Iowa State Adds Women's Wrestling As 18th Varsity Program

Key Points:

• Iowa State University will launch women's wrestling as its 18th intercollegiate athletics program in the 2027-28 academic year, aiming to capitalize on the sport's rapid growth and strong local interest.
• The program will be led by Coach Alli St. John and will initially offer 10 scholarships with a roster of 30 athletes, marking the first new sport addition at ISU since 1996.
• Women's wrestling was recognized as an NCAA emerging sport in 2020, became the NCAA's 91st championship sport in January 2025, and held its first national championship in March 2026 in Coralville, Iowa.
• The sport is rapidly expanding at the high school level, with 218 Iowa high schools sponsoring women's wrestling and over 8,100 high schools nationwide participating, reflecting its status as one of the fastest-growing sports for young women.
• Iowa State Athletics officials highlight the strategic fit and growth potential of women's wrestling, anticipating it will enhance Iowa's rich wrestling tradition and provide new competitive opportunities for female athletes.