NWCA Releases First NCAA Women’s Coaches Poll Ahead of Historic 2025–26 Season
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has released its first NCAA Women’s Coaches Poll for the upcoming 2025–26 season. This season will be highlighted by the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, set to take place March 6–7 in Coralville, Iowa, at Xtream Arena. Women’s wrestling marks the NCAA’s 91st championship sport. You can find more info at the NCAA’s site by clicking here.
In the team poll, picking up where they left off after winning the NCWWC title a year ago, the Iowa Hawkeyes sit atop the preseason poll with 109 points and all 10 of their wrestlers ranked. McKendree starts the year in second with 88 points, followed closely by North Central College’s 84. Grand Valley State (77) and Presbyterian (57) round out the top five.
The poll is a Tournament Power Index (TPI) ranking and not based on a team’s dual-meet strength. TPI point totals are determined by individual rankings directly correlated to placement points. The top team totals will be lower than the actual NCAA tournament scores, as the poll does not include bonus or advancement points. [1st = 16, 2nd = 12, 3rd = 10, 4th = 9, 5th = 7, 6th = 6, 7th = 4, 8th = 3, 9th = 2, 10th = 1]
As mentioned earlier, Iowa leads the nation with 10 ranked … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/10/16/national-wrestling-coaches-association-nwca-releases-first-ncaa-womens-coaches-poll-ahead-of-historic-2025-26-season.aspx
2025 NWCA All-Star Classic Match Order Is Set!
The full slate of matchups for the 2025 NWCA All-Star Wrestling Classic on November 1st is set!
The 2025 NWCA All-Star Classic will take place on Saturday, November 1st, in Jersey Mike’s Arena on the campus of Rutgers University.
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This event can be viewed only on FloWrestling and will feature 10 highly ranked Division 1 folkstyle matchups, along with four cross-divisional women’s freestyle matches and one D2 vs D3 men’s match.
2025 NWCA All-Star Classic
2025 NWCA All-Star Classic Bout Order
Women’s Matches
138 lbs – #1 Zaynah McBryde, Life vs #1 Katie Lange, Grand Valley
145 lbs – #1 Esther Kolawole, William Penn vs #2 Reese Larramendy, Iowa
160 lbs – #1 Latifah McBryde, Life vs #1 (145) Bella Mir, North Central
117 lbs – #1 Sage Mortimer, Grand Valley vs #2 Salyna Shotwell
D2 vs D3 Match
141lbs – #1 Mark Samuel, Roanoke vs #1 Khyvon Grace, West Liberty … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14593577-2025-nwca-all-star-classic-match-lineup
College Women’s Wrestling News – end of October
Iowa Women’s Wrestlers Set Sights on Inaugural NCAA Tourney on Home Turf
Coralville’s Xtream Arena will play host to the growing sport’s first NCAA championships in March.
he path to a national title will only get tougher. Iowa women’s wrestling coach Clarissa Chun embraces that reality as a natural byproduct of the sport’s rapid growth.
The Hawkeyes will be at the center of another milestone on the mat, March 6–7, 2026, when they host the inaugural women’s wrestling NCAA championships at Coralville’s Xtream Arena. “These are the things we work toward to not only grow as a sport, but to provide these young women opportunities to compete on a big stage,” says Chun. “This recognizes that they’re there, and there is enough competitiveness in the sport. It also fuels the opportunity for other programs to add women’s wrestling.”
Division I Expansion
Chun says Division I has ground to cover to keep pace with the rapid increase of Division II and Division III institutions offering the sport. Since the NCAA approved women’s wrestling for championship status last January, she has received calls from several Big Ten and Big 12 universities seeking advice on establishing programs of their own. Lehigh University became the sport’s sixth Division I varsity program in May, following historically Black college and university Delaware State. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State fields one of several prominent club teams hoping to make the jump.
NCAA Format Changes
Iowa seeks a third straight national title this season but has fewer opportunities to flex its depth at the championship level. … more at … https://magazine.foriowa.org/story.php?ed=true&storyid=2574
And …
When Will Oklahoma State Add A Women’s Wrestling Program?
Izzak Olejnik discusses his role with the Oklahoma State women’s club wrestling team, the future of the program, and John Smith’s coaching role.
Oklahoma State has a women’s club wrestling team with a roster of 30. Several top high school wrestlers arrived in Stillwater expecting the Cowgirls to become a sanctioned Division I program.
How close is that to happening?
Below are takeaways from a conversation with women’s club coach Izzak Olejnik about his role and the future of the program. Watch the entire interview with Olejnik above.
What’s Olejnik’s role with the women’s club team?
Olejnick transferred from Northern Illinois to Oklahoma State his senior season, finishing fifth at 165 for the Cowboys at the 2024 NCAA Championships. He continued to train with the RTC and was asked if he wanted to run a few of the women’s practices for the upstart women’s team. “I knew I wanted to coach and this was a great opportunity to see where we can take it,” Olejnik said. “I started dedicating my time to the girls who were in the club. That’s how it all started and 30 girls later we have a full dual schedule and tournament schedule.”
Olejnik still works out with the Cowboy RTC, but is currently injured.
“I’m helping out with the RTC but pretty much full-time with the Cowgirls. If you really want this to grow, you kind of have to be full time and fully locked into it. I’ve dedicated my time and efforts into Cowgirl wrestling.”
What’s John Smith’s role?
The Cowgirl wrestling team made waves when former men’s coach John Smith — a six-time World and Olympic champion — was added as a volunteer coach. Smith has been in the room almost daily. “He’s been in the room a lot more than I thought … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14649730-when-will-oklahoma-state-add-a-womens-wrestling-program
And …
5 Women’s Wrestling Documentaries You Need To Watch
Here are five women’s wrestling documentaries you need to see, and how to watch.
This is the year of women’s wrestling documentaries. Here are five you need to watch — and how to watch. Scroll to the end for women’s documentaries available on Flo.
HAWKEYES: The First Season with Iowa Women’s Wrestling
Experience college wrestling through the lens of the Iowa Hawkeyes as their women’s team makes their way through their very first season. This three part series will display college wrestling in a way that’s never been seen before. Meet the athletes and get to know their stories as they try to help guide the Hawkeyes to a national title.
All American
Women’s wrestling is more than a sport. It’s a movement.
That’s the tagline for Mark Altschul’s soon-to-be-released must-watch women’s wrestling documentary. The film’s synopsis is this: “In this modern, coming-of-age documentary, Naomi, Jojo, and Arham grapple with economic divides, gender roles, and family dynamics while competing in the fastest-growing high school sport in the country: women’s wrestling.” All of the above is true, but that’s a surface-level description of a documentary that captures wrestling’s essence. Filmed over five years from 2017 to 2022, ‘All American’ provides an in-depth look into women’s wrestling, … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14650279-5-womens-wrestling-documentaries-you-need-to-watch
WIN’s 2025-26 Race for the Dan Hodge Trophy Preseason Front-runners
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in WIN’s Volume 32 Issue 1, the High School and College Preview Edition, which was published Oct. 10, 2025.
The Dan Hodge Trophy, sponsored by WIN Magazine and Culture House and presented by ASICS, will be awarded after the NCAA Championships to the most dominant college wrestler.
Created by WIN founder Mike Chapman in 1995, the award is named after the late Dan Hodge, the three-time NCAA champion from the University of Oklahoma (1955-57) who never allowed a takedown in his career, pinning 36 of 46 opponents.
In addition to the fan vote, the Hodge Trophy Voting Committee, made up of all past winners of the award, former coaches and national media members vote for the winner each year. Criteria for winning the award includes a wrestler’s record, … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/10/21/31975/
Top returning men’s college wrestlers to watch this season
Shannon Scovel breaks down some of the headlining wrestlers returning for the 2025-26 season. … video at … https://www.ncaa.com/video/wrestling-men/2025-10-21/top-returning-mens-college-wrestlers-watch-season
Augsburg Tops NWCA Division III Men’s Preseason Coaches Poll
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has released the Preseason Division III Men’s Coaches Poll, setting the stage for another exciting season of NCAA Division III men’s wrestling. The poll follows an unforgettable finish to last season where Johnson & Wales and Wartburg were crowned Co-Champions, a historic feat not seen since 1933, when Iowa State and Oklahoma State shared the team title.
This season’s preseason tournament team top 25 poll has 15-time National Champion Augsburg in first with 64.5 points, followed by The College of New Jersey’s 42 points. Rounding out the top five are Roanoke College (41.5), Wartburg College (41), and UW-La Crosse (30.5).
Augsburg leads all teams as the only squad with multiple individuals receiving #1 rankings with two, Cooper Willis (165) and Brandt Bombard (184). The following schools each feature one top-ranked wrestler entering the season: North Central, Wabash, Roanoke, SUNY Cortland, Loras, TCNJ, UW-Eau Claire, and Wartburg.TOP RANKED INDIVIDUALS | NATIONAL RANKINGS | REGIONAL RANKINGS
125 – Christian Guzman, North Central
133 – James Day, Wabash
141 – Mark Samuel, Roanoke
149 – Angelo Centrone, SUNY Cortland
157 – Eric Kinkaid, Loras … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/10/27/national-wrestling-coaches-association-familiar-face-augsburg-starts-new-season-in-the-top-spot.aspx
Lander picked for fifth straight Conference Carolinas men’s wrestling crown in preseason poll
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Lander University has been picked atop the 2025-26 Conference Carolinas Men’s Wrestling Preseason Poll the league announced on Thursday, October 23. The Bearcats won the final two South Atlantic Conference Carolinas crowns before taking the Conference Carolinas West Division and tournament titles in each of the last two years, the first two years men’s wrestling was Conference Carolinas soley sponsored sport.
The Bearcats received 13-of-15 first-place votes (teams can’t vote for themselves) and 195 total points to claim the top spot while the University of Mount Olive was picked to finish second with 172 points and one first place vote. UNC Pembroke and King University were picked third and fourth with 160 and 154 points respectively. Newberry College rounded out the top five with the final first place vote and 149 points.
Belmont Abbey College (134) was sixth in the preseason poll followed by the University of Montevallo (110), Coker University (96), Emmanuel University (84) and Bluefield State University (64) rounded out the top 10. The poll was rounded out … more at … https://conferencecarolinas.com/news/2025/10/19/lander-picked-for-fourth-straight-conference-carolinas-mens-wrestling-crown-in-preseason-poll.aspx
Duke Blue Devils Hold Wrestle-Offs Ahead of 2025-26 Opener
DURHAM, N.C. — With less than one week remaining until the 2025-26 Duke wrestling campaign gets rolling, the Blue Devils held wrestle-offs this past weekend. Blue Devil head coach Glen Lanham enters his 14th season at Duke and returns a key nucleus that includes tri-captains Connor Barket, Gaetano Console and Aidan Wallace.
Weight 125
Redshirt freshman Riley Rowan opened the competition with a 9-0 decision over Spencer von Savoye. Rowan, who is from Perry, Ohio, registered eight points in the second and third periods, while adding a point for riding time for the victory.
In another match for Rowan, he faced Evan Coles. The match featured an exciting first period that saw all 27 points in the match. Rowan totaled a 21-6 win.
Weight 133
In the first match, freshman John King faced Coles and collected a 21-6 decision. King also faced von Savoye in the second match and took an early 10-1 lead through the first two periods. King totaled two additional points in the third to seal the victory 12-5.
Weight 141
Junior Raymond Adams went up against redshirt freshman Noah Kochman in the first match of the 141-pound weight class. After a scoreless first period, Adams took a 3-1 lead in the second period and hung on for the 3-1 decision.
Weight 149
Redshirt freshman Dylan Ross and redshirt freshman Eli Murray squared off at 149 pounds … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2025/10/27/wrestling-blue-devils-hold-wrestle-offs-ahead-of-2025-26-opener
The Woman of the Year Selection Committee has announced the Top 30 honorees for the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year Award
Established in 1991, the award is rooted in Title IX and recognizes female student-athletes who have completed their undergraduate studies and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers.
Selected from a record-breaking 631 nominees submitted by member schools — a group that was then narrowed to 167 nominees at the conference level — the Top 30 honorees include 10 from each of the three NCAA divisions. Each honoree has demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. The honorees competed in a total of 14 NCAA championship sports and two NCAA Emerging Sports for Women. They have a variety of majors, including chemistry, mathematics, biology, education, engineering, psychology, nursing, computer science, journalism, sport management and more.
“These honorees represent the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete, and the character-building potential that is inherent in all athletic pursuits. They have distinguished themselves among the many thousands of collegiate athletes who find and surpass their limits every day on the journey to becoming their best selves, not just in sport, but in life,” said Marion Terenzio, chair of the Woman of the Year Selection Committee and president of SUNY Cobleskill. “I congratulate all of the remarkable women named to the Top 30 and applaud their demonstrated ability … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/10/22/media-center-the-woman-of-the-year-selection-committee-has-announced-the-top-30-honorees-for-the-2025-ncaa-woman-of-the-year-award.aspx
Bo Bassett Makes Super 32 History — But He Wasn’t the Only Four-Time Champ Crowned in Greensboro
Pennsylvania’s Bo Bassett became the first-ever four-time boys’ champion at the Super 32 Tournament, joining Maryland’s Taina Fernandez, who achieved the same milestone just minutes earlier. Several other stars, including Melvin Miller, Rocklin Zinkin and the Mills brothers, also left Greensboro with gold belts.
As the competition was whittled down on Saturday at the Super 32 Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, it led to the anticipation of Sunday’s stage being set for No. 1 Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort, Pennsylvania) to become the first ever four-time champ in the boy’s division.
History made twice at Super 32
We need to designate boys’ division specifically now because, in running order, shortly before Bassett’s bout came Maryland’s Taina Fernandez’s 138-pound final on the lady’s front. Fernandez’s 10-0 technical fall of Arizona’s No. 2 Morgan Lucio (Valiant Prep) made Fernandez the first ever four-time champ, with Bassett joining the club not long after her. Fernadez, a junior at Archbishop Spalding in Maryland, won a Super 32 Belt when she was an eighth grader. More coverage of her escapades can be found in our girls Super 32 article. … more a … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/bo-bassett-makes-super-32-history-but-he-wasn-t-the-only-four-time-champ-crowned-in-greensboro-01k80wazacf1
High school wrestling star Bo Bassett to make Real American Freestyle debut at RAF3 in Chicago
High school wrestling star Bo Bassett signed with Real American Freestyle and will debut at RAF3 on Nov. 29 in Chicago, the company announced Friday.
Bassett, who is committed to Virginia Tech, has a 126-0 high school record in Pennsylvania with 120 bonus-point victories heading into his senior season. He claimed the U17 world title in 2021 and a U20 world bronze in 2024. “Real American Freestyle is where the best of the best face off, and I’m honored to be given the opportunity to compete this November,” Bassett said in a statement. “This is a great chance to wrestle the best senior level wrestlers in the world, and I’m proud to be part of this organization. RAF is going to be the NFL or NBA of wrestling.”
Chad Bronstein, co-Founder and CEO of Real American Freestyle, said it’s not too early for the 19-year-old to compete at this level. … more at … https://apnews.com/article/wrestling-real-american-freestyle-702cfc1ef1fd2cd97c99a54b738d6757
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 