The second annual USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year will be awarded after the season, but several wrestlers have separated themselves at the halfway point. Women’s college varsity wrestlers from all of the recognized college organizations are eligible, including NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA/junior college programs. 

Below are the front runners and contenders for this year’s award. Remember, this is the list as of January. Wrestlers can move in and out based on results throughout the season. 

Front Runners

Aduago Nwachuckwu, William Penn, NAIA, Junior, 136 pounds
Nwachukwu started the season at 143 pounds and made her way down to 136 where she will stay for the remainder of the season. The William Penn star could win at either weight, though, and is currently ranked first in the FloWrestling pound-for-pound rankings after reaching Final X in 2023. 

The San Jose, California, native was a finalist for this award last year and is the favorite to win her third NAIA title. She is perfect on the season against college competition following a bizarre off-season where her previous school shut down. Nwachukwu won a pair of titles for Iowa Wesleyan before transferring to William Penn when her coaches, Jake Kadel and Cash Wilcke, accepted roles on staff. 

An 11-7 win over returning NCWWC finalist Yele Aycock at the All-Star Classic was Nwachukwu’s best win of the season as she entered the homestretch of her junior year. Domination is the name of the game for Nwachukwu if she wants to win this prestigious award. Her entertaining style makes her a fan favorite every time she walks to the mat.

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Adaugo Nwachukwu defeated Yele Aycock at the All-Star Classic

Kylie Welker, Iowa, NCAA, Freshman, 170 pounds

Welker wrestles a robust schedule against the best competition in the world. In addition to her Iowa schedule, the Hawkeye star recently competed in the Zagreb Open in Croatia and is in contention for the 76-kilogram spot at the Olympic Trials. She’s a member of the U.S. National Team and is the current favorite to win the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in March. 

The Franksville, Wisconsin, native separated herself after an impressive showing at the NWCA National Duals on January 5-6 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Welker defeated North Central’s Yelena Makoyed, last year’s winner of the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Award, 11-3 in the finals. It was her second win in a row against the Cardinal star who is among the best wrestlers in the world. 

Domination is the name of the game for Welker, and she’s done that all season. Her closest match so far is a nine-point win over a three-time national champion who has four international ranking tournament gold medals.

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Kylie Welker defeated Yelena Makoyed at the NWCA National Duals

Victoria Baez-Dilone, King, NCAA, 130 pounds
Baez-Dilone showed what she can do at the National Duals with wins over McKendree’s Cam Guerin, a three-time NCWWC champion, and Aurora’s Lexi Janiak, a 2023 NCWWC finalist. She also notched a 10-0 tech over Iowa’s Emily Frost and moved up to 136 where she defeated Sacred Heart’s Aliza Leander. 

The Tornado star was a two-time NJCAA champion for Umpqua Community College who made four World teams for Spain, including the 2023 Senior World Championships. She recently won the Tornado Open with all techs and is undefeated on the season. Baez-Dilone’s weight class is deep, so winning a title is no easy feat — but it’s what will separate her from the pack when it’s time to vote.

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Victoria Baez Dilone defeated Lexi Janiak at the 2024 NWCA National Duals

Contenders

Marlynne Deede, Iowa, NCAA, Senior, 155 pounds
Deede transferred to Iowa from Augsburg after four All-American finishes and the 2023 NCWWC title at 155 pounds. Her super senior season has been impressive thus far, with a crucial fall over North Central’s London Houston — a third-place finisher at last year's nationals — in the National Duals finals. She also notched a win over Latifah McBryde of Life University at the All-Star Classic and reached the 76 kg finals of the US Nationals in December. 

Cheyenne Bowman, King, NCAA, Junior, 155 pounds
Bowman didn’t compete at the National Duals, so a showdown with Deede didn’t materialize even though the two teams met in the semifinals. Like Deede, Bowman reached the finals of the US Nationals and finished second. The La Habra, California, native blew through the recent Tornado Open and appears to be on a collision course with Deede at the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. 

Samara Chavez, King, NCAA, 116 pounds
There’s a trend here. Chavez is the third wrestler to reach the Senior National finals. She also made the U.S. National team last year and finished second at the 2023 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She didn’t compete at the National Duals but dominated the Tornado Open. 

Alara Boyd, North Central, NCAA, 143 pounds
Boyd returned to competition for her final season following an injury-plagued 2022-23 campaign when she wrestled for McKendree. The 2021 NCWWC champion finished third at US Nationals and is undefeated against college competition this year. 

Cristelle Rodriguez, Doane, NAIA, 123 pounds
Rodriguez has had a nice season so far with a pair of wins over King's Virginia Foard and a 10-5 win over three-time NCWWC champion Cameron Guerin at U.S. Nationals. She forfeited her third-place match against McKendree's Shelby Moore but qualified for the Olympic Trials by finishing fourth.