2025-26 Girls High School Wrestling National Rankings – Dec. 19, 2025
Women of Ironman results, weight shifts and inactive stars are reshaping the latest Girls’ National Wrestling Rankings — including new No. 1s, key lineup changes and what’s coming next on the national calendar
This week’s update to the Girls’ National Wrestling Rankings factors in the Women of Ironman results as well as the other tournaments from last week around the country that had results posted online.
Why Weight Changes Matter: Inside Our Ranking Adjustments
We are moving the ladies around as we see them in different weights than we have them ranked. There are exceptions, and these determinations are made when we can see what the girls weighed. Some tournaments post their weight when stepping on the scale.
An example of this is a wrestler that is ranked at 105 pounds competing at 110 yet staying in the 105-pound rankings. After the holiday break, the women like the boys, receive a two-pound weight allowance. Making 105, 107 pounds. If said wrestler weighed in at 108.6, it is very likely she will be at 105 pounds after the break.
We don’t mind moving people around and will do so, but we try to be practical about it and not move people if there is evidence that they will likely stay at the weight where they are currently ranked.
Inactive Standouts Removed (For Now) — And What It Means
As time allows and we’re not seeing some of the girls come across our radar, we are searching for results. In some cases, we are not finding any, which suggests they are homeschooled or only participate during the Spring and Summer Freestyle events.
These athletes have been removed (for now). They will be added back in when they step on the mat. If they are planning on competing during the high school season shoot us a message, but if they are not wrestling, no one as the opportunity to beat them, so it’s not fair to hold on to a ranking if they are not participating.
New No. 1s Emerge as Turner, Leydecker and Joyce Step Aside
This cleared out three previous number ones and escalated new blood into those spots as we’ve witnessed Morgan Turner’s Lockport squad at the Dan Gable Donnybrook and the Women of Ironman sans Turner. Everest Leydecker and Gray Joyce are the other two top-rated girls that we’ve set aside. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/2025-26-girls-high-school-wrestling-national-rankings-dec-19-2025-01kcvkb1qb5b
2025-26 Boys High School Wrestling National Rankings – Dec. 19, 2025
Major movement hits the early-season rankings after Ironman upsets, weight-class adjustments, and breaking news on Jax Forrest — with national powers now set for a massive showdown weekend across Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada, Indiana, and California
Ironman forced some changes at the top and produced four new number ones in St. Edward, Ohio’s Karson Brown (138 pounds), Jayden James (Delbarton, New Jersey at 165), Edmond North, Oklahoma’s Joseph Jeter (175 pounds), and at 190, Michael White (Lawrence North, Indiana).
Jeter Reclaims 175-Pound Throne After Ironman Revenge Win
When Jeter was announced as a competitor for Flo’s Who’s No. 1, we placed him at the top of the 175-pound list. Some tough sledding versus Pennsylvania’s Nick Singer (Faith Christian Academy) moved Jeter down the ranks. In the Ironman finals, Jeter avenged that loss to reclaim the top spot at 175 pounds. Weight-Class Adjustments Create a New No. 1 at 106
Another number one emerged at 106 pounds, but not because of anything that happened on the mat. We moved Ariah Mills (Buford, Georgia) up to 113 pounds where he has been wrestling. That adjustment left Kooper Deputy (Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania) in the number one spot at 106.
We’re adjusting weights but at the same time keeping in mind the additional two pounds the wrestlers will get after the Holiday Break. So, guys who are up one weight, who have a track record at the lower weight, will likely be there in the New Year.
Holiday Weight Allowances Shape Early-Season Movement
We are updating weekly at this point, so if they don’t go down in weight, we’ll move them up. We’re only three weeks into the season, so this is still considered early and most descension plans won’t allow a full drop just yet. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/2025-26-boys-high-school-wrestling-national-rankings-dec-19-2025-01kcwn9fq30e
#6 Women’s Wrestling Halts Frostburg’s Five-Match Winning Streak
DOVER, Del. – The sixth-ranked Presbyterian College women’s wrestling team has accomplished their 10th dual victory over a top-20 opponent in the past two seasons, smashing the Frostburg State Bobcats at a neutral venue by 28 points on Friday afternoon (34-6).
Just 48 hours after winning three contests in Las Vegas – including a 14-point comeback over fifth-ranked Colorado Mesa and a 17-point W over eighth-ranked Simon Fraser – PC kept the train chugging in Delaware as they never trailed.
The 124-lb. match was perhaps the most anticipated of the bunch, as #5 Alyssa Mahan rolled seventh-ranked Brianna Holcomb with a 12-1 technical fall. 180-pounder Lexi Fornshell and third-ranked Chloe Dearwester (110) picked up a pair of pins as Presby controlled an opponent that came into the affair with five straight victories.
Other notables came from Laura Ruiz Diaz and #4 Carina Giangeruso, who each earned 10-0 sprints for two more technicals. The Blue Hose have now reached a four-match winning streak of their own and hold an 8-2 overall mark. Impressively, their average margin of victory stands at 30 points. … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2025/12/19/womens-wrestling-6-womens-wrestling-halts-frostburgs-five-match-winning-streak.aspx
VFMC Announces Rob Hjerling as Head Coach to Lead the Return of Wrestling
Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) announced today that Rob Hjerling, one of the most accomplished coaches in Southern Conference wrestling history, has been appointed Head Wrestling Coach as the College reinstates its wrestling program.
Hjerling brings more than two decades of NCAA Division I coaching experience, national-level success, and a proven track record of developing high-performing cadet-athletes. He joins VFMC after a distinguished career at The Citadel, where he served as head coach for 21 years.
During his tenure, The Citadel achieved some of its strongest competitive results. Hjerling coached four NCAA Division I All-Americans and more than 30 NCAA qualifiers. His 2004 squad captured both the Southern Conference tournament championship and the dual-meet title, marking one of the program’s best seasons. He was named SoCon Coach of the Year twice. “Rob is exactly the leader we want building this program,” said Colonel Stuart B. Helgeson, USMC (Ret.), President of Valley Forge Military College. “He understands the balance of athletic excellence, academic … more at … https://vfmcollege.edu/hjerling-reinstateswrestling/
No. 2 Ohio State Downs No. 3 Iowa State, Little Rock Sunday
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 2 Ohio State (10-0) opened the 2025 Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville Sunday with a 34-9 win over Arkansas-Little Rock (2-5) before knocking off No. 3 Iowa State (2-1) in the nightcap, 21-13.
The Top 3 matchup with the Cyclones started with the Buckeyes taking a 9-0 lead after the opening three bouts. No. 1 Jesse Mendez won for the second time this year against Iowa State’s No. 4 ranked Anthony Echemendia when the pair met again Sunday in the 141-pound match. Mendez prevailed 5-1 after winning a preseason match 7-3 against Echemendia at the 2025 NWCA All-Star Championships.
No. 2 Ben Devino took down No. 3 Evan Frost at 133 with a 4-2 win by decision after No. 3 Nic Bouzakis got things started against the Cyclones at 125 with a 9-2 win over No. 13 Stevo Poulin. After Iowa State won a close battle at 149, Brandon Cannon turned the tide for good for the Buckeyes with a late pin at 157 to help send Ohio State to victory.
The Buckeyes own three dual wins this season against Top 3 teams and five overall against Top 10 opponents. … more at … https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2025/12/21/wrestling-no-2-ohio-state-down-no-3-iowa-state-little-rock-sunday
Wolfpack Wrestling Adds Citadel Transfer Patrick Brophy
RALEIGH – NC State wrestling head coach Pat Popolizio has officially added Citadel transfer Patrick Brophy to the Wolfpack roster. As a redshirt-junior, the South Carolina native is immediately eligible to compete for the remainder of the 2025-25 season.
After being added to the roster last week, Brophy already competed for the Pack on Sunday, December 21 where he went 3-0 on the day.
A native of Chapin, South Carolina, Patrick Brophy competed at The Citadel for his first three years of college, where he was consistently in the individual rankings by InterMat at 197 lbs and qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia back in March.
He claimed the silver medal at the Southern Scuffle last season after winning four matches, two of which were via major decision. At Chapin High School he competed in … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/12/22/wolfpack-wrestling-adds-citadel-transfer-patrick-brophy
UNC’s Terukina Named ACC Wrestler Of The Week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina wrestling 125-pounder Kysen Terukina has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.
Terukina, in his first season with the Tar Heels, earned conference honors for the first time in his career, following last weekend’s 2-0 stretch against Nebraska and Northern Iowa.
Against the Cornhuskers, Terukina defeated Alan Koehler by decision, 4-1, followed by Sunday’s ranked decision over No. 26 Trever Anderson of Northern Iowa, 5-3. Terukina helped Carolina defeat No. 12 Northern Iowa, 19-13, the highest ranked road victory since the 2017-18 campaign.
This season, Terukina is 6-0 with all six victories coming … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2025/12/23/wrestling-terukina-named-acc-wrestler-of-the-week
Nebraska Cruises Past North Carolina, 27-9
The No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team earned a 27-9 victory over No. 16 North Carolina on Friday night at the Devaney Center. The Huskers recorded three major decisions and a pin in the heavyweight division to improve to 6-2 on the season.
Nebraska opened the dual with a strong start at 157 pounds, as No. 6 Antrell Taylor picked up a 13-2 major decision to give NU an early 4-0 lead.
At 165 pounds, redshirt freshman No. 10 LJ Araujo earned a hard fought 2-0 decision over Bryce Hepner after three tightly contested periods. No. 6 Christopher Minto followed at 174 pounds with a dominant performance securing a 17-3 major decision against Collin Carrigan.
North Carolina picked up its first points of the night at 184 pounds after No. 24 Jake Dailey defeated Tyler Eise by decision. Nebraska responded at 197 pounds after No. 10 Camden McDanel took a 10-2 major decision win and secured the Husker’s third major of the night.
In the heavyweight match, No. 4 AJ Ferrari accentuated the Husker’s lead with a dominant match leading to his first pin of the season before Alan Koehler fell by decision at 125 pounds to No. 16 Kysen Terukina. At 133 pounds, No. 8 Jacob Van Dee put up a strong contest to win 5-1 and secure his 50th career victory while No. 3 Brock Hardy (141 pounds) pulled out a 5-1 decision over No. 19 Luke Simcox.
The dual concluded at 149 pounds where Scott Robertson and Nate Askew were tied 1-1 at the end of the third before Askew secured a 4-1 win in sudden-victory.
Up Next
The Huskers will take on No. 5 Oklahoma State on Sunday, Dec. 21. The top-10 dual is set for 1 p.m. (CT), and will be televised on BTN.
No. 6 Nebraska 27, No. 16 North Carolina 9
157 | No. 6 Antrell Taylor (N) major dec. No. 33 Laird Root (UNC) 13-2 (NEB 4, UNC 0)
165 | No. 10 LJ Araujo (N) dec. Bryce Hepner (UNC) 2-0 (NEB 7, UNC 0) … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2025/12/19/nebraska-cruises-to-a-27-9-victory-over-north-carolina
Wrestling’s Biggest Dual Event Returns as 100 Plus Teams Hit the UNI-DOME
Manheim, PA – More than 100 teams will converge on Cedar Falls, Iowa, as the University of Northern Iowa hosts the 2026 NWCA/USMC Multi-Division Dual Meet Championships inside the UNI-Dome on January 9-10. A total of 113 men’s and women’s collegiate wrestling teams will compete across 36 mats placed on what is typically the Panthers’ football field. This year’s sponsors include A Better Way, Capitol Construction, Defense Soap, and the United States Marine Corps.
Competition will feature the following divisions, including the new NCAA Division III Women’s bracket. A complete list of participating teams by division can be viewed here.
2026 Divisions
- NAIA Men – 16 teams
- NAIA Women – 16 teams
- NCAA DI Men – 10 teams
- NCAA DII Men – 16 teams
- NCAA DIII Men – 24 teams
- NCAA Women (Combined Divisions) – 16 teams
- NCAA DIII Women – 15 teams
Notably, 71 of the 113 teams competing in this year’s event have been established since 2000, underscoring the continued growth of collegiate wrestling across all divisions. In addition, 43 teams that placed at last year’s championships return to the field, including the following defending champions:
- NAIA Men: Grand View
- NAIA Women: Life
- NCAA Division I Men: Northern Iowa
- NCAA Division II Men: St. Cloud State … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/12/18/national-wrestling-coaches-association-wrestlings-biggest-dual-event-returns-as-100-plus-teams-hit-the-uni-dome.aspx
Kent State University Adds Women’s Wrestling as 20th Varsity Sport, Planned to Compete in 2027
KENT, Ohio — Kent State University announced today that women’s wrestling will become the athletics department’s 20th varsity sport, marking a historic addition to the Golden Flashes athletics lineup and a milestone for collegiate athletics in Ohio. Kent State becomes the first NCAA Division I institution in the state and fifth in the nation to sponsor women’s wrestling.
The program will begin competition in fall 2027. Hiring for the program’s first head coach is expected to take place by summer 2026, following ongoing planning and facility renovations that will include updated locker rooms and coaches’ offices.
This is an exciting day for Kent State University and for the continued advancement of women’s sports, said Kent State Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randale L. Richmond. Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and establishing this program allows Kent State to support that growth while creating new opportunities for female student-athletes in Ohio and beyond. We are proud to lead the way as the first Division I program in the state to sponsor the sport. We are thrilled to add women’s wrestling, which continues our leadership in intercollegiate athletics in Ohio and the nation, said Kent State President Todd Diacon. Women’s wrestling has seen a surge of participation nationally. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the 2024–25 academic year included 8,100 girls’ high school wrestling programs nationwide and 74,064 girls participating in the sport.
Ohio has been a leader in the sport’s growth regionally. The state held its first sanctioned Girls’ High School Wrestling State Championship in 2023, and participation continues to rise. During the 2024–25 academic year, Ohio featured 507 high schools sponsoring girls’ wrestling and 2,535 girls competing statewide. Those numbers are projected to continue increasing as sanctioned collegiate pathways expand. The establishment of Kent State’s women’s wrestling program is supported through state appropriations. As part of House Bill 96, the university received funds that will help support program development, staffing, and facility preparation.
For more information, you can visit our FAQ page here.
Women’s Wrestling Timeline for Sport Sponsorship:
June 2020 — Women’s wrestling added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, giving the sport formal recognition and a pathway toward full championship status.
October 2023 — The sport surpassed the threshold of 40 schools sponsoring varsity programs … more at … https://kentstatesports.com/news/2025/12/18/womens-wrestling-kent-state-university-adds-womens-wrestling-as-20th-varsity-sport-planned-to-compete-in-2027
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 