Shanna Morris named DC's first women's wrestling head coach
DEFIANCE, Ohio – After announcing a new women's wrestling program on July 2, Defiance College is welcoming Shanna Morris as the team's first head coach, the DC Athletic Department announced on Wednesday.
"I am very excited to help bring women's wrestling to Defiance College and Northwest Ohio, offering a huge opportunity for women to compete past high school and earn scholarship opportunities for their education," said Coach Morris. "After speaking with members of Defiance, I truly felt that this is a place dedicated to helping its student-athletes grow into successful, well-rounded individuals. I am very eager to build a program that not only fosters academic and athletic success but that also emphasizes the core values of the NAIA: respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and servant leadership."
Morris comes to Defiance from Lourdes University after serving as an assistant coach for the Gray Wolves last season. Her work with the Lourdes women's wrestling team last year helped produce two NAIA All-Americans, including the second straight national title for Stefana Jelacic. In addition to her role at Lourdes, Morris assisted the Toledo Rogers' High School wrestling program last winter as well.
Morris also finished her college wrestling career at Lourdes as an NAIA national qualifier in 2024. Prior to Lourdes, she wrestled at Tiffin University for four seasons and reached the NCAA national competition three times, which included two All-American finishes. She was part of Tiffin's first women's wrestling team in 2018, which was the first program of its kind in Ohio's college ranks, and the first female wrestler to compete at the college level out of Marion Harding High School.
A Marion, Ohio native, Morris completed her bachelor's degree in business administration at Tiffin in 2022. She is currently finishing her master's in business administration at Lourdes.
"We're thrilled to welcome Shanna as the first head coach of our women's wrestling program," said DC Athletic Director Tiffani Selhorst. "Women's wrestling is the fastest-growing female sport in the country, and Coach Morris has been at the forefront of that growth as a competitor and a coach. Her first-hand experience within a new program is exactly what we need to establish a strong foundation here at Defiance. Her passion, leadership, and vision will be instrumental in shaping a program that empowers and elevates our student-athletes."
Defiance College women's wrestling is currently recruiting for the inaugural 2026-27 season. Recruiting inquiries can be directed to Coach Morris at smorris@defiance.edu.
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