What to know as Iowa women’s wrestling seeks back-to-back national championships in 2025

CORALVILLE — It is hard to ask for much more from Iowa women’s wrestling in 2024-25.

The top-ranked Hawkeyes went 19-0 in dual competition, and that included wins over the teams currently ranked No. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 in the country.

“There were a lot of great moments throughout the season,” Iowa Coach Clarissa Chun said, referencing Iowa’s undefeated dual record. “But more importantly, just seeing them continue to rise and just get better each day.”

This week will be a test of how much the Hawkeyes have indeed risen and gotten better as they compete at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) on Friday and Saturday.

Here are some notes as the Hawkeyes attempt to win their second national championship in as many seasons of team competition:

Who will be competing for the Hawkeyes?

All 15 Hawkeyes who competed at last month’s regionals qualified for the national championships:

Iowa’s lineup includes four reigning national champions — Emilie Gonzalez, Bayless, Larramendy and Welker. Dias, Brianna Gonzalez and Foeller were national runners-up last year.

How did the Hawkeyes do at NCWWC Regionals?

Chun’s program was absolutely dominant in its regional at Simpson College. Ten Hawkeyes finished in first place and the other five finished in second place.

Iowa did not lose any matches except for the five championship matches where two Hawkeyes were wrestling against each other. All of Iowa’s wins in the first round and quarterfinals were either via falls or tech falls. The Hawkeyes did not even give up a point until midway through the semifinals.

Can anybody defeat Iowa?

Iowa is the overwhelming favorite again at this year’s national championships after claiming last year’s team title and six of the 10 individual titles.

This year, the Hawkeyes have the top-ranked wrestler at 103, 117, 145, 160, 180 and 207 pounds and at least one wrestler ranked sixth or higher in the other four weight classes.

North Central, the 2023 champion and 2024 runner-up, likely is Iowa’s biggest threat. Iowa needed a passivity point to defeat the Cardinals at 2023 NWCA National Duals and did not clinch the NCWWC team title until the last match of the finals.

But this year’s title race might not be as competitive. When Iowa wrestled North Central at this year’s National Duals, the Hawkeyes had a relatively easy 28-13 win.

When and where is NCWWC happening?

This year’s national championships are Friday and Saturday at Coralville’s Xtream Arena.

Session 1: Friday starting at 10 a.m.

Session 2: Friday starting at 5 p.m.

Session 3: Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Session 4: Saturday starting at 6 p.m.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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