Takedown Report

Can D3 North Central Compete With Iowa Wrestling?

North Central returns 19 All-Americans next season. Is it enough to compete with the Hawkeyes?

Iowa sent its full line-up to watch National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earlier this year. The Hawkeyes made the 15-minute drive north to scout the competition for their inaugural season. 

North Central — a Division III program located in Naperville, Illinois — put on quite a show at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse. The Cardinals had 15 All-Americans, six finalists, and three champions, which was 35 points better than runner-up King University. 

It was a powerhouse performance for a school that does not offer athletic scholarships. 

“We want to win national titles every single year,” North Central coach Joe Norton said following his team’s dominant victory. “We want to win all 10 weight classes every single year. That’s the goal. I don’t care what division we are or what divisions we’re competing against, whoever steps on the line across from us, we want to beat them.”

Battle Of The Birds

The national championship mountain just got steeper when the Hawkeyes added women’s wrestling. Iowa is the overwhelming favorite despite zero sanctioned competitions. 

The National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships includes NCAA teams from all divisions (I, II, and III). There are currently four D1 women’s wrestling programs (Iowa, Lindenwood, Presbyterian, and Sacred Heart) and Iowa is the only Power Five school. 

Clarissa Chun’s team flexed its muscles during opens last season, including a staggering performance at the prestigious Missouri Valley Open where seven future Hawkeyes entered unattached and five won titles. The other two finished second, losing tight matches to teammates. Iowa-Unattached combined for a 36-2 overall record.

“We want to beat them,” Norton said. “We’re going to tell our girls that we can hang with them. Our whole team is back minus Yelena unless I can squeeze a COVID year out of her. I think the team we have right now can compete with their team. 

“Our girls don’t care who they are. Our girls expect to win every time they step foot on the mat. We expect to go with Iowa. We know how good they are. They have a good coach and they have a great administration that supports wrestling, but our goal is to go toe-to-toe with them and try to beat them.” 

Will Yelena Return For A Final Season?

North Central has a squad that could contend next season. The Cardinals return 19 All-Americans (not a misprint) and two national champions. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11177633-can-d3-north-central-compete-with-iowa-wrestling

August 7, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized