Waynesburg tabs Castro as new women’s wrestling coach
Waynesburg University has a new women’s wrestling coach.
Leilah Castro has been hired to take over the Yellowjackets’ program, which will enter its third season this winter.
The announcement was made on Wednesday.
Castro spent the last two years as an assistant at Otterbein.
“We are thrilled to welcome Leilah to the Waynesburg University Athletic Department,” Fusina said. “She has a passion for helping her athletes and has become an accomplished coach in a short period of time. She separated herself in the interview process by sharing her vision for our program and how she will lead the young women. She is organized, personable and will be a great addition to our university.”
Castro replaces Karli Thomas, who coached the program in its first two seasons.
“First, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to lead the women’s wrestling program at Waynesburg University,” Castro said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to be doing what I love as a career. I’m looking forward to building something special here. There are big goals for the program and I’m eager to bring that vision to life.”
While at Otterbein, Castro helped build the women’s wrestling program from scratch.
Otterbein saw some individuals have quick success.
Olivia Shore won the 103-pound National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling championship last year.
Castro also helped Kellie Kennedy qualify for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championships at 110 pounds. The Cardinals saw four other members of their roster place in the top six of their respective weight classes to earn regional medals. Earlier in the season, freshman Morgan Leonhardt won the 124-pound championship at the Division III National Invitational.
Last year, Otterbein posted a 9-8 record in dual matches and placed fifth out of 18 teams at the NCAA Women’s Region III Championships.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned at Otterbein was the importance of trusting the process, especially within a developing program,” Castro said. “The early stages require a lot of patience, hard work and sacrifice, but those efforts eventually pay off. Whether that is watching an athlete achieve their goals on the mat or in a classroom, each is so rewarding to a coach. It’s just as important to appreciate the losses as they result in the most growth. I’ve learned how important it is to stay committed and value the journey as much as the results.”
Castro, an Ohio native, was a successful high school and collegiate wrestler.
Not only did she win the 121-pound championship at the inaugural Ohio Girls State Wrestling Tournament in 2020, but she pinned all five opponents she faced on her way to the crown and was lauded as the Toccara Montgomery Most Outstanding Wrestler Award by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association.
Castro wrestled for NAIA powerhouse Campbellsville (Ky.), where she helped the team win two national championships.
Individually, she placed second in the NAIA at 123 pounds in 2022.
Castro was on the 2018 U.S. Women’s Freestyle Cadet Word Team. She went 3-2 with a pin and a win by technical superiority on her way to a fifth place showing.