UPJ D-II National Champ Ealy Joins Eagle Wrestling Program As Assistant Coach

Ashland University head wrestling coach Colt Sponseller has announced the addition of Jacob Ealy as the Eagles' assistant coach.
 
Ealy won a 2024 NCAA Division II national title at 149 pounds for Pitt-Johnstown. He was a four-time D-II All-American for the Mountain Cats – first in 2024, fifth in 2023, third in 2022 and eighth in 2021.
 
"I'm excited to have Jacob come in," Sponseller said, "because I look at his time at UPJ and the success he's had, and that's something that we strive to have at Ashland. To have a guy with his resume stepping in to the assistant coaching position is exciting."
 
"I'm extremely excited. I'm very grateful for the opportunity," said Ealy, who won 113 matches at UPJ and became the program's 15^th D-II national champ. "Grateful to be able to work alongside coach Colt. It's nice being able to coach at a university that has been so consistent over the years."
 
Former AU assistant and national champion Bret Romanzak will stay with the program as a volunteer assistant coach.
 
"I like having younger coaches in here, because of that relationship with the student-athlete," Sponseller said. "Bret will be a great tool for Jacob."
 
In 2023-24, Ashland wrestling won its third Great Midwest Athletic Conference title in four years, and tied for 29^th at D-II nationals.