Bowling Green, KY – Patriots women's wrestler Jesse Kirby caps off a breakout season by being the recipient of the Mid-South Conference Female Character First Award, the conference office announced on Thursday.  Kirby becomes Cumberlands first female student-athlete to earn this distinction and is the third UC student-athlete to garner this accolade, which began in 2015.

"I can't think of a person who personifies the Character First Award better. Jesse is a true servant leader and, as team Captain, she more than embraces the leadership values that Cumberlands believe so strongly in," said Head Coach Donnie Stephens.  "She has organized many community service projects and Jesse epitomizes the phrase 'fair play'. As a Coach it gives me great joy and a little pride to know that Cumberlands is sending people like Jesse out into the world to make it a better place for everyone (except her opponents)."

Kirby is coming off of a stellar season for UC compiling a 33-6 record at the 191 lbs. weight class, giving her one of the winningest season for that weight class.  Kirby earned MSC first team all-conference honors after going 3-0 and capturing the conference title.  The junior placed fourth at the NAIA National Championships to earn All-American honors.  On the year, Kirby rewrote the record books becoming the first wrestler in the MSC to be named wrestler of the week in consecutive weeks and she rose to be ranked #1 in the 191 class in the season. The Culpeper, VA native went a perfect 7-0 at the Patriot Duals and won the Warrior Open to highlight her regular season success.  The junior opened the season with a runner-up finish at the Falcon Invite. 

Kirby stated about earning this award, "I feel so honored to receive this award. I am always grateful for an opportunity to represent my family, team, and school because I would not be where I am without them."

In addition to her success on the mat, Kirby has found success in the classroom, while being a pillar on Cumberlands campus and in the community.  Kirby was a 2022 CoSIDA At-Large First Team All-America, named the 2022 HESS Department Award recipient, and was named to the J.T. Vallandingham Scholastic Honor Society.  The junior was voted the winner of the Patriot Award during the 2022 PATS Award show.  The Business Administration and Exercise & Sport Science major is a three-time Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete and a three-time academic all-conference selection.

Jesse has been involved in a plethora of community service projects both on campus and in the community.  She is a member of Cumberlands Campus Activity Board, the Patriot Leadership Academy, and the Diversity Leadership Council.  Kirby is a USA Wrestling Bronze Certified Coach and has worked to help grow the sport of women's wrestling at the high school and grass roots level in Southeastern Kentucky.  The Culpeper, VA native has served as a captain of the women's wrestling team for the past two years and displayed countless times her servant leadership.

Fellow team captain, Jaine Stephens shared, "Jesse does an amazing job bringing the team together both on and off the mat. She has helped shift the culture of the entire team and we wouldn't be where we are without her."

The Patriots women's wrestling team finish eighth at the 2022 NAIA National Invitational.  Kirby will look to repeat her success next season, which will get underway in November.

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