Fairmont State University has announced the hiring of Sami Lusk as the first head coach in the history of its newly established women's wrestling program.

The hire marks a significant step for both the university and the continued growth of women's wrestling. Director of Athletics Greg Bamberger expressed confidence in Lusk's leadership, citing her passion for the sport, commitment to student-athlete development, and experience as both a competitor and coach as key factors in her selection.

Lusk arrives at Fairmont State after serving as an assistant women's wrestling coach and sports nutritionist at Wartburg College. During the 2025–26 season, she helped guide the program to a National Dual Championship, a conference title, a regional runner-up finish, and an 11th-place showing at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships. Wartburg also led the nation with 21 Academic All-Americans, posted the third-highest team GPA, and produced three All-Americans.

She steps into the role with the opportunity to build the program from the ground up, with an emphasis on establishing a strong foundation rooted in hard work, discipline, and a championship mindset.

In addition to her coaching role at Wartburg, Lusk worked as a sports nutritionist for the men's and women's wrestling programs and the football team through a partnership with Ekin Nutrition, supporting athlete performance and recovery. She also remained active on the Team Iowa National Staff during the 2025–26 season.

Previously, Lusk coached at Caldwell High School in Idaho during the 2024–25 season, leading the girls program to its most successful year, highlighted by multiple state qualifiers and placers. She was named the 2025 Girls Coach of the Year and later coached two athletes to National All-American honors. That same year, she also served on the Team Idaho National Team staff.

Her coaching background also includes time with Team Iowa USA (2023–26) and DC Elite Girls Wrestling (2021–24), where she led practices, camps, and clinics while specializing in freestyle and folkstyle development.

Lusk's own path in wrestling began late, as she took up the sport during her senior year of high school. She quickly made an impact, becoming a state placer with just four losses while making history as her school's first female wrestler. She went on to compete at Grand View University, joining the program in its second season.

At Grand View, she overcame injuries to post a breakout 25–5 season in 2023, earning All-America honors and setting the program's single-season record with 23 pins. She also gained valuable coaching experience through camps and clinics during her collegiate career.

Lusk graduated from Grand View in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, along with a minor in psychology and a certification in nutrition.

She now takes on the challenge of launching Fairmont State's women's wrestling program, with a focus on competing at a high level, developing student-athletes on and off the mat, and building a program that can serve as a lasting point of pride for the university and its community.