Life University’s (Life U) Men & Women Wrestling teams have a distinguished reputation, being one of the premier NAIA programs in the country. Each team boasts several National Champions, All-Americans and a multitude of additional team and individual titles. The women’s program is led by Head Coach Ashley Flavin and supported by Assistant Coach Christian Flavin. The men’s program is led by Coach Omi Acosta and supported by assistant coaches Cole Manion, Dalton Bailey, Enrique Early and Sid Ohl.

As wrestling athletes in each of the respective programs look toward graduation, the paths that each athlete takes will ultimately differ. There are opportunities for athletes to qualify for larger tournaments (e.g., the Summer Olympic Games) and continue into a professional career. Others look toward coaching at the various levels that exist within the sport, ranging anywhere from developmental youth programs to collegiate level programs.

Yet recently, Life U has begun to observe another path that has presented itself for wrestlers post-graduation from Life U – World Wrestling Entertainment, more commonly referred to as the WWE.

Initially founded in 1953 as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, The WWE organization has a deep history in the world of entertainment wrestling. Today the organization is the largest in the world with two different tours – Raw & Smackdown – as well as their ‘Next In Line’ developmental program, based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

On January 26, 2023 Peyton Prussin made history as the first female and NAIA collegiate athlete to be included in WWE’s NXT program. Prussin was a three-time NAIA champion for the Life U Running Eagles and also a finalist for the USA Women’s Wrestler of the Year Award. She is currently listed on the WWE roster by her stage name, Kendal Grey.

On the men’s side, Zane Lanham is a four-time All-American and two-time National Champion wrestling for Life U. Lanham recently caught the attention of the WWE via social media videos that had been circulating of him competing. The organization reached out to him to participate in a series of trials for their NXT developmental program.

Lanham is an athlete who finds a deep sense of purpose through staying close with the sport of wrestling post-graduation.

“I was once that kid looking up to those collegiate wrestlers,” he explains, affirming his faith in the path he has had with wrestling while looking to give back to the youth coming up in the sport today.

Although the paths of wrestling student-athletes may vary from individual to individual, the desire to stay close to the sport remains prevalent. Life University is proud of its wrestling student-athletes who strive for success both on and off the mats.

For more information surrounding Life University Wrestling and other competitive Life U sports, please visit LifeRunningEagles.com.