Alfred, NY – The Alfred State women's wrestling team has announced its 2026-27 competition schedule, featuring a challenging slate of invitationals, dual meets, and postseason opportunities throughout the Northeast and Midwest. The Pioneers will test themselves against strong regional competition while hosting several key events inside Orvis Gym.

Season Outlook

Head Coach Margaret Laine talked about this year's team and the upcoming season,

Heading into our fourth season as an established program, I am looking forward to watching my 'older' athletes develop as our team leaders and pass on the values that have been instilled into them through their years of wrestling for Alfred State. Along with featuring the biggest class of first year student-athletes to date, this year also boasts an addition of five assistants to our coaching staff; the Alfred State women's wrestling program has developed into a team that young women want to be a part of, and our mission to utilize wrestling as the vehicle to support our athletes so that they graduate from A-State happier, healthier, and more successful versions of themselves has encouraged community members to get involved. Our culture and the impact of our mission has become tangible, and that inspires positive expectations for what this season will bring. 

The season begins on Nov. 7 when Alfred State travels to the Ithaca Invitational in Ithaca, N.Y. The following weekend, the Pioneers will compete in the Norwich Tri-Duals in Northfield, Vt. (Nov. 14) before heading to the Utica Round Robin on Nov. 15.

A trip to Ohio highlights the late-November schedule as Alfred State competes at the John Carroll Duals on Nov. 22 in University Heights. The Pioneers return to Ohio on Dec. 5 for the AMCC Dual Championship before wrapping up the fall semester at the Hiram Round Robin on Dec. 13.

Following the winter break, Alfred State opens the new year with back-to-back home events. The Pioneers will host John Carroll University in a dual meet on Jan. 9 before welcoming teams to the annual Pioneer Invite on Jan. 10 at Orvis Gym.

The road schedule continues with a trip to Buffalo State on Jan. 12 and the Ursinus Invite in Collegeville, Pa. on Jan. 16. Alfred State then returns home on Jan. 30 to face D'Youville University before closing the regular season at the John Carroll Open on Jan. 31.

The postseason begins on Feb. 6 when the Pioneers compete at the AMCC Championship Tournament in Elmira, N.Y., with conference titles and national qualification opportunities on the line.

Looking at previous year's success, Coach Laine talked about the addition of Dianna Pineda to the coaching staff,

Her national championship appearance in the second and third year of our program's existence demonstrated that an athlete could be successful here, even during the program's genesis. During her career, she set an example that hard work pays off. Now, she has graced us with the greatest gift we could ask for: she's 'paying it forward' through joining our coaching staff. Dianna brings her consistent work ethic and high standards into this role. She has transformed her belief that she could find post-season success while wrestling for Alfred State into belief that any athlete can succeed in post-season here. Our coaching staff holds our team to rigorous standards, and Dianna has added a winner's energy to that tradition. Because of this, I am confident that this season will be our best one yet. 

Athletes to Watch

Coach Laine added this about athletes to watch for this year,

Our returners hit the ground running this October, having clearly made immense strength gains due to the diligence of our strength and conditioning coach, Matt Krawczyk, in the off-season. Jyla Johnson and Kierra Willis enter this season with an infectious desire to outperform their freshmen stats.

With a deep Freshman class, Coach Laine gave as a few to look at for as well,

We have an outstanding group of first year athletes wearing blue and gold this season, including individuals garnering both local and national recognition. I suspect we will see great things from Monique Teal and Jazalin Perez—two NYC athletes who have earned top finishes the last few years in the City Championship--as well as Naomi Arroyo of Indiana and Maila Daniels of Hawaii who come to college with notable H.S. State tournament placements in their respective states. 

With a balanced mix of tournaments, conference competition, and home events, the 2026-27 schedule provides the Pioneers with multiple opportunities to showcase their growth and compete against some of the region's top women's wrestling programs.

2026-27 Alfred State Women's Wrestling Schedule

• Nov. 7 – Ithaca Invitational (Ithaca, N.Y.)
• Nov. 14 – Norwich Tri-Duals (Northfield, Vt.)
• Nov. 15 – Utica Round Robin (Utica, N.Y.)
• Nov. 22 – John Carroll Duals (University Heights, Ohio)
• Dec. 5 – AMCC Dual Championship (University Heights, Ohio)
• Dec. 13 – Hiram Round Robin (Hiram, Ohio)
• Jan. 9 – vs. John Carroll University (Alfred, N.Y.)
• Jan. 10 – Pioneer Invite (Alfred, N.Y.)
• Jan. 12 – at Buffalo State (Buffalo, N.Y.)
• Jan. 16 – Ursinus Invite (Collegeville, Pa.)
• Jan. 30 – vs. D'Youville University (Alfred, N.Y.)
• Jan. 31 – John Carroll Open (University Heights, Ohio)
• Feb. 6 – AMCC Championship Tournament (Elmira, N.Y.)