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Sierra Chiesa seeks a reset.
Somewhere that she can escape the spotlight that has followed her historic wrestling career. Where she can blend in among her peers.
She’ll get that at Gannon University. But perhaps not for long.
Chiesa needs no introduction among Erie County wrestling fans. The Northwestern senior blazed a trail of PIAA records, including the first D-10 championship and PIAA appearance by a female, the first girl to 100 career wins and more.
Two days after competing at the 51st annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, Chiesa shared her hopes to simply lay low at Gannon, for which she recently committed to wrestle. That might not be possible, though, given the program’s current trajectory under head coach Erin Vandiver.
Vandiver scored her first All-American this March. Tom Boyd’s Gannon men followed with two more.
Whatever they’re doing inside the wrestling room at 140 W. 12th St. is working. It’s created a stalwart NCAA Division II men’s program and a women’s team surging toward elite NCAA company.
What’s behind this consistent success? How did a school of 3,000 undergraduates grow into a collegiate wrestling powerhouse?
Whatever it is, Chiesa wanted in. They’re sure excited to have her.
“(Chiesa’s commitment) is huge on so many different levels,” Vandiver said. “For her, for us, for our room, for intensity. We’re excited for her, and I know she’s excited to be here.”
More Chiesa history: Century mark: Sierra Chiesa's milestone a first for female high school wrestlers in Pennsylvania
Building a champion: How Erie’s Carter Starocci made NCAA wrestling history
Nyla Burgess placed fourth at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She is Gannon’s first female All-American wrestler.
Gannon finished 14th among 64 teams.
What’s significant about that? Unlike men’s college wrestling, just one national tournament exists for women.
That pits Gannon against name brand universities such as Iowa, Columbia and Colorado State. Despite an additional 15 teams competing compared to 2024, Gannon jumped 18 spots in team scoring.
Not bad for a D-II school.
“I had a couple of options in the back of my head, but then I visited (Gannon) and met some of the girls,” Chiesa said. “I really liked the room, and I know (Vandiver) has a great background.”
Vandiver envisioned this rise when hired in 2023 to pilot a program sanctioned in 2018. Year two brought a top 10 dual meet ranking and an NCWWC Region 4 team championship.
“I remember sitting in the wrestling room and talking about (winning regionals),” Vandiver said. “Everyone verbalized, 'Yeah, we can do that.' Seeing the buy-in from that point and raising the level of training intensity… It took a lot of support and work from everybody.”
Gannon hires Vandiver: How Erin Vandiver plans to build Gannon into a national women's wrestling power
The Gannon men would like a word.
They’ve done this for years. They, too, utilized Erie County talent in 2025, including a third-place NCAA finish at heavyweight from 2020 Cathedral Prep graduate Dorian Crosby.
Gannon placed second at the Super Regional One tournament and 16th of 51 teams at D-II nationals. Crosby and 133-pounder Jerry Echevarria (seventh place) ensured a sixth consecutive season with at least one All-American.
“We’re always trying to get better, and we’re still trying to get better,” said Boyd, who concluded year two as head coach after succeeding longtime boss Don Henry. “We just had a great room, and I think that just breeds more success.”
Boyd replaces Henry: Wrestling head coach Don Henry spent 39 years with Gannon. Here's why he's retiring now.
Crosby, a two-time D-I national qualifier at Bucknell, headlined a recruiting class which also featured Lock Haven transfers Logan Sallot (McDowell) and Patrick Jackson. Gannon finished 16th in The Open Mat’s D-II dual rankings, and Jackson won Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.
“What a pleasure it was to have (Crosby) in our room,” Boyd said. “You’re never quite certain how it’s going to turn out, and Dorian was nothing but exceptional from the first day he walked in. A leader, 100% effort, a leader and did everything I asked.”
Crosby, a super-regional champion, followed his national quarterfinal loss with four consolation victories, including a win over top-seeded Crew Howard of Nebraska-Kearney. Gannon sent nine of 10 possible wrestlers to nationals.
“I’m happy, but we have a lot of work to do, and I was back to work Sunday at 6 a.m.,” Boyd said. “Until I place 10 at the national tournament and we win the national championship, I’ll just want to do it again. You just need to keep chasing perfection.”
Technique series: Watch these high school wrestling moves and techniques that lead to success on the mat
Chiesa first met Vandiver roughly 10 years ago.
Vandiver, founder of the women’s wrestling program at famed preparatory destination Wyoming Seminary, coached Chiesa at one of her first freestyle tournaments. Despite minimal interactions afterward, Chiesa didn’t forget Vandiver while competing for Northwestern.
Vandiver’s Grove City career from 1998-2001 inspired Chiesa’s pursuit of PIAA wrestling history. Chiesa aspired to become the first female PIAA qualifier – a feat she twice achieved – and knew that Vandiver, a Lock Haven University wrestling alumna with expansive international experience, had come the closest.
“It was kind of cool that she was my competitor; something to use for motivation,” Chiesa said.
Chiesa’s senior season saw her set Northwestern’s career wins record (130) and reach 60 career falls. She’s a two-time sectional champion, 2023 District 10 champ and two-time Northwest regional runner-up.
She’ll now spar with Vandiver, a quality partner according to Chiesa given the pair’s similar size and style. Chiesa also enjoyed Gannon’s locality and relaxed environment, driving her choice over women’s powers such as North Central and McKendree.
“I don’t want to be known,” Chiesa said. “I don’t want to walk into a room and everyone be like, 'Oh, that’s Sierra Chiesa. I wish I could just wrestle for myself and no one knows who I am.”
Two nationally acclaimed wrestling programs at the same school? Boyd and Vandiver offered matching explanations.
Administrative support. Academic value. “The full package,” as Vandiver said.
But neither head coach considered 2024-25 an attainment of their potential.
“We have the potential to compete with the best teams in the country, and I think I’m starting to put together the guys who really want to do it,” Boyd said. “When a team takes nine to the national tournament, it’s just about a few more moments. We’re going to put those together.”
Given the trajectory of this wrestling hub on the shores of Lake Erie, Chiesa’s break from the spotlight could be short-lived.
“We do want to mix it up, and we are in with (top) programs on the mat,” Vandiver said. “We will keep rising.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Sierra Chiesa commitment adds to Gannon wrestling's national prowess
Continue reading...
Somewhere that she can escape the spotlight that has followed her historic wrestling career. Where she can blend in among her peers.
She’ll get that at Gannon University. But perhaps not for long.
Chiesa needs no introduction among Erie County wrestling fans. The Northwestern senior blazed a trail of PIAA records, including the first D-10 championship and PIAA appearance by a female, the first girl to 100 career wins and more.
Two days after competing at the 51st annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, Chiesa shared her hopes to simply lay low at Gannon, for which she recently committed to wrestle. That might not be possible, though, given the program’s current trajectory under head coach Erin Vandiver.
Vandiver scored her first All-American this March. Tom Boyd’s Gannon men followed with two more.
Whatever they’re doing inside the wrestling room at 140 W. 12th St. is working. It’s created a stalwart NCAA Division II men’s program and a women’s team surging toward elite NCAA company.
What’s behind this consistent success? How did a school of 3,000 undergraduates grow into a collegiate wrestling powerhouse?
Whatever it is, Chiesa wanted in. They’re sure excited to have her.
“(Chiesa’s commitment) is huge on so many different levels,” Vandiver said. “For her, for us, for our room, for intensity. We’re excited for her, and I know she’s excited to be here.”
More Chiesa history: Century mark: Sierra Chiesa's milestone a first for female high school wrestlers in Pennsylvania
Building a champion: How Erie’s Carter Starocci made NCAA wrestling history
On the rise
Nyla Burgess placed fourth at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She is Gannon’s first female All-American wrestler.
Gannon finished 14th among 64 teams.
What’s significant about that? Unlike men’s college wrestling, just one national tournament exists for women.
That pits Gannon against name brand universities such as Iowa, Columbia and Colorado State. Despite an additional 15 teams competing compared to 2024, Gannon jumped 18 spots in team scoring.
Not bad for a D-II school.
“I had a couple of options in the back of my head, but then I visited (Gannon) and met some of the girls,” Chiesa said. “I really liked the room, and I know (Vandiver) has a great background.”
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Vandiver envisioned this rise when hired in 2023 to pilot a program sanctioned in 2018. Year two brought a top 10 dual meet ranking and an NCWWC Region 4 team championship.
“I remember sitting in the wrestling room and talking about (winning regionals),” Vandiver said. “Everyone verbalized, 'Yeah, we can do that.' Seeing the buy-in from that point and raising the level of training intensity… It took a lot of support and work from everybody.”
Gannon hires Vandiver: How Erin Vandiver plans to build Gannon into a national women's wrestling power
Staying power
The Gannon men would like a word.
They’ve done this for years. They, too, utilized Erie County talent in 2025, including a third-place NCAA finish at heavyweight from 2020 Cathedral Prep graduate Dorian Crosby.
Gannon placed second at the Super Regional One tournament and 16th of 51 teams at D-II nationals. Crosby and 133-pounder Jerry Echevarria (seventh place) ensured a sixth consecutive season with at least one All-American.
“We’re always trying to get better, and we’re still trying to get better,” said Boyd, who concluded year two as head coach after succeeding longtime boss Don Henry. “We just had a great room, and I think that just breeds more success.”
Boyd replaces Henry: Wrestling head coach Don Henry spent 39 years with Gannon. Here's why he's retiring now.
Crosby, a two-time D-I national qualifier at Bucknell, headlined a recruiting class which also featured Lock Haven transfers Logan Sallot (McDowell) and Patrick Jackson. Gannon finished 16th in The Open Mat’s D-II dual rankings, and Jackson won Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.
“What a pleasure it was to have (Crosby) in our room,” Boyd said. “You’re never quite certain how it’s going to turn out, and Dorian was nothing but exceptional from the first day he walked in. A leader, 100% effort, a leader and did everything I asked.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Crosby, a super-regional champion, followed his national quarterfinal loss with four consolation victories, including a win over top-seeded Crew Howard of Nebraska-Kearney. Gannon sent nine of 10 possible wrestlers to nationals.
“I’m happy, but we have a lot of work to do, and I was back to work Sunday at 6 a.m.,” Boyd said. “Until I place 10 at the national tournament and we win the national championship, I’ll just want to do it again. You just need to keep chasing perfection.”
Technique series: Watch these high school wrestling moves and techniques that lead to success on the mat
Full circle for Chiesa
Chiesa first met Vandiver roughly 10 years ago.
Vandiver, founder of the women’s wrestling program at famed preparatory destination Wyoming Seminary, coached Chiesa at one of her first freestyle tournaments. Despite minimal interactions afterward, Chiesa didn’t forget Vandiver while competing for Northwestern.
Vandiver’s Grove City career from 1998-2001 inspired Chiesa’s pursuit of PIAA wrestling history. Chiesa aspired to become the first female PIAA qualifier – a feat she twice achieved – and knew that Vandiver, a Lock Haven University wrestling alumna with expansive international experience, had come the closest.
“It was kind of cool that she was my competitor; something to use for motivation,” Chiesa said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Chiesa’s senior season saw her set Northwestern’s career wins record (130) and reach 60 career falls. She’s a two-time sectional champion, 2023 District 10 champ and two-time Northwest regional runner-up.
She’ll now spar with Vandiver, a quality partner according to Chiesa given the pair’s similar size and style. Chiesa also enjoyed Gannon’s locality and relaxed environment, driving her choice over women’s powers such as North Central and McKendree.
“I don’t want to be known,” Chiesa said. “I don’t want to walk into a room and everyone be like, 'Oh, that’s Sierra Chiesa. I wish I could just wrestle for myself and no one knows who I am.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Gannon’s secret sauce
Two nationally acclaimed wrestling programs at the same school? Boyd and Vandiver offered matching explanations.
Administrative support. Academic value. “The full package,” as Vandiver said.
But neither head coach considered 2024-25 an attainment of their potential.
“We have the potential to compete with the best teams in the country, and I think I’m starting to put together the guys who really want to do it,” Boyd said. “When a team takes nine to the national tournament, it’s just about a few more moments. We’re going to put those together.”
Given the trajectory of this wrestling hub on the shores of Lake Erie, Chiesa’s break from the spotlight could be short-lived.
“We do want to mix it up, and we are in with (top) programs on the mat,” Vandiver said. “We will keep rising.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Sierra Chiesa commitment adds to Gannon wrestling's national prowess
Continue reading...
