Iowa State University Launches Women’s Wrestling as 18th Varsity Sport

In a move that really highlights the rapid growth of women’s wrestling, Iowa State University just announced it’s adding women’s wrestling as its 18th intercollegiate athletics program. The team will debut in the 2027-28 academic year.

This is a big milestone for Iowa State’s athletic history. It opens up new opportunities for female athletes, both in Iowa and across the country.

Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard made the announcement. He pointed to Iowa State’s deep wrestling roots and said women’s wrestling fits perfectly into their athletic vision.

The Rise of Women’s Wrestling

Iowa State’s decision to launch women’s wrestling shows just how quickly the sport is growing. It’s honestly one of the fastest-rising sports at high school and college levels right now.

Participation and support have really taken off in recent years. In June 2020, women’s wrestling joined the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, which set the stage for future championships.

NCAA’s Milestone Achievements

Women’s wrestling has hit some huge milestones in the NCAA:

• June 2020 – Women’s wrestling added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.
• October 2023 – The sport surpassed the threshold of 40 schools sponsoring varsity programs.
• February 7, 2024 – The NCAA’s Committee on Women’s Athletics recommended elevating women’s wrestling to full championship status.
• January 17, 2025 – Women’s wrestling officially became the NCAA’s 91st championship sport.
• March 7, 2026 – McKendree University won the first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship.

Iowa State’s Commitment to Women’s Athletics

With women’s wrestling joining the roster, Iowa State keeps showing it’s serious about giving more opportunities to female athletes. This is the first new sport they’ve added since women’s soccer came on board in 1996.

Now the school sponsors 18 sports in total—11 for women and seven for men. For the first women’s wrestling team in 2027-28, they’re planning to offer 10 scholarships and keep a roster of 30 athletes.

Leadership and Vision

Alli St. John, who’s earned two World Wrestling Championship silver medals, will lead the new program as head coach. Her hiring says a lot about Iowa State’s ambitions for the team.

Coach St. John brings plenty of experience and a clear vision. She’ll be key in building a strong, competitive program and shaping the team’s culture from the ground up.

Impact on the Wrestling Community

Adding women’s wrestling at Iowa State is a win not just for the school, but for wrestling as a whole. Iowa State has a legendary wrestling history, so launching a women’s program just feels right.

Plenty of people believe this move will inspire young female wrestlers in Iowa and beyond. It gives them another path to chase their sport at the college level.

State and National Growth

The sport’s momentum is obvious, both in Iowa and across the U.S. Right now, 218 Iowa high schools have women’s wrestling teams, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will hold its fourth state championship in February 2026.

Next year, Iowa will also roll out a state dual meet championship. Nationally, 8,100 high schools sponsor women’s wrestling, supporting 74,064 female student-athletes, according to the 2024-25 National Federation of High Schools annual athletics participation summary.

Looking Ahead

Iowa State’s move feels like a smart step that matches where college athletics are headed. The buzz around the team’s debut is real, and honestly, it’s tough not to get caught up in the excitement.

People are curious to see what kind of impact this will have on the sport’s future. It’s a big moment for women’s wrestling, no doubt.

Building a Legacy

Iowa State’s getting ready to launch its women’s wrestling program, and there’s a lot of talk about building a legacy like the men’s team. You can feel the buzz from the wrestling community—people are genuinely excited.

The university’s support and resources really help set things up for a bright future. Big events, like the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk dual, just add to the anticipation and seem likely to draw even more eyes to the sport.

For more info about Iowa State University’s new women’s wrestling program, check out the official announcement.