Sierra Chiesa seeks a reset.
Somewhere that she can escape the spotlight that has followed her historic wrestling career. Where she can blend in among her peers.
She’ll get that at Gannon University. But perhaps not for long.
Chiesa needs no introduction among Erie County wrestling fans. The Northwestern senior blazed a trail of PIAA records, including the first D-10 championship and PIAA appearance by a female, the first girl to 100 career wins and more.
Two days after competing at the 51st annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, Chiesa shared her hopes to simply lay low at Gannon, for which she recently committed to wrestle. That might not be possible, though, given the program’s current trajectory under head coach Erin Vandiver.
Vandiver scored her first All-American this March. Tom Boyd’s Gannon men followed with two more.
Whatever they’re doing inside the wrestling room at 140 W. 12th St. is working. It’s created a stalwart NCAA Division II men’s program and a women’s team surging toward elite NCAA company.
What’s behind this consistent success? How did a school of 3,000 undergraduates grow into a collegiate wrestling powerhouse?
Whatever it is, Chiesa wanted in. They’re sure excited to have her.
“(Chiesa’s commitment) is huge on so many different levels,” Vandiver said. “For her, for us, for our room, for intensity. We’re excited for her, and I know she’s excited to be here.”
On the rise
Nyla Burgess placed fourth at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She is Gannon’s first female All-American wrestler.
Gannon finished 14th among 64 teams.
What’s significant about that? Unlike men’s college wrestling, just one national tournament exists for women.
That pits Gannon against name brand universities such as Iowa, Columbia and Colorado State. Despite an additional 15 teams competing compared to 2024, Gannon ...
