Takedown Report

The first NCAA women’s wrestling champions are crowned. How bright is the sport’s future?

The NCAA’s inaugural National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships wrapped up Saturday in Coralville, Iowa. 
Let’s meet the overall champion and the winners of each weight class, understand why there are so many Division II and Division III wrestling programs and learn about how the national championships translate to the Olympics.
Milestone moments, first champions:
Meet the overall champion and the winners of each weight class.
McKendree is the first team national champion in women’s wrestling. McKendree, under coach Alexio Garcia, bested second-place Iowa 171-166 for the title. North Central (Illinois) finished third with 123.5 points, while Grand Valley State (110.5) finished fourth.  
Individual champions:

• 103 pounds: Valarie Solorio, Iowa.
• 110 pounds: Audrey Jimenez, Lehigh.
• 117 pounds: Yu Sakamoto, McKendree.
• 124 pounds: Xochitl Mota-Pettis, Quincy.
• 131 pounds: Cameron Guerin, McKendree.
• 138 pounds: Katerina Lange, Grand Valley State.
• 145 pounds: Bella Mir, North Central (Illinois).
• 160 pounds: Kennedy Blades, Iowa.
• 180 pounds: Kylie Welker, Iowa. 
• 207 pounds: Tristan Kelly, McKendree. … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/3/9/media-center-the-first-ncaa-womens-wrestling-champions-are-crowned-how-bright-is-the-sports-future.aspx

March 14, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized