By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- They were part of boys wrestling teams throughout high school and were determined to continue with the sport in college.

In order to make that happen at Bridgewater State University, however, freshmen Ann Cuddy (Boston, Mass.) and Morgan Pennimpede (Gloucester, Mass.) would have to join the Bears' men's wrestling team in the 2024-25 season.

So Cuddy and Pennimpede, who had never met before, were on hand for the first BSU team meeting in September.

That is when the two discovered they would be going through the unique college wrestling journey together.

The Bears had not had a female wrestler on the roster since 2003 when Andrea Giacomozzi earned United States Girls Wrestling Association (USGWA) All-America honors by finishing fourth at 107 pounds.

Now there are two female wrestlers on the squad, and they both made their college debuts in last Saturday's Scott Viera Open at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.

Cuddy (125-pound division) and Pennimpede (133 pounds) both went 0-2 in their first appearances at the college level, but they accomplished so much just by being in the BSU lineup that day.

"I definitely felt the difference competing at the college level vs. high school," said Cuddy, a graduate of Boston Latin. "I got pinned twice, but overall the experience was positive and I believe I'm really grateful for the opportunity to wrestle.

"Win or lose, I'm grateful for my coach's support, my team's support and the opportunity to wrestle because at the end of the day, win or lose, getting on that mat is what's important to me."

Said Pennimpede: "It felt good to be back on the mat. I missed it. I'm glad I got the chance to wrestle and I'm excited to see what happens in the future."

Women's college wrestling is on the increase in the region with schools like Western New England University, Maine Maritime Academy and New England College now fielding teams.

The hope is that down the road, a number of other schools, including Bridgewater State, can join in and give women their own programs.

"There's always talk," said Bears coach Frank Cammisa. "Myself and the athletic department would love to bring women's wrestling to Bridgewater. Three years ago, there was one team in our region and now there are three or four."

Cuddy and Pennimpede, who won the Division 3 girls state championship for Gloucester High last winter, would like to help in that expansion effort.

"I'm eager and excited to try to launch that program here," said Cuddy. "I would love to have a women's college team here."

Said Pennimpede: "That would be great. If we start now to look for people and take the right path, it's a possibility. There's so many girls that wrestle now. When I first started (as a youngster), I never saw any, maybe one. Now there's so many. It's definitely a growing sport."

For now, Cuddy and Pennimpede are practicing every day with the men, continuing in a sport they gained so much experience with while high schoolers.

Pennimpede began wrestling in fifth grade and was a four-year member at Gloucester High. Going against boys, she finished third in the state in her freshman and sophomore years and was the runner up the past two years.

"Wrestling has helped me mentally, physically," she said. "It's taught me many life lessons and made me the person I am today."

Cuddy has also gotten a lot out of being involved in wrestling since freshman year of high school.

"Wrestling was kind of like an outlet for me," she said. "It helped me so much with my confidence and discipline and work ethic that I carry on to every other aspect of my life. Once I started the wrestling mentality and applying it to other areas of my life, it was rewarding."

Cammisa said that Cuddy and Pennimpede have been welcome additions to the Bears this season.

"They're awesome to have on the team," he said. "They bring a different dynamic. It's nice having them on the team. They work hard. They show up. They are dependable. They love being on the team. They're all about it."

Cuddy and Pennimpede are dealing with huge size disadvantages going against men.

In her first match last weekend, Pennimpede faced Joziah Fry of Johnson & Wales University, who won the NCAA Division III championship in each of the past two seasons. His win over Pennimpede by fall in the opening minute was the 100th of his career.

"It was definitely an awakening tournament," said Pennimpede, whose twin sister Molly is also a BSU freshman. "I got to wrestle, but unfortunately, I went against a two-tme national champion."

Cuddy lost to Cameron Gibson of Johnson & Wales in a technical fall and was stopped at 1:36 by Hunter Sanchez of Springfield College.

"It's obviously more challenging than it was in high school," said Cuddy. "The weight difference, I can definitely feel it. They're older and stronger and more experienced and the technique is better."

Both Cuddy and Pennimpede praised their teammates and the Bears' coaching staff for helping them in the first college season.

"Everyone has been really supportive," said Cuddy. "I'm just really grateful for all the support of the team and the coaches. It's like a family. They all understand the end goal. They want to grow wrestling as a sport."

Said Pennimpede: "They have definitely took me under their wing. It's been great."

Wrestling against men is a difficult assignment for the duo, but they are getting so much out of the experience at BSU.

"I think a lot of wrestling is proving to myself that I am capable and I never thought that I would be able to wrestle on a men's team in college," said Cuddy.

"It wasn't exactly what I planned, but I truly believe I'm on this path for a reason and I'm really proud of myself for taking everything in as a learning experience and growing and still using this outlet that has been applied to everything in my life."

Pennimpede was thinking about trying out for the Bears' women's soccer team but landed with the men's wrestling squad.

"I'm really happy with the decision I made," she said of attending BSU. "If I was at a different school, I don't even know how my life would be. I probably wouldn't be wrestling. I wouldn't know the people I know now."

Curry and Pennimpede are hoping their experience will help open the door one day for a BSU women's wrestling team, and they are going through the season together.

"I didn't know (Pennimpede) until our first (team) meeting," said Curry. "It was such a great gift. It's made this process and experience a lot easier. I am so grateful for her. I think she's my best friend. I'm thankful we both have the opportunity to wrestle and that we met."

Said Pennimpede: "It's definitely comforting being with her. I met her at the meeting and I didn't know there was another girl interested in doing this. It was kind of cool."