Four years ago, women’s wrestling at Cornell was just beginning as a club sport. Today, the team is celebrating a milestone as Olivia Cotton ’26 and Cheyenne Mulford ’26 graduate on May 10 as the first Rams to be on the wrestling team all four years.
As one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the country, they needed strong leaders to support the new program. Head Coach Boston Jacobs says Cotton and Mulford’s determination provided the foundation for the new team.
“As a coach, it is easier to teach someone wrestling than how to be tough and have heart,” Jacobs said. “Cheyenne and Olivia both had that, and it not only helped them grow, but it was the base upon which the Cornell women's wrestling program was built.”
That growth culminated this year when the Rams hosted the first home dual meet in school history, earning a win against Central College. Mulford and Cotton’s leadership and dedication helped lay the groundwork for that milestone. From the start of their wrestling days, despite being in different weight classes, they were always ready to go, which was apparent when they practiced together.
“Both being aggressive wrestlers, I had to tell them several times to turn it down a bit during drilling. They wrestled each other in our first intrasquad meet, where Cheyenne actually broke Olivia's nose–and Olivia refused to wear a mask to cover it.”
Cheyenne Mulford: Most dedicated teammate
Mulford was the first wrestler to come to the Hilltop after Cornell announced the kickoff of women’s wrestling. She was eager to wrestle in college and wanted to stay close to home in Solon, Iowa.
“Cornell was the perfect fit for me,” Mulford said.
Another perfect fit? Her Kinesiology major. She’s remained dedicated to her studies over the past four years as she works toward a future as a physical therapist. She has enjoyed the One Course At A Time schedule, saying it has allowed her to thrive both as a student and a wrestler.
“Classes are done by 3 p.m., and practices start after 3:30 p.m., depending on the day. I like having that set schedule and being able to work on homework after practice or during free time,” Mulford said. “The teachers and coaches all work together to make sure academics come first, while still helping you be the athlete you want to be.”
Her dedication on the mat and in the classroom doesn’t go unnoticed by her coach and teammates.
“Her hard work and her commitment to the program earned her our ‘Most Dedicated’ award each of her years here,” Jacobs said. “Outside of wrestling, whether it was recruiting needs or team needs, she was always there to help.”
She was always there to help, not just because that’s what you do on a team, but because the team and her sport supported her in return.
“It helped me get better grades. It gave me friends and teammates who helped me grow as a leader and become more outgoing. Wrestling has also helped me find who I am and improved my mental health,” Mulford said. “The women’s wrestling team at Cornell is like no other team I’ve been on—we always pick each other up when someone is struggling. If someone is slacking, we hold them accountable. We’re always there for each other.”
Olivia Cotton: A high-energy leader 
Cotton didn’t come to Cornell intending to be on the wrestling team, but she doesn’t regret her choice to join when it started in 2022.
“I am extremely proud and grateful to be one of Cornell’s first student athletes to be on the wrestling team all of the first four years of Cornell’s women’s wrestling program,” Cotton said.
Cotton credits her time on the team with improving her patience, empathy, and motivational skills. Jacobs says Cotton has become a high-energy, vocal leader who always cheers on her teammates.
“Olivia is also one of the toughest, most gritty athletes that I have coached, and that brought her success even in her short wrestling career,” Jacobs said. “It enhanced the atmosphere in the room and made recruits feel at home when they visited.”
But for Cotton, it was the coaches who created a supportive atmosphere. They created practices that were fun, challenging, and rewarding, setting the stage for consistent growth.
“Coach Boston and Kara (Rivard) care so much about the program and have gone above and beyond ensuring that each athlete succeeds,” Cotton said. “They really advocate for the mental health and the overall well-being of their athletes.”
Cotton, who is completing an individualized major in international sales and marketing, says Cornell’s block plan–and the cooperation between professors and coaches–made it easier to meet the demands of both athletics and academics. Because of the block plan, she was able to balance two practices a day, classes, study time, and even fit in extra workouts before a big match. Cotton often led the way during a tournament.
In the team’s second year at the regional tournament, and first under the NCAA, Cotton placed 5th and became the first regional place winner in school history. She also placed 6th at the D3 National Invitational.
As the team looks to the future and its two all-stars transition into what’s next, 15 new student-athletes will join the team. The advice these seniors had for these younger athletes was simple.
“Focus on priorities,” Cotton said. “It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and distracted by all of life’s challenges. But you can’t solve them all at once, so prioritize what is most important to you during the current chapter of life that you’re in.”
Mulford pointed out that, although life can sometimes be overwhelming and distracting, you can’t solve all your problems at once and have to prioritize them. It’s all about the amount of effort put in.
“It’s important to work hard toward your goals in both school and athletics,” she said. “But the biggest lessons I’ve learned at Cornell, both in school and athletics, are to be myself and be confident in the work I’ve put in on and off the mat.”
For more information on the women’s wrestling team, check out their webpage for news and statistics, as well as future rosters and schedules.