Articles Tagged: Iowa women’s wrestling

The Iowa women’s wrestling team is competing Friday in the NCWWC Regionals as the Hawkeyes look to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for next month’s national championships. Follow The Gazette’s live blog for results and updates throughout the day.

Friday’s tournament in Indianola will determine how many Hawkeyes will have a shot at a national championship next month in Cedar Rapids. It also is critical for those vying for a spot at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

The NCAA’s latest step toward championship status is an encouraging sign, but a “viable financial path” is likely necessary before more Power Five programs follow the Hawkeyes’ lead and add women’s wrestling as an intercollegiate sport.

Lilly Luft’s pin put an exclamation point on a statement day for the Hawkeyes as they blew out Life University, the No. 1 team in the NAIA.

The Iowa women’s wrestling team beat Missouri Valley College and Life University in duals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

Iowa and Life University — the No. 1 women’s wrestling teams in the NCAA and NAIA, respectively — will face off on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Reese Larramendy is “one of the best counter wrestlers in America,” Iowa associate head coach Gary Mayabb said this week. Away from the mat, Larramendy brings leadership and a love of Russian culture to the Hawkeyes.

Iowa will be without two of its 136-pound wrestlers for the rest of its inaugural 2023-24 season.

The first weekend of wrestling tournaments in 2024 gave the Pinning Combination podcast plenty to discuss this week, from the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls to high school action returning around the state.

Clarissa Chun always knew Jaycee Foeller was “going to work her butt off.” Now, the Hawkeyes are reaping the rewards of the 191-pound wrestler’s work ethic and readiness.

In a season with many blowout wins, Iowa women’s wrestling showed its ability to win a nail-biter, too, as the Hawkeyes won the NWCA National Duals title.

The NWCA Multi-Divisional National Duals return to the UNI-Dome. The two-day event includes some of the top teams in NCAA Division II and III and NCAA women’s and NAIA men’s and women’s brackets. Here are a few notable items to watch this weekend in Cedar Falls.

At a time that was put up or shut up, Iowa’s Caleb Rathjen made some noise, going 5-0 and winning the 149-pound title at the second annual Soldier Salute Saturday at Xtream Arena.

Lilly Luft won a state title for Charles City at the inaugural Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union sanctioned wrestling championships held at Xtream Arena in February. Now, she’s part of Iowa in its first official season of women’s competition — the first by a Power 5 institution. Luft earned a spot in the 136-pound final of the second annual Soldier Salute.

Patrick Kennedy returned from injury and filled in at 174 pounds in Iowa men’s wrestling duals before the holiday break. He looked strong at 165, reaching the semifinals at the Soldier Salute Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.