FROM THE NEST | SUMMER 2025 | 31 ATHLETICS NOTES FIRST FEATS Outfielder Kelly Fricker was named to the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 list, a list that recognizes the top first-year softball players across the country, with Fricker being one of six players from mid-major conferences recognized and the first Lehigh student-athlete to receive the honor. It was among numerous accolades Fricker received, including second team Freshman All-American, first team All-Patriot League, second team NFCA All-East Region and Patriot League Rookie of the Year. On campus, Fricker received the John S. Steckbeck Award as Lehigh’s top first-year female student-athlete. Her 79 hits tied Lehigh’s single-season record and ranked 18th in the nation while her .439 batting average led the Patriot League and was 20th nationally. Her 17 doubles tied for the league lead. STAFFING UPDATES Lehigh football added Jeff Comissiong as the team’s defensive line coach and Tom Jurkovec as linebackers coach this offseason. Both coaches join Lehigh from Boston College, where they helped guide the team to a 7-6 record and an appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl against Nebraska at Yankee Stadium. The two replace Demeitre Brim (joined University of Central Florida coaching staff) and Ben Thaw (Austin Peay State University). One of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, women’s wrestling continues to extend its reach by becoming Lehigh’s 26th varsity sport, with official competition beginning this academic year. Lehigh is the sixth Division I institution to add women’s wrestling and the first Division I program in Pennsylvania to do so. Nationally, over 100 NCAA member institutions either sponsor or have announced plans to sponsor women’s wrestling. Pennsylvania alone is home to 24 collegiate women’s wrestling programs—21 at the NCAA Division II or III level and three in the NJCAA—and more than 100 girls’ high school wrestling programs are now sanctioned in the state. “Lehigh has a proud and storied tradition in wrestling, with our men’s program nationally recognized for both its competitive success and its commitment to developing scholar-athletes,” said Jeremy Gibson, Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics. “Elevating women’s wrestling to varsity status is a natural and exciting next step for Lehigh University and our athletics department. This decision reflects our deep commitment to equitable opportunities for all student-athletes and to sustaining excellence—both on the mat and in the classroom. We are thrilled to welcome women’s wrestling to our varsity family.” In January, the NCAA announced the inclusion of women’s wrestling as its 91st championship sport. The inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship is set to take place during the 2025–26 season. The women’s wrestling program enters varsity status with a strong foundation, having already spent two years building a competitive team at the club level. The 2024–25 roster featured 26 wrestlers, including several nationally ranked student-athletes recruited and mentored by head coach Brazel Marquez, who will continue in her role as Lehigh transitions to varsity competition. —Steve Lomangino WOMEN’S WRESTLING Women’s Wrestling Earns Varsity Status Competition begins this year, with the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship set for the end of the season. “THIS DECISION REFLECTS OUR DEEP COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES ... ” — Jeremy Gibson, Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics
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