Iowa Wrestlers Shine at Women's Nationals, Earn 5 Titles

Hawkeyes crown five national champions across U20 and U23 divisions, qualify four for U20 World Team

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:55pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a women's wrestling match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors representing the intense competition.Iowa's dominant display at the Women's National Championships showcases the program's depth and technical mastery across weight classes.Spokane Today

The Iowa women's wrestling team had a dominant showing at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women's National Championships, crowning five national champions and qualifying four athletes for the U20 World Championships. Incoming freshman Everest Leydecker won titles in both the U20 and U23 divisions, while Taylor Whiting, Karlee Brooks, and Bella Williams also claimed U20 crowns. Iowa wrestlers combined for an 85-30 record and 63 wins by technical superiority or fall across the two age groups.

Why it matters

Iowa's performance at the Women's Nationals reinforces the program's status as a national powerhouse, with the Hawkeyes producing multiple world team members and continuing to attract top high school talent. The team's depth and success across weight classes underscores the strength of the Iowa women's wrestling program and its ability to develop elite-level athletes.

The details

Leydecker won the U20 title at 55kg and the U23 crown at 57kg, going 11-1 with 108 points scored and none conceded. Other Iowa champions were Taylor Whiting (U20 53kg), Karlee Brooks (U20 57kg), and Bella Williams (U20 62kg). Williams also reached the U23 65kg final before finishing as the runner-up. In total, 14 of Iowa's 18 wrestlers placed in the top eight, with the Hawkeyes accounting for 40% of the U20 World Team.

  • The 2026 USA Wrestling Women's National Championships took place April 9-12 in Spokane, Washington.
  • The U20 World Championships will be held August 17-23, 2026 in Slovakia.
  • The U23 World Championships are scheduled for October 12-18, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Everest Leydecker

An incoming freshman who won national titles in both the U20 (55kg) and U23 (57kg) divisions, outscoring her opponents 108-0 across 11 wins.

Taylor Whiting

An incoming Iowa freshman who won the U20 national championship at 53kg, earning a spot on the U20 World Team.

Karlee Brooks

An Iowa sophomore who claimed the U20 national title at 57kg, recording three pins and two technical falls en route to the championship.

Bella Williams

An Iowa freshman who won the U20 title at 62kg and reached the U23 65kg final, showcasing her ability to compete across multiple weight classes.

Carley Ceshker

A high school senior who will join Iowa this fall, finishing runner-up to teammate Bella Williams in the U20 62kg final.

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What they’re saying

“Resilience on full display. That's a CHAMP 🏆 Everest Leydecker wins by fall in the third finals match ‼️”

— USA Wrestling

“Taylor Whiting's perseverance has pushed her to now be a member of the U20 World Team!”

— USA Wrestling

What’s next

The next major event for Iowa wrestlers is the US Open in Las Vegas from April 22-26, which will feature past, present, and future Hawkeyes in both the men's and women's divisions.

The takeaway

Iowa's dominant performance at the Women's Nationals, including five individual titles and four U20 World Team qualifiers, solidifies the program's status as a national powerhouse and a magnet for top high school talent. The Hawkeyes' depth, technical prowess, and ability to develop elite wrestlers across weight classes bodes well for their continued success at the collegiate and international levels.