Presbyterian coach Brian Vutianitis wants to win, and his team’s sixth-place finish at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships was the highest in program history. Vutianitis served as the interim coach halfway through the 2022-23 season before assuming a permanent position the following year, and the team has improved steadily. 

The Blue Hose were the first Division I school to add women’s wrestling, a unique distinction as Vutianitis builds a cohesive culture in Clinton, South Carolina. 

“From the minute I took over as head coach, we met as a team with our freshmen who were moving this in the right direction,” Vutianitis said. “We’re the first Division I women’s wrestling program, but we want to be the model of why other programs want to add.

“I believe we’re in that position now as a team where we’re doing things really well on the academic side. We’re doing things really well in the community. We’re doing things really well on the mat. We’ve adopted a new theme this year, but we’re adopting a theme of lighting the way for the future of women’s wrestling.”

On paper, Presbyterian has a good team. There are six returning All-Americans in the line-up (seven if you include Paige Moore, who is graduating after the first semester) and a promising group of incoming freshmen. 

Alyssa Mahan (124), Carina Giangeruso (138), Maddie Kubicki (145), May Cuyler (160), Henlee Haynes (180), and Maria Aiono (207) finished between fourth and eighth at nationals at least once in the previous two seasons. Chloe Dearwester (110) had a good overall season, reaching the national quarterfinals before dropping her final two matches.

The biggest competition for starting spots will be at 103, 117, and 131. Anna Ockerman, Annalise Maralit, Grace York, and Sloane Kruger will duke it out at 103, and a couple might bump up to 110 if needed. 

Incoming freshman Jenna Anderson, a fifth-place finisher at Junior Nationals, will battle Charlee Shuler at 117, and Fargo champ Zoe Griffith will take on Kassey Daugherty at 131. 

Although there are All-Americans there, incoming freshmen Kaylie Hall (160) and Grace Leota (180) will challenge for starting spots. 

“We’ve built it methodically in a way that we are all on the same page and really, really love wrestling, but they’re just a family,” Vutianitis said. “They’re the most positive people I’ve been around and they are the most fun people to be around. 

“They’re just solid, good people that are here to work together. This year will be a defining moment for a lot of these girls. A lot of these girls are going to make their mark this year. We have people who have been on the cusp, and I think this is their time to break through.”

2025-26 Presbyterian Overview

Head coach: Brian Vutianitis (third season)

2025 NCWWC tournament finish: 6th

2025 NCWWC tournament record: 33-33

2025 NCWWC tournament points: 91

2025 dual record: 14-4

Returning All-Americans: 7 (Alyssa Mahan, Carina Giangeruso, Maddie Kubicki, May Cuyler, Henlee Haynes, Maria Aiono, Paige Moore) *Moore is on the team but is scheduled to graduate early

Last college national champion: Jaslynn Gallegos, Morgan Norris (2020, WCWA)

Highest NCWWC team finish: 6th (2025)

Highest NCWWC team finish under Vutianitis: 6th (2025)

Most national placers in a season under Vutianitis: 6 (2025)

Prospective Line-up

103 Pounds
Anna Ockerman
Annalise Maralit
Grace York
Sloane Kruger

110 Pounds
Chloe Dearwester

117 Pounds
Charlee Shuler
Jenna Anderson

124 Pounds
Alyssa Mahan (8th)
Liz Donovan

131 Pounds
Kassey Daugherty
Zoe Griffith

138 Pounds
Carina Giangeruso (4th)
Zoe Griffith

145 Pounds
Maddie Kubicki (4th, 6th)
Isabella Gretzinger 

160 Pounds
May Cuyler (6th)
Kaylie Hall
Isabella Gretzinger
Lilly Latrell

180 Pounds
Henlee Haynes (8th)
Grace Leota

207 Pounds
Maria Aiono (6th)
Grace Leota