North Central College made history last season by becoming the first Division III program to win a national collegiate women’s wrestling championship. The Cardinals had an impressive showing at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCAA programs) with 15 All-Americans and three national champions. 

Head coach Joe Norton made an off-season move that shows he’s serious about making another run. National champion Alara Boyd was recently hired as a graduate assistant beginning this season following four seasons at McKendree. She will get her master’s degree in sports leadership while she is there. 

“We are extremely excited to have Alara joining our staff,” Norton said. “It was never fun coaching against her, so we’re glad to have her on our side now. She is a fierce competitor who loves the sport and brings a wealth of knowledge to our wrestling room. 

“She knows how to win, and she’s going to help us to continue winning. I can’t wait to see the impact she has on our middleweights.”

Boyd was a three-time national finalist (2020-22) and a 2021 national champion for McKendree whose 2023 season was cut short due to injuries. The Muncie, Indiana, native has made four age-level World teams, winning two medals, while placing fourth at the 2020 Olympic Trials. 

She will continue competing at the senior level, joining Amanda Martinez and Yelena Makoyed in the Cardinal Wrestling Club.

“We hope to make a strong run at the 2024 Olympic Team,” Norton said. “We are excited to get to work with her in that capacity as well as continue to develop her as a wrestler.”

Boyd still has a year of college eligibility but opted not to use her COVID year for the upcoming season. She was instrumental in helping McKendree win national team titles from 2020-22, which were the first three at the NCAA level. 

“I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity to join North Central’s coaching staff,” Boyd said. “After visiting, the decision was fairly clear that it was the ideal place for me to learn, grow, and contribute. I look forward to being a part of the continued success of the program.”