Alma, MI – After three seasons as Head Women's Wrestling Coach at Alma College, Katlyn Pizzo will be departing the program. Pizzo will be moving to Southern Oregon University, where she will serve as Head Women's Wresting Coach.

"I would like to thank Katlyn and her staff for establishing a strong foundation for Alma's women's wrestling program." said Interim Director of Athletics Kiana Verdugo-Maday. "We wish her the best of luck as she continues her coaching career at Southern Oregon."

Pizzo served as the first head women's wrestling coach in Alma College's history, having helped to get the program off the ground in the Summer of 2022. After a year of building in 2022-23, the program has just completed its second varsity season. In her time at Alma, she coached eight NWCA Scholar-All Americans and four NCWWC national qualifiers, and her wrestlers collected 304 individual bout victories in two seasons. Her teams posted an 8-11 dual meet record, including a 6-3 mark in 2024-25 that saw the Scots defeat a pair of nationally ranked opponents. 

"Coaching at Alma College has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life." said Pizzo. "Starting this program and building relationships with such incredible and driven young women has been an incredible journey. I've always believed that my purpose is to care for others, and help them chase their fullest potential. Alma gave me the opportunity to live out that purpose every day. While saying goodbye is difficult, I leave with a deep gratitude and confidence that this program will continue to thrive. My student-athletes know that I love them, am proud of them, and will always be their biggest fan. I'll always be proud to have been a part of the Alma Scots family."

Under Pizzo, Alma's second varsity season (2024-25) was marked by rapid growth and progress. The Scots broke every individual and team single season record that they set as a team in '23-24. Alma exploded from 84 individual bout wins to 220, and scored 716.5 team points compared to 345.0 the season before. The Scots also recorded an increase of 89 wins by fall from 41 to 130. MacKenzie Burger qualified for NCWWC nationals for the second straight season, and Alma posted four NWCA Scholar All-Americans for the second straight year. On the dual meet side, Alma finished 6-3. It marked the first winning season in program history, and included the program's first dual meet win at home, and their first wins over nationally ranked opponents, defeating #21 Tiffin and #16 Otterbein.

The Scots finished their first varsity season in 2023-24, setting standards and making their presence felt. Alma picked up a pair of dual meet victories, with the program's first win coming over Simpson College, a 29-9 decision. The Scots went on to collect 64 points and a 7th place finish at NCWWC Regionals, before finishing level for 31st at NCWWC Nationals. The highlight of the season was Burger, who Pizzo cornered as she took down a returning all-american in the opening round of Nationals. Burger won 22 bouts on the year, and was ranked 15th at 101 pounds, the first individual ranking in program history.

Alma College will begin a national search for its next Head Women's Wrestling Coach shortly.