Takedown Report

Growing number of schools ready for official NCAA sanctioning of women’s wrestling

By Mike Finn

Joe Norton, the head coach of the North Central women’s wrestling team in Naperville, Ill., actually wanted to be a sports journalist before the former college wrestler became a coach.

With that in mind, Norton had a headline in his mind after the Cardinals claimed the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships team title, March 4, at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

“North Central Dominated,” was the coach’s opinion … and the Cardinal women certainly backed up their coach’s beliefs when 15 wrestlers from this NCAA Division III school earned All-American honors. That included three champions: Madison Avila (101 pounds), Jaslynn Gallegos (116) and Yelena Makoyed (170), who became the first wrestler from the school to win three national titles.

This story appeared in the April 6 edition of WIN Magazine. Click on the cover or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.

The NCWWC tournament was created three years ago, shortly after the NCAA announced women’s wrestling had earned “emerging-sports” status … leading the NCAA member schools like King and McKendree — which finished second and third to North Central — to compete in this event.

But there were two things that made this year’s event historic. One, it was held at a neutral site for the first time and the finals drew over 2,000 fans. Two, it took place a couple days after an annoucement that there were now enough programs for the NCAA to eventually award varsity status to the sport in the next few years.

Julia Salata, who represents the Wrestle Like a Girl organization, was in Cedar Rapids to help announce the move to an officially sanctioned sport.

“Logistically speaking for this to work, the sports sponsorship data will be submitted by all the institutions in July,” Salata said. “In September, the recommendation will be made to the committee on women’s athletics to make women’s wrestling a championship sport. It’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Salata pointed out the NCAA will vote on the proposal next January and that the process usually takes about 14 months to put a championship together. That means there is a chance that the first NCAA women’s championships could take place in March of 2025, but most likely 2026.

Most of the schools competing in this event were smaller schools. But there were a few Division I schools like Sacred Heart and Lock Haven, which finished seventh and 11th in the 2023 NCWWC team standings. … rest of story at WIN-magazine.com/Growing-number-of-schools-ready-for-official-ncaa-sanctioning-of-womens-wrestling

May 17, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized