Iowa Wrestlers Shine at U23 National Championships

Hawkeye freshmen Bella Williams and Everest Leydecker claim medals at prestigious event

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:30am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements of a women's wrestling match, with sharp planes of navy, green, and red overlapping to create a sense of motion and energy.The Hawkeyes' rising stars shine on the national stage, their dynamic movements captured in a cubist deconstruction.Spokane Today

Iowa freshmen Bella Williams and Everest Leydecker had standout performances at the 2026 U23 Women's National Championships in Spokane, Washington. Williams placed second at 65 kg, competing up a weight class from her recent U20 title win. Leydecker captured the U23 championship at 57 kg, adding to her U20 title from earlier in the weekend. Six of Iowa's seven entries advanced to the quarterfinals, showcasing the depth of the Hawkeye women's wrestling program.

Why it matters

The strong showings by current and future Hawkeyes at the U23 championships highlight the continued growth and success of the Iowa women's wrestling program. As one of the top collegiate programs in the country, Iowa's ability to develop elite talent at the youth and junior levels bodes well for their future NCAA title aspirations.

The details

Williams, a freshman, finished as the runner-up at 65 kg, just two days after winning the U20 title at 62 kg. Leydecker, an incoming Iowa freshman, dominated her way to the U23 championship at 57 kg, outscoring her opponents 117-8 with 11 bonus-point victories across the weekend. Six of Iowa's seven entries at the U23 championships reached the quarterfinal round, showcasing the depth of the Hawkeye women's wrestling program.

  • The 2026 U23 Women's National Championships took place in Spokane, Washington.
  • Bella Williams won the U20 title at 62 kg just two days before competing at 65 kg in the U23 event.
  • Everest Leydecker captured the U23 championship at 57 kg, adding to her U20 title from earlier in the weekend.

The players

Bella Williams

A freshman on the Iowa women's wrestling team, Williams placed second at 65 kg in the U23 championships after winning the U20 title at 62 kg just two days earlier.

Everest Leydecker

An incoming freshman for the Iowa women's wrestling team, Leydecker won the U23 championship at 57 kg, dominating her opponents and outscoring them 117-8 with 11 bonus-point victories across the weekend.

Iowa Hawkeyes

The women's wrestling program at the University of Iowa, which had six of its seven entries reach the quarterfinal round at the U23 championships, showcasing the depth and talent of the Hawkeye program.

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What’s next

The Hawkeye wrestlers will look to build on their U23 success when the NCAA women's wrestling season begins in the fall.

The takeaway

Iowa's women's wrestling program continues to develop elite talent, with current and future Hawkeyes excelling at the prestigious U23 national championships. This bodes well for the program's continued dominance at the collegiate level.