The Adaugo Nwachukwu sweepstakes are over and she is staying put.

Sort of.

Nwachukwu is a two-time NAIA champion for Iowa Wesleyan with two years of eligibility, but Iowa Wesleyan recently closed the school. That opened the door for colleges to contact one of the biggest stars about a possible transfer. 

Former Iowa Wesleyan coach Jake Kadel was immediately hired as the head women's coach at William Penn in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and his assistant, Cash Wilcke, is going with him. 

“Adaugo is going to have a hard decision to make,” Kadel said immediately after the school closed. “She’s getting bombarded by everybody in America. We put in a lot of time to develop her and she’s gotten a ton better since she’s been here.

“She’s basically family to us. She’s the one who is going to have to make that hard decision.”

Apparently, the decision wasn't difficult after all. Nwachukwu announced she is transferring to William Penn during a post-match interview when she made a U20 World team in Spokane, Washington. This is her second U20 World team at 62 kg after winning a World bronze medal in 2022. 

"We found out (about Iowa Wesleyan closing) about two weeks ago on a Tuesday at 9 a.m. I was at a nursing clinical and they sent out an email and I had to drive 30 minutes back to school for the meeting. They told us the school was shut down due to financial issues.

"I've already made my decision. I'm going to go with my coaches to William Penn."

This is a good start for Kadel since returning two-time national finalist Mia Palumbo is also transferring with Nwacukwu. Iowa Wesleyan finished seventh at the 2023 NAIA Championships with 92.5 points, while William Penn finished 33rd out of 35 teams by scoring one point. 

Nwachukwu will compete in the upcoming US Open at either 59 or 62 kg depending on how she feels this week. 

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Nwachukwu defeated Savannah Cosme by tech during her first match of the best-of-three finals

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Nwachukwu won by fall during her second match against Cosme to make her second U20 World team