Iowa State to Add Women's Wrestling as Varsity Sport in 2027

The Cyclones will become the ninth Division I school to offer women's wrestling, after eliminating women's gymnastics.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a women's wrestling match, with the vibrant colors of the Iowa State University uniforms breaking down into overlapping planes of color and form.Iowa State's new women's wrestling program will build on the university's rich wrestling tradition and provide more opportunities for female athletes to compete at the highest level.Coralville Today

Iowa State University announced on Thursday that it will be adding a varsity women's wrestling program as its 18th sport, set to debut in the 2027-28 season. The news comes less than two months after the school made the decision to eliminate its women's gymnastics program due to "unreconcilable differences" within the team. Alli St. John, a former two-time silver medalist at the World Wrestling Championships, will be the team's head coach.

Why it matters

The addition of women's wrestling at Iowa State is part of a growing trend in college sports, as the NCAA held its first women's wrestling championship this past season. This move allows Iowa State to maintain a strong wrestling tradition while providing new opportunities for female athletes, though it comes at the expense of the women's gymnastics program which faced facility and program issues.

The details

Iowa State's athletic director Jamie Pollard said the university believes the addition of women's wrestling will "afford tremendous opportunities for young women not only in Iowa, but around the country, to compete at the highest level in the sport." The Cyclones will be repurposing the Beyer Hall facility, previously used for gymnastics practices, for the new women's wrestling program.

  • On February 8, 2026, Iowa State canceled the remainder of the women's gymnastics season due to not having enough athletes to compete.
  • In March 2026, Iowa State announced it was eliminating the women's gymnastics program, citing "unreconcilable differences" within the team.
  • In April 2026, Iowa State announced it will be adding women's wrestling as a varsity sport starting in the 2027-28 season.

The players

Jamie Pollard

The athletic director at Iowa State University who announced the addition of women's wrestling and the elimination of women's gymnastics.

Alli St. John

A former two-time silver medalist at the World Wrestling Championships who will be the head coach of the new Iowa State women's wrestling team.

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What they’re saying

“Iowa State enjoys a rich wrestling tradition, and we believe the addition of women's wrestling will afford tremendous opportunities for young women not only in Iowa, but around the country, to compete at the highest level in the sport.”

— Jamie Pollard, Iowa State Athletic Director

“This is a great day for wrestling in the state of Iowa and at Iowa State University, and we look forward to growing a program under Alli St. John that will build off the historic success of our men's team.”

— Jamie Pollard, Iowa State Athletic Director

What’s next

The new Iowa State women's wrestling team will begin competition in the 2027-28 season under the leadership of head coach Alli St. John.

The takeaway

Iowa State's decision to add women's wrestling as a varsity sport reflects the growing popularity and recognition of the sport at the collegiate level, even as it comes at the expense of the women's gymnastics program. This move allows the university to maintain its strong wrestling tradition while providing new opportunities for female athletes to compete at the highest level.