Connor Keating '09 enters his first season as the head coach of the women's wrestling program and sixth season overall at Norwich, also serving as an assistant coach for the women's rugby and wrestling teams in 2024-25.
“First and foremost, I want to express gratitude to LtGen Broadmeadow, Ed Hockenbury, Alex Whitney, and countless members of the wrestling community for their support in establishing a varsity women’s wrestling program at Norwich,” said Keating. “Wrestling has shaped so much of who I am, and my years of competing at Norwich were the most transformative of my life.”
“To now be in a position where I can help bring this incredible sport to a population that has long been underrepresented is an honor and privilege. This program isn’t just about wrestling, it’s about creating opportunities for women who embody the same resilience, discipline, and grit that define both successful wrestlers and Norwich students,” said Keating. “I firmly believe that the type of young women who excel on the mat are the same ones who thrive in the challenging and unique environment that Norwich offers.”
Keating helped bring success to the women's rugby team last season, aiding the 15's squad to a hard-fought victory over the University of New Haven in October. In the 7's season in the spring, the Cadets proved victorious over the University of New England to claim the Chris Munn 7's Championship before closing the season with another win over UNE to win the Polar Bear 7's Tournament.
Keating assisted with multiple wrestlers placing in the NCAA Northeast Regional competition in 2023-24, while Mason Sprinkel '24 earned All-Conference Honorable Mention. Sprinkel tied the program record for pins in a single season (26), which also led the country. Thoren Berg '25 also earned All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Keating wrestled for Norwich before graduating in 2009. He was the team's captain and Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He left Norwich as a two-time All-New England Honors winner, a Scholar All-American, and was a finalist in the 2009 All-Academy Championships.
After graduating, Keating continued wrestling worldwide, traveling and competing in nations such as Bulgaria and Thailand. He won the George Kalchev International Invitation in Varna, Bulgaria in 2013 and was a Senior All-American at the U.S. Open in 2014 and a Masters Finalist at the same event in 2017. In the past year, Keating has led multiple Wrestling and Cultural Exchange trips, most recently to Moscow, Russia.
For Norwich wrestling, Keating is responsible for planning and implementing all training sessions, academic monitoring for the entire team, and creating team newsletters.
Keating also played rugby for a year at Norwich and now plays for the Mad River Men's Club Team.
