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Women's College Notebook: NWCA National Duals Features 48 Teams Across Three Divisions

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by Tanner Lafever

Jasmine Robinson in action at the 2025 U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Jasmine Robinson in action at the 2025 U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia.

One of the best weeks of the women’s college wrestling season is officially here.

 

Why, you ask?

 

Well, because this Friday and Saturday in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the NWCA/USMC National Duals return to the UNI-Dome.

 

There, a total of 48 programs from the NCAA and NAIA ranks will converge – duking it out across three separate brackets in hopes of becoming National Duals champions.

 

Over the past few days, the NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) has released those brackets (and schedules) for each of the NCAA, NAIA and NCAA Division III tournaments.

 

And with a veritable smorgasbord of great wrestling on tap, the honor is mine to lay out this preview of some of the top storylines you can look forward to this weekend.

 

**Every dual, match and moment will be streamed live on FloWrestling – with up-to-date brackets/results/information at TrackWrestling.com**

NCAA – Can Iowa three-peat amidst a field loaded with heavy hitters? 

One of the true testaments to the strength of women’s college wrestling is that if one were to assume back-to-back champion, top-seeded Iowa was about to roll through this tournament unchallenged, they would be sorely mistaken.

 

And considering the Hawkeyes’ loaded lineup is led by a pair of multi-time World/Olympic medalists, that’s saying something.

 

Yes, even with Kennedy Blades (160) and Kylie Welker (180) at its disposal, Iowa will have to bring its very best if it hopes to three-peat this weekend.

 

That’s because the top of the NCAA (all divisions) field is absolutely stacked.

 

Iowa’s favored semifinal opponent would be between #4 North Central (IL) and #5 King (TN).

 

All those two programs have done is rack up the following accolades over the past four editions of this tournament (2022-25):

 

  • Two titles (both by King in 2022 and 2023)
  • Three runner-up finishes (all by North Central from 2023-25)
  • Two third-place finishes (one each) and one fourth (King)

 

Simply put, they know how to win on this stage. And once again in 2026, they’re bringing lineups that can do some damage.

 

As for the opposite half of the bracket, #2 seed McKendree (IL) and #3 Grand Valley State (MI) could be primed for an absolute barnburner in their own semifinal on Saturday morning.

 

For GVSU, in its second season of varsity competition, this weekend marks its first-ever appearance at the National Duals.

 

The Lakers are led by returning NCWWC champions Sage Mortimer (117) and Katie Lange (138) and boast seven other ranked wrestlers in a deep and talented lineup.

 

As for McKendree, the Bearcats have finished third or better at every National Duals since 2020 – when they won it all.

 

Alexio Garcia already had a squad filled to the brim with firepower – and now adds four-time national champion Cameron Guerin, U20 World champion Jasmine Robinson and returning national champ Tristan Kelly just in time to make a run at a title in Cedar Falls.

 

If both the Bearcats and Hawkeyes can navigate their way to the final, we could be in store for one of the most talent-rich duals in recent memory.

 

(And you’d better believe the Bearcats can win it, too.)

 

Also, keep an eye on the #8 seed, Fort Hays State (KS).

 

Like GVSU, this will be the Tigers’ National Duals debut – after starting their program in 2023.

 

They’re led by Isabella Renfro – currently ranked #1 at 180 pounds in the latest NCAA Coaches Poll.

NAIA – Will Life University extend its dominance, or will a first-time champion emerge? 

Like Iowa in the NCAA division, Life University (GA) enters this weekend as both a top seed and in search of a three-peat.

 

In fact, only a third-place finish in 2023 has stopped the Eagles from ripping off four-consecutive titles since 2022.

 

Ashley Flavin’s team is loaded from top to bottom and led once again by the McBryde sisters (Zaynah, Jamilah and Latifah) at 138/145/160 pounds.

 

But the Eagles will be tested in a major way, perhaps as soon as a fascinating (potential) semifinal against #4 seed William Penn (IA).

 

A program on a sharp, recent trajectory upward under third-year head coach Jake Kadel, the Statesmen have arguably the two best wrestlers in the entire NAIA field – Nigerian Olympians and reigning NAIA national champs Christianah Ogunsanya (117) and Esther Kolawole (145).

 

However, per FloWrestling, it could be dicey whether or not the two make it to Cedar Falls in time due to Nigeria hosting its national team trials on January 6.

 

With both in the lineup, William Penn is a serious title threat.

 

Flipping to the bottom half of the bracket, #2 seed Providence (MT) will be hoping to take another step forward at this year’s tournament.

 

Top-ranked seniors Erin Hikiji (103) and Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp (131) have played central roles in the Argonauts setting program-best finishes in each of the past three years (fifth, fourth and third).

 

To do so again in 2026 would require Providence to reach the final.

 

Likely standing in the way could be #3 Grand View (IA) – last year’s runners up.

 

Unlike the other top four seeds – all of whom have multiple #1 ranked wrestlers in their lineups – Grand View may not have any clear-cut superstars. But the Vikings probably have the best combination of depth and talent at the lightweights and could put pressure on just about anyone they face with a quick start.

 

Among other teams to keep an eye on, I might suggest starting with the first-round matchup between #7 Doane (NE) and Southern Oregon.

 

Doane is led by 2025 Team USA Senior World Teamer Cristelle Rodriguez – an absolute treat to watch any time she takes the mat. Meanwhile, Southern Oregon was the National Duals champion just three years ago (2023).

 

The Raiders, under first-year head coach Katlyn Monroe, also have a top-ranked wrestler in their lineup – sophomore Lillian Gradillas-Flores at 207 pounds.

NCAA (Division III) – Ranked teams/individuals highlight new addition to National Duals 

Our final preview portion of this women’s notebook is reserved for a brand-new element of the National Duals event.

 

For the first time, an NCAA Division III bracket is being staged. And while the most prominent program from the DIII ranks (North Central) elected to remain in the all-divisions bracket, this will still be a strong field with several compelling teams/individuals at play.

 

Among the top eight seeds, #1 Wartburg (IA), #2 Simpson (IA), #4 Elmira (NY), #5 Aurora (IL) and #8 Eastern (PA) are all ranked between 13th and 23rd in the most recent NCAA Coaches Poll.

 

They’re also led by some of the highly ranked individuals listed below:

 

  • #5 Emme Hicks (103) – Simpson
  • #3 Zoey Haines (145) – Eastern
  • #4 Zoey Lints (145) – Elmira
  • #4 Rewa Chababo (207) – Wartburg

 

And that doesn’t even include returning national champion Alexis Janiak (Aurora) – who just made her season debut a week ago at the Midlands Women’s Championships.

 

With all the exciting matchups and endless storylines going on in the NCAA (all divisions) and NAIA fields, it could be tempting to overlook this Division III bracket. But a fair warning – do so at your own peril.

 

Because these teams/women are going to add plenty of excitement to the overall wrestling bonanza that we’re set to experience this weekend – and I can’t wait to get to Cedar Falls to watch it all happen in person.