Coe moves “all-in” with addition of women’s wrestling program for 2026-27 season

CEDAR RAPIDS — Women’s wrestling has demonstrated consistent growth.

Seventy-six NCAA schools fielded programs for the 2023-24 season. The NCAA had expected 17 more programs to compete last season. The expansion continues.

Coe announced Wednesday it will add women’s wrestling as its 23rd NCAA sport that will begin competition for the 2026-27 season. Former Kohawk All-American Kaleb Reeves has been named the program’s first head coach.

Coe becomes the seventh American Rivers Conference member with women’s wrestling, joining Buena Vista, Central, Dubuque, Loras, Simpson and Wartburg.

"With women's wrestling, there's a lot of momentum state and nationwide and just seeing how much fire it's caught in Eastern Iowa — there's just a lot of excitement about the sport,“ Coe athletics director Steve Cook said in a news release. ”The time is now to welcome it with open arms.“

The sport has transitioned from NCAA Emerging Sport status to becoming the 91st NCAA sponsored national championship sport. The inaugural NCAA Championship - which will include Division I, II and II teams - will be held at Xtream Arena in Coralville in March.

“Women’s wrestling has arrived and now it’s at Coe College,” Cook said. “We’re all in.”

Coe has experienced success in men’s wrestling, crowning four individual NCAA champions with 99 Kohawks earning all-American status and contending for top-10 team finishes regularly. The women’s team will share training facilities.

Reeves will take on the new role after assisting with the men’s program last season.

“Coach Reeves will utilize his experiences on and off the mat to help establish the Kohawk women’s wrestling program as a national contender,” Cook said. “A Coe wrestling champion in his own right, Kaleb was the obvious choice for us as we look forward to an exciting new chapter in Kohawk athletics. His legacy and leadership will undoubtedly inspire our athletes as we strive for excellence together.”

Reeves was a three-time All-American heavyweight, graduating in 2023. He posted a 103-22 career record and owns the program record in career pins.

Recruiting already has begun for the former Sigourney-Keota state medalist. His specialty was in Greco-Roman, claiming multiple All-American honors, but he is schooled in all styles, including freestyle, which is the discipline for women’s wrestling.

“My goal is to create a women’s program that’s top notch,” Reeves said in the news release. “The foundation for a winning culture is already started because Coe offers student-athletes the opportunity to wrestle at the highest level and also have an education at the highest level.”

Girls’ wrestling is sanctioned in 46 states, including Iowa. Participation numbers have increased. More than 1,600 wrestlers competed for more than 260 programs, resulting in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union creating two classes for the 2024-25 season and adding a state dual tournament for the 2026-27.

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