Women's College Wrestling Makes Historic NCAA Debut

First NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships to be held in 'Wrestletown USA'

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Iowa City area will host the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships this weekend, marking a major milestone for the sport. The event features top programs from across all NCAA divisions, including powerhouses like the University of Iowa and McKendree University. With over 100 NCAA women's wrestling programs nationwide, the championships showcase the rapid growth and competitiveness of the sport at the collegiate level.

Why it matters

The NCAA's decision to elevate women's wrestling to championship status is a significant step forward for the sport, providing greater visibility, resources, and opportunities for female athletes. This event is expected to inspire more young women to take up wrestling and further cement Iowa City's reputation as the epicenter of the sport in the United States.

The details

The championships will take place at Xtream Arena in Coralville, just a few miles from the University of Iowa campus. The tournament features the maximum 10 wrestlers from each of the top programs, including No. 1 McKendree University, No. 2 Iowa, and No. 3 North Central College. Several Olympic and world team medalists will be competing, showcasing the elite talent in women's collegiate wrestling.

  • The NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships will be held on March 7-8, 2026.
  • Women's wrestling was designated an 'emerging sport' by the NCAA in 2020, paving the way for this inaugural championship event.

The players

Alexio Garcia

Head coach of the McKendree University women's wrestling team, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Clarissa Chun

Head coach of the University of Iowa women's wrestling team, the only Division I program in a Power Five conference.

Heather Crull

Top-seeded wrestler in the 103-pound weight class for McKendree University.

Kennedy Blades

Top-seeded wrestler in the 160-pound weight class for the University of Iowa, and a 2024 Olympic silver medalist.

North Central College

Division III school in Naperville, Illinois that won the National Duals tournament, defeating both McKendree and Iowa.

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What they’re saying

“What is it they say? 'Wrestletown USA?' I think it's a great place for wrestling to be hosted. You go to some places, maybe a hundred people know wrestling. There, everyone lives it.”

— Alexio Garcia, Head Coach, McKendree University

“It really is 'Wrestletown USA'. We've had World Cup events here. We're going to have other big events here. So this is a big deal for our sport.”

— Clarissa Chun, Head Coach, University of Iowa

“The fact that we're in this position now is nothing short of pretty amazing. I think we're all lucky and blessed to be witnessing it, to be honest.”

— Alexio Garcia, Head Coach, McKendree University

What’s next

The NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships will continue to grow in the coming years, with more schools expected to add varsity programs and the level of competition continuing to rise.

The takeaway

The inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships represent a watershed moment for the sport, providing elite female athletes with a national platform to showcase their talents and inspiring the next generation of wrestlers. This event solidifies Iowa City's status as the epicenter of wrestling in the United States.