West Liberty High School Activities Director Adam Loria has announced the hiring of Rachel Hart as the new head coach of the West Liberty High School girls wrestling program.
Hart has been actively involved in the West Liberty wrestling community over the past four years, serving as a coach at both the high school and junior high levels. In addition to her coaching role, she is a teacher at West Liberty Middle School.
“Rachel has already made a tremendous impact on our wrestling program and our school community,” said Loria. “Her experience, passion for the sport, and commitment to developing young people make her an outstanding choice to lead our girls wrestling program. Our student-athletes will benefit greatly from her leadership and the example she sets both on and off the mat.”
Hart, who competed collegiately and internationally under her maiden name, Rachel Watters, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished female wrestlers in Iowa history. During her collegiate career, she earned All-American honors four times and was named the Iowa/USA Wrestling Female Athlete of the Year on four occasions.
Her wrestling resume also includes competing at the highest levels of the sport internationally. Hart was a member of the 2018 USA Senior National Team, earned a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Championships, and qualified for the 2021 United States Olympic Team Trials.
Prior to her coaching work in West Liberty, Hart served as an assistant coach at William Penn University, where she helped develop collegiate wrestlers at the national level.
As a competitor, Hart captured three USA Wrestling Fargo National Championships and two Folkstyle National Championships, establishing herself as one of the premier wrestlers of her generation.
In recognition of her achievements and contributions to the sport, Hart was inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023.
“Rachel’s accomplishments speak for themselves, but what stands out even more is her dedication to mentoring young athletes and growing the sport of wrestling,” Loria said. “We are excited about the future of West Liberty girls wrestling under her leadership.”
Hart was approved at Monday night’s school board meeting and will assume her new role immediately as the Comets continue to build on the growing momentum of high school girls wrestling in Iowa.
