Williamsburg, KY – Head Coach Donnie Stephens has added a new coach to his staff for the remainder of the UC women's wrestling season. Jay Perez, a former wrestling standout, has joined both Head Coach Stephens and Assistant Coach Sarah Allen to help guide the #7 Cumberlands Patriots.

Perez wrestled at Lyon College during the 2014-15 season where she earned the program's first ever All-American honor. She finished in seventh place in the 109-weight class at the national tournament. She then got her first experience coaching at a Junior College Military Academy in Lexington, MO while also wrestling at Missouri Valley College. Due to an injury, the Covina, CA native had to stop competing but she did complete her degree in English Literature from Missouri Valley help coach the Vikings.

Even before Perez was competing against the Patriots in college, Coach Stephens has been familiar with Perez as a wrestler. While Coach Stephens was coaching at West Covina High School in California, Perez was competing for neighboring Northview HS, where he knew then what Perez was able to do on the mats and now as a coach herself.

"I have known Jay from my high school coaching days," said Coach Stephens. "We have been on this journey together for over 10 years. Jay was a great athlete and displayed strong leadership qualities even at such a young age. Fast forward a few years and I can say that Jay is a perfect fit for our team and that the leadership qualities have only grown. We are lucky to have Jay helping lead these young athletes and our team is better for it. She is the perfect compliment to Coach Allen and myself, and truly loves each one of our wrestlers."
 
Since arriving at UC, Perez has jumped right into coaching the wrestlers. She has been alongside both Stephens and Allen at the Patriot Duals as well as the NWCA Duals/NUWAY Open this past weekend.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the Cumberlands family," said Coach Perez. "I've known Coach Donnie for a long time and got to watch Coach Sarah compete so getting to coach alongside both of them is truly humbling and exciting. I enjoy working with the team, the girls work hard and are very receptive. I look forward to helping them achieve their collegiate goals and watch them graduate."

Cumberlands wrestling has a history with wrestlers from Northview HS. Former wrestler and graduate assistant, Ismileyna Valles, competed at Northview HS as well as current wrestler Alexis Medina. While, coaching the Patriots, Perez will be getting her Master's degree in teaching from UC.

The Patriots and Coach Perez will be back on the mats on January 21 when they open up Mid-South Conference action against the Indiana Tech Warriors. The dual will be in Fort Wayne, IN starting at 5PM.

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