McLean County Times

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University Athletic Director Mike Wagner announced Abby Kushina as the new head coach of the women's lacrosse program on Monday, July 15. Kushina will be the third head coach in the program's history.

"I am excited to elevate Abby to head coach of our women's lacrosse program," Wagner stated. "Throughout the process, it became clear that she was the right choice to lead this program moving forward. Abby was an incredible student-athlete for us in the team's early stages and has shown a genuine passion for the program and its student-athletes as an assistant coach. Abby's focus on creating a great student-athlete experience and her competitive drive will continue to put the Titans in a position to win conference championships and compete nationally."

Kushina, a 2018 IWU graduate and member of the program's first team in 2015, served as an assistant coach for the Titans during the 2024 season. Under her assistance, IWU recorded its first winning season since 2021 with an overall record of 9-8 and a 4-2 mark in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) action, securing a share of second place. The Titans had three players on All-CCIW teams: Britney Maldonado and Sarah Riepe earned first-team honors while Devon Hanson notched second-team honors for the second consecutive season. Riepe also represented women's lacrosse on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, with ten Titans earning Academic All-CCIW honors.

"I could not be more excited to lead the program that has given me so much," Kushina expressed. "As a freshman on the first team in program history, I never could have imagined I would end up here. I am grateful to Mike Wagner and the search committee for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I cannot wait to see how this program continues to grow and succeed."

Kushina returned to her alma mater before the 2024 season after completing a two-year graduate assistant stint at McKendree University. At McKendree, she developed individual skills, planned daily practices specifically focusing on offense, and managed all aspects of team operations.

Before McKendree, Kushina was junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach at Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Mo., for three seasons. She also coached for four years with St. Louis-based 410 West Lacrosse league's 14U team.

During her tenure at Illinois Wesleyan as a player, Kushina was a four-time letter winner at attack and midfield positions and part of its inaugural team. She was named offensive most valuable player during their inaugural season in 2015. Kushina helped secure several titles including CCIW Regular Season Championship (2018), two CCIW Tournament Championships (2017 & 2018), leading up to their first NCAA Tournament appearance (2017). In her final year with IWU’s Green and White squad, they reached NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen (2018). Her career statistics include ranking seventh in points (166), sixth in goals (110), and eighth in assists (56) within IWU’s records.

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