Shannyn J. Gillespie, known as Coach Shannyn around campus, has been the head coach for women’s wrestling for three years here at Lakeland University. Coach Shannyn also is an advocate for women’s wrestling and high-performance training. Gillespie commented that they recruit from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa where many of his current roster is from.

Gillespie said he chose to coach at Lakeland because of the opportunity to coach for a “women’s freestyle wrestling program.” He also mentioned that it was close to home, Chicago.

When asked Gillespie what his biggest accomplishments in coaching have been, he replied, “The biggest accomplishment in coaching wrestling is coaching at all levels from kids’ clubs to the U.S. Olympic Education Center. Being able to coach wrestling at the club, high school, junior college, & university level for both genders is the highlight of my career so far…”

Lakeland’s Preview Days are open to high school students, and they provide a wrestling camp/clinic to conclude the visit to those who are interested. The remaining spring date is April 28. more info: https://lakeland.edu/womens-wrestling-camp

“We also provide “off-campus” clinics to high schools and wrestling clubs so that those who are unable to attend Lakeland at the above Preview Days have the opportunity to wrestle with Lakeland University Women’s Wrestling,” said Gillespie.