Kaitlynne Walter the Latest Wrestler to Sign with SMC

Kaitlynne Walter, a 2022 graduate of Buchanan High School, has signed her NJCAA Letter of Intent to wrestle for Coach Todd Hesson and the Roadrunners during the 2025-2026 season.

Hesson said of Walter, "Kaitlynne is a hard-working wrestler who is excited to be back on the mat and competing for SMC."

As a Buck, Walter had a 14-16 record, placing third in regionals and fourth in the state MHSAA meet. She earned all-state honors and won the Coaches' Award for Outstanding Wrestler. Walter joins Ja'Niya Howard of South Bend Riley, Orion Ennis of Gobles, Madisyn Harrison of Marcellus, Aurelia Trowbridge of Buchanan, Grayce Swanson of Plainwell and current SMC student Alyse Koss in the growing 2024-25 recruiting class.

In April 2024, SMC's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the addition of Women's Wrestling, Men's Track & Field and Women's Track & Field as official NJCAA sports, to start competition in Fall 2025. Only 29 other NJCAA schools nationally currently offer women's wrestling. SMC will be the first two-year college in Michigan to offer the sport.

On April 9, the college announced the construction of a new 11,195 square-foot wing of the Zollar Building that will quadruple the space available to the men's and women's wrestling teams. It will double the mat capacity for practice sessions and provide additional competition space for hosting conference and regional meets. The new facility will also include a dedicated fitness and warm-up area, coaches' offices, locker rooms and additional restrooms. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May, on-site work is well underway with occupancy targeted for February 2026.