“Enjoy the process. Enjoy it and do it with love.”
Sophomore women’s wrestler Audrey Jimenez said this advice from her high school coach in Arizona was tested throughout her 2025-26 varsity season, as she competed through a fractured shoulder socket and torn labrum. She delayed surgery, pushed through the pain and finished 21-0 for Lehigh.
After suffering the injury at the U23 Women’s Wrestling World Championships in October, Jimenez faced a difficult choice: step away from competition to recover and prepare for international events, or continue wrestling through it.
Ultimately, she chose to stay in Bethlehem, competing throughout the inaugural varsity season and postponing her surgery.
On March 24, Jimenez was named NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. The honor followed her recent selection as NCAA Region 2 Wrestler of the Year. She was also chosen as the national winner among six regional honorees and earned NCAA All-American status alongside first-year teammates Abbi Cooper and Aubre Krazer.
“It was a big decision,” Jimenez said. “I have these goals — to be a world champion and to compete for Team USA — but at the same time, I really value this culture and this program we’ve been creating at Lehigh.”
Since arriving in 2024, Jimenez has built momentum as a key contributor for the Mountain Hawks while continuing to pursue international goals. Balancing both levels, she’s established herself as one of the program’s most driven athletes.
“(Jimenez) leads by example,” Krazer said. “I think she’s one of those people that’s going to do the right thing no matter the situation.”
Krazer said Jimenez is someone others look up to for her ability to fully commit to everything she takes on, giving her best effort regardless of the circumstances.
Sophomore Avery Hines said Jimenez has always been a role model.
“I think it’s common for people to think that people that are really good keep to themselves, but (Jimenez is) really approachable, friendly and she’s always willing to work with me,” Hines said. “She points out people’s accomplishments and what they’re getting better at, and that is really good to hear from her.”
Though teammates see her as a role model, Jimenez credited her support system — herself, her team and coaches — for helping her push through the season. Despite the injury, she continued to show up each day, adjusting her training.
“Since coming here in August to start this year off, our athletic trainer has been really, really helpful, and I’ve been doing a lot of rehab with her,” Jimenez said. “I’ve restructured my training, and I would say I’ve been much more aware and intentional about adjusting my training plan as needed.”
Even with those adjustments, Jimenez said the challenge extended beyond the physical. Each day required balancing pushing forward with knowing when to pull back, forcing her to become more aware of her body and more intentional in her approach.
Despite those challenges, her performance never faltered.
Over spring break, Jimenez won the NCAA women’s wrestling title at 110 lbs while also earning the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award and the NCAA’s Most Dominant Wrestler honors. On the international stage, she added to her success, earning her sixth and seventh career world medals at the 2025 World Championships in Serbia, where she claimed silver representing the U.S. at both the U20 and U23 levels.
She reflected on how deeply wrestling has shaped her life, noting she’s often put pressure on herself to be perfect.
“I would tell my younger self to communicate earlier on and really focus on bettering my lifestyle, not just being focused on wrestling and being such a perfectionist,” Jimenez said. “I’ve always tried to be perfect at everything. I think I wish I could encourage my younger self to always be grateful for the people I’ve had around me.”
For Jimenez, enjoying the process has come to mean more than success on the mat. She said it’s about personal growth, perspective and understanding who she is beyond the sport. Her faith, she added, has become central to that journey.
Although wrestling is a major part of her identity, Jimenez said she’s made a conscious effort to define herself beyond the sport.
“I learned a little late that your identity isn’t wrapped around wrestling,” Jimenez said. “I think I’m still always trying to separate myself and my identity from wrestling and trying to connect it to God and my faith.”
That presence hasn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates.
Krazer said Jimenez is composed and resilient, and her strong faith allows her to trust the process. She also said she looks up to Jimenez.
Hines said the way Jimenez carries and reflects on her experiences, while finding strength in her religion, is something she also strives to do.
No matter where the next step leads, Jimenez said her mindset remains the same: embrace every moment, compete with purpose and enjoy the process.
“Just do everything with love,” Jimenez said. “Always be grateful, and always be willing to learn and help others.”
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