MARTINS FERRY — Kent State-Tuscarawas is expanding its athletic department for the second consecutive year after joining the United States Collegiate Athletic Association—USCAA— more than a year ago.

Last fall, KS-T began fielding teams in women’s volleyball, men’s golf, as well as men’s and women’s cross country, bowling and basketball. Baseball, softball and men’s and women’s track and field started in the spring. Wrestling and men’s and women’s soccer will begin this fall.

One of the first wrestling recruits is Martins Ferry heavyweight Dom Wallace, who finished third in the Division III state tournament last winter in Columbus.

“I’m excited. The first time I visited the campus I fell in love with it,” Wallace said. “I really liked the coach. He was real nice.

During this past season, Wallace, a 4-year letterman, was ranked among the top wrestlers in Ohio’s heavyweight ranks and proved those prognosticators right with his third-place finish in the state. He was also third in the OVAC Ron Mauck Tournament.

Wallace went 45-6 last season and was 85-26 for his two-year varsity career.

“Dom had a fantastic two years as a varsity wrestler,” Martins Ferry head coach Chaz Yoder said. “He came along really good. He is a really hard worker and I’m proud of what he accomplished in his career.”

Wallace said it will be a privilege to be the foundation for building a program.

“It feels great that I was one of the first wrestlers they recruited,” he explained. “It’ll be cool to be part of something new.”

In addition to his abilities on the wrestling mat, Wallace was also a 4-year letterman in football and baseball for the Purple Riders. He was an OVAC All-Star and started at first and third base for the baseball team which won the school’s first Division III district championship since 1976.

“We are very pleased to have Dom commit to our campus and the wrestling team,” head coach Dave Schlarb said. “He is a stellar athlete and has the tools to become a national champion in wrestling. His athletic resume is littered with successes and it takes a lot of heart and strong will to accomplish the things he has done at multiple levels. There is no doubt in my mind that his success will continue and that he will become a great ambassador for our campus and his own community.”

By joining the USCAA, the Golden Eagles will have the opportunity to play for national championship, as well as vie for athletic All-American awards, National All-Academic awards and more. Many USCAA member schools are dual members of the NCAA and NAIA. This means the athletic schedules will contain D-II and D-III schools, which is definitely a step up in competition.

Schlarb was hired as Kent State-Tuscarawas’ wrestling coach in March. Schlarb, a West Virginia native, recently completed his high school wrestling coaching at New Philadelphia High School where he served as varsity coach for 10 years and assistant coach for 13 years prior.

Wallace is the son of Shawna Watts and Julius Wallace.