By sundown, Cowles Fieldhouse in Indianola, Iowa, might as well have been painted black and gold. The Iowa women’s wrestling team sent 15 wrestlers to the NCWWC Regionals on Thursday, and all 15 earned berths to the national championships in March. Six Hawkeyes claimed individual regional championships. The Hawkeyes competed in Region Five, which was.
Felicity Taylor continued with her long-time plan to move back to 116 pounds for the postseason, Ava Rose is filling the void for the Hawkeyes at 123 pounds.
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.
Following a stellar performance at the Iowa Duals on Jan. 21, the Iowa women’s wrestling squad headed east to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a busy weekend. On Jan. 26, the Hawkeyes competed in the three-team Indiana Tech Warrior Duals. Iowa easily defeated Campbellsville, 42-2, and dispatched Indiana Tech, 42-0. The next day, the Hawkeyes got.