History is being made at Delaware State University. The school’s newly launched women’s wrestling program—the first NCAA Division I women’s wrestling program at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)—has officially signed its first recruit: Louise Juitt, a top-ranked Olympic hopeful from Belton, Missouri.
View this post on Instagram
Juitt comes with an impressive résumé. Ranked No. 3 nationally among 140-pound female wrestlers, she was recently honored as the Kansas City Star’s Female Student Athlete of the Year for 2024–2025. She also holds the title of Missouri’s all-time leader in wins by a female wrestler, marking her as a dominant force on the mat and a powerful symbol of what’s to come for the trailblazing program at Delaware State.
The announcement signals not just a historic moment for the university, but for collegiate sports and the broader HBCU community. As women’s wrestling continues to grow in popularity, Delaware State’s bold move to launch a DI program puts it at the forefront of inclusion, innovation, and athletic opportunity.
Louise Juitt has her sights set on the Olympics, and now she’ll also be a foundational part of building a legacy for women’s wrestling at HBCUs. Her commitment marks the start of a new era—one where excellence, equity, and representation collide on the mat.
