Iowa women’s wrestling welcomes Oklahoma State in tri-dual in new rivalry chapter

IOWA CITY — There’s lengthy history between Iowa and Oklahoma State wrestling. The two programs have battled on the mat for years, going back and forth with one another.

That’s was the men’s team. This year, the No. 1 Hawkeye women’s wrestlers hosted Oklahoma State as part of Iowa’s second home tri-dual meet of the season. Iowa gained the first year advantage, winning the dual 39-4 and also taking down No. 5 Colorado Mesa, 36-8.

“To continue that on the women's side, I think it's pretty incredible,” junior Lilly Luft said. “To get to bring them in and start that rivalry, it's a great opportunity, and it's only going to grow the sport more.”

Oklahoma State women’s wrestling is still a club program, but is home to Daniella Nugent, who placed fifth at the U20 World Championships earlier this summer. She wrestled No. 1 Kennedy Blades, becoming the first victim of Blades’ infamous suplex in front of Carver fans.

It was also her first suplex in about a year, she said. Blades won both her events Sunday afternoon, wrestling against Colorado Mesa at 180 pounds and against Nugent at 160 pounds.

“I've always just wrestled bumping up, especially leading into the Olympic year back in 2024 and so when the coaches need me to go up, I'm always here,” Blades said. “I train with the best girls in the room, and no matter what the feel is, if it's lighter or heavier girls like, I'm not going to change my style at all.”

Oklahoma State ended up winning its dual against Colorado Mesa, which entered Sunday’s tri 3-0. The Cowgirls won in the final matchup of that round, ultimately winning with a 24-22 team score.

Iowa head coach Clarissa Chun said at the beginning of the season including Oklahoma State was to help continue bringing programs into a major spotlight and allowing them to compete at higher levels. Although the Cowgirls aren’t NCAA-sanctioned yet, she was thrilled to bring the club team to Iowa City and help emphasize the growth of women’s wrestling.

“It doesn’t stop here, and it shouldn’t stop here,” Chun said. “For me, was a no brainer that they have a club. ‘Hey, do you have all 10 weights? Let's do it in Carver.’ We want this, and we don't want to hide anything. It's how to create opportunities for young women.”

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