Administrative Council (NAC) unanimously approved the motion at the NAIA National Convention in Kansas City, Mo., in April 2018.
The NAIA is the first intercollegiate athletics association to officially recognize women’s wrestling.
“The NAIA is thrilled to have the University of Jamestown host the 2019 Women’s Wrestling National Invitational,” said Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO. “This is a milestone event for women’s wrestling and we are confident that Jamestown will deliver an exceptional experience for student-athletes, coaches, and fans.”
“The University of Jamestown looks forward to hosting this tournament,” University of Jamestown President Dr. Polly Peterson said. “We have been committed to women’s wrestling for a decade and are pleased that it is now an NAIA sport. The University and the Jamestown community look forward to welcoming the athletes and their fans. The University is appreciative of the support and participation that it received from the community as we moved through the site selection process.”
Harold Newman Arena will be the site for the event. The $16 million building opened September 29, 2017, and has already been the host to a college conference basketball championship tournament, high school regional basketball game, and many state, local and regional events. The 61,000 square foot facility features a private meeting room overlooking the floor, which combined with the lobby, can seat 350 people. There are 8 locker rooms, two concession stands, a game day athletic training room and conference room.
“We are proud to host the first NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Invitational,” Jamestown Director of Athletics Sean Johnson said. “It’s a terrific opportunity to showcase Harold Newman Arena, our community and our state. This is the sixth NAIA wrestling national championship we’ve hosted here in Jamestown and one of the big reasons is our strong wrestling community. By hosting this event, we hope to grow women’s wrestling in our state and region.”
Harold Newman Arena is connected by a hallway to a brand new, state of the art athletic training center and the school’s 6,000 square foot wrestling room, recently renovated 5,500 square foot weight training center with adjacent locker room space.
Twenty-five NAIA institutions – including Jamestown — are anticipated to field women’s wrestling teams during the 2018-2019 season, up from 19 the year prior. Women’s wrestling will be eligible for championship status after two years of competition as an invitational sport, and 40 institutions sponsor a varsity women’s wrestling team.