Iowa associate head coach Gary Mayabb wouldn’t disclose much about the team during his interview with FloWrestling’s Andy Hamilton at the NWCA Coaches Convention. The affable and talkative Mayabb kept his lips sealed about roster decisions and recruiting philosophy.

The Hawkeyes have depth beyond depth beyond depth, leaving head coach Clarissa Chun with roster decisions that few — if any — ever face.

“Coach Chun tried to make a schedule to allow for a lot of opportunities of wrestling throughout the year,” Mayabb said. “Between that and what we get done every day, there will be those people that will rise. It is an unfortunate wealth in that area that we have.”

That’s an understatement. 

Our collective minds wonder how this will unfold. In-room battles might have become potential NCAA finals matchups, but they won’t happen since teams can only send one wrestler per weight to nationals. 

Iowa returns 15 All-Americans, including five college national champions and three national finalists.

It’s possible that two champs and two finalists won’t make the post-season roster — an unprecedented situation as women’s college wrestling enters the NCAA era.  

Lightweight Decisions

The first two weights, in particular, will keep our popcorn buckets full. It’s anyone’s guess who will reach the post-season at 103 and 110 pounds among six national title contenders. 

There’s a three- or four-way log jam depending on who goes where. Sterling Dias and Rianne Murphy competed at 103 last season, with Emilie Gonzalez, Ava Bayless, and Val Solorio at 110. Nyla Valencia has been out the past two seasons with injuries, but she might be the best of the 110-pounders. 

Solorio and Murphy competed as true freshmen and could redshirt. Solorio could also challenge at 103 if she wants to move down. And someone could always move up to 117. 

“(Nyla) looks great,” Mayabb said. “Every day she comes in with such a disciplined approach and a work ethic that matches it. The teammates that are around her every day, she helps them, and it’s a great combination.” 

Heavyweight Decisions

Then there’s 207 pounds. 

Jaycee Foeller is back for a fifth season, after finishing 2nd (at McKendree, NCWWC), 2nd (at Central Methodist, NAIA), 2nd, and 2nd (at Iowa, NCWWC). She will attempt to win a national title during her senior season, but she might get competition if Naomi Simon moves up from 180. 

Simon finished third at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships but is behind two-time national champion and 2024 World bronze medalist Kylie Welker. The Decorah, Iowa, native could join All-American Katja Osteen, Sam Calkins, and Libby Dix for a five-way competition for one spot. Or, Simon could redshirt. 

The Hawkeyes return Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades at 160 and Welker at 180. Reese Larramendy is the favorite at 145 after finishing third last season and first in 2024. 

The Best Of The Best Of The Rest

US Open champion Brianna Gonzalez has 117 locked down unless there are moves in weight. 

Cali Leng finished seventh at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, but could get competition from incoming freshman phenom Isabella Marie Gonzalez at 124. 

Two-time All-American Skye Realin was injured last season, but she will battle Karlee Brooks, Emily Frost, and true freshman Sam Sachs for the 131-pound spot. 

All-American Lilly Luft was injured, too — but she had an impressive showing at the U20 World Team Trials where she reached the best-of-three finals. She could face stiff competition from true freshman Bella Williams, a 2024 U17 World teamer and Fargo champion. 

The race for a spot at the 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships begins now. Iowa is the overwhelming favorite to win the inaugural tournament in its backyard on March 6-7 at Xtream Arena. 

2025-26 Iowa Overview

Head coach: Clarissa Chun (3rd season)

Assistants: Gary Mayabb, Tonya Verbeek

2025 NCWWC tournament finish: 1st

2025 NWCA National Duals finish: 1st

2025 NCWWC tournament record: 70-20

2025 NCWWC tournament points: 201.5

2025 dual record: 19-0

Returning All-Americans: 15 (Sterling Dias, Rianne Murphy, Emilie Gonzalez, Ava Bayless, Brianna Gonzalez, Cali Leng, Skye Realin, Lilly Luft, Reese Larramendy, Kennedy Blades, Ella Schmit, Kylie Welker, Naomi Simon, Jaycee Foeller, Katja Osteen)

Last college national champion: Macey Kilty, Kennedy Blades, Kylie Welker (2025)

Highest national tournament finish: 1st (2024, 2025)

Highest national team finish under Chun: 1st (2024, 2025)

Most national placers in a season under Chun: 15 (2025)

Prospective Line-up

103/110 Pounds
Sterling Dias (2nd, 4th)
Rianne Murphy (3rd)
Emilie Gonzalez (1st, 5th)
Ava Bayless (1st, 4th)
Val Solorio
Nyla Valencia

117 Pounds
Brianna Gonzalez (2nd, 5th), 2025 US Open champion
Ava Rose
Harlee Hiller

124 Pounds
Cali Leng (7th)
Isabella Marie Gonzalez
Mia Goodwin

131 Pounds
Skye Realin (4th, 5th)
Karlee Brooks
Emily Frost
Sam Sachs

138 Pounds
Lilly Luft (5th)
Bella Williams, 2024 U17 World Team
Danni Swihart

145 Pounds
Reese Larramendy (1st, 3rd)
Cadence Diduch, 2024 U20 World Team

160 Pounds
Kennedy Blades (1st), 2024 Olympic silver medalist
Ella Schmit (7th)
Adriana Palumbo 

180 Pounds
Kylie Welker (1st, 1st), 2024 World bronze medalist
Naomi Simon (3rd), 2024 U20 World bronze medalist

207 Pounds
Jaycee Foeller (2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd)
Naomi Simon (3rd), 2024 U20 World bronze medalist
Katja Osteen (6th, 6th)
Sam Calkins
Libby Dix