Sluberski named wrestling coach at Eastern Oregon

LA GRANDE, Ore. – A Fredonia native has been named the wrestling coach of the Eastern Oregon University women’s wrestling team.

Carlene Sluberski becomes the third head coach in the program’s history. Prior to joining the Mountaineers, she worked at the University of Providence in Montana for two seasons where she was the head bench boss for the Argos.

“I am very happy to announce Carlene Sluberski as our new Women’s Wrestling Coach,” said Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh said. “She is very competitive and knowledgeable and we are lucky to have her join our staff at EOU.”

In 2019-20, Sluberski, a standout wrestler during her years at Fredonia Central School, led her grapplers to a top-10 team ranking (ninth) and a third-place finish at the inaugural CCC Championships. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NAIA National Invite canceled and her squad like many other were unable to compete. Along with a top-10 ranking in the final regular season poll, Sluberski’s squad had 11 wrestlers ranked individually that were set to compete at the NAIA Invite.

In her first season working with the Argos, Sluberski guided Providence to a trio of All-American honors in 2018-19. The Argos had two Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association All-Americans and one NAIA All-American that season.

“I am very excited to have been selected as the head women’s wrestling coach at Eastern Oregon University. The women’s wrestling program has had a history of producing high achieving student-athletes, academically and athletically,” Sluberski said. “I believe this speaks to the athletic department and the high standards set for staff and student-athletes. If we continue to build the culture and bring in the right fit individuals, there is no limit on how much I think this program could achieve. I am so thankful that I have this opportunity to become a better coach and leader.”

Before Providence, Sluberski was a graduate assistant coach for the University of the Cumberlands women’s wrestling program from May 2017-December 2018. During her time at UC, Sluberski coached five All-Americans in the WCWA, in addition to two All-Americans in the U23 World Team Trials.

Sluberski has also worked with USA Wrestling in multiple capacities. In November 2019 she worked with USA Wrestling for the Berlin Open. She traveled with cadet and juniors to Berlin, Germany for international competition and training camp. In February 2019, she worked with USAW for Klippan Lady Open in Klippan, Sweden. Sluberski also served as Team Montana’s women’s coach in 2019 for High School Marine Corps Freestyle Nationals in Fargo, N.D. Team Montana had two female All-American in 2019.

In the summer of 2018 Sluberski served as a volunteer coach in Fargo for Team New York, in addition to coaching at the Junior Pan-Ams in Fortaleza, Brazil in which the Team USA women placed first overall.

On the mat, Sluberski was a four-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Champion, renamed and now known as U Sports. She was also a two-time U.S. Senior National Team Member and served as a training partner for the 2013 and 2014 World Championships, as well as the 2016 Olympic Games. She was also a member of the Junior World Team in 2011.

Sluberski attended the Northern Michigan University Olympic Education Center from 2009-12 before transferring to Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in May 2016. She received her Master of Arts degree in Teaching from UC in December 2018.

Sluberski currently resides in La Grande.