Four-time WCWA national champion Kayla Miracle of Campbellsville. Photo courtesy of Campbellsville Athletics.

While women’s college varsity wrestling is growing quickly across the nation at all levels, many people may not know that women’s college wrestling goes back more than a quarter of a century in the United States. There have also been women’s college national tournaments ever since 2004.

Early women’s college pioneers wrestled on their men’s teams. The first women’s college varsity program was UM-Morris, which started the program in 1993-1994. Early programs such as Missouri Valley College, the University of the Cumberlands, Menlo College, Pacific University and others competed against each other, against Canadian college teams and also on the USA Wrestling national circuit.

The first women’s college varsity nationals was held in 2004 at Missouri Valley College, and continued annually until 2010, when they formed the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA), with their first event held at Oklahoma City University. College programs at every level were invited, including NCAA, NAIA and junior college. The WCWA continued annually through 2020.

The first division to split off to its own tournament was the NAIA, which gave women’s wrestling Invitational Status, and created the NAIA Women’s Invitational in 2019, held at Jamestown University. The first NCAA-only national tournament, the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) was created in 2020, held at Adrian College. The NCAA has now given Emerging Sport Status to women’s wrestling.

A group of junior colleges with varsity programs created the Junior College National Championships (JCNC), created in 2021 at Umpqua CC.

There were four four-time WCWA individual national champions, with Victoria Anthony of Simon Fraser and Helen Maroulis of Simon Fraser reaching that level in 2014. Emily Webster of Oklahoma City was next in 2015, and Kayla Miracle of Campbellsville won her fourth in 2018.

The NAIA Invitational and the NCWWC enter their third championships, with events in March. (The NAIA Invitational was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19). The JCNC had their second tournament this year in February.

There are no two-time NAIA national champions to date. There are three two-time NCWWC national champions so far among NCAA schools, Emily Shilson of Augsburg, Emma Bruntil of McKendree and Sydnee Kimber of McKendree. (Shilson has three college titles, because she also won the 2020 WCWA crown). There are also three JCNC champions: Heaven-Leigh Jackson of Indian Hills CC, Krista Warren of Southwestern Oregon CC and Avery Ackerman of Big Bend CC.

There are currently over 110 women’s college varsity programs at all levels, although some have yet to host their first official season. The goal is for all the organizations (the NAIA, the NCAA, the NJCAA) to someday soon have official national tournaments in women’s wrestling. Stay tuned.

Check out this list of past women’s college national champion athletes and teams.

NCWWC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (NCAA schools)

2021 NCWWC Nationals
At Tiffin, Ohio, hosted by Tiffin University
101 - Angelina Gomez (Emmanuel)
109 - Emily Shilson (Augsburg)
116 - Felicity Taylor (McKendree)
123 - Cheyenne Sisenstein (King)
130 - Cameron Guerin (McKendree)
136 - Brenda Reyna (McKendree)
143 - Emma Bruntil (McKendree)
155 - Alara Boyd (McKendree)
170 - Yelena Makoyed (North Central)
191 - Sydnee Kimber (McKendree)
Team Champions – McKendree

2020 NCWWC Nationals
At Adrian, Mich., hosted by Adrian College
101 - Pauline Granados (McKendree)
109 - Emily Shilson (Augsburg)
116 - Karla Godinez Gonzalez (Simon Fraser)
123 - Alexandra Hedrick (Simon Fraser)
130 - Alexia Ward (McKendree)
136 - Emma Bruntil (McKendree)
143 - Ana Godinez Gonzalez (Simon Fraser)
155 - Alexandria Glaude (McKendree)
170 - Jessika Rottier (UW-Stevens Point)
191 - Sydnee Kimber (McKendree)
Team Champions – McKendree

Two-time NCWWC champions (3)
Emily Shilson, Augsburg (2020, 2021)
Emma Bruntil, McKendree (2020, 2021)
Sydnee Kimber, McKendree (2020, 2021)

NCWWC team champions
McKendree, 2 (2020, 2021)

NAIA NATIONAL INVITATIONAL (NAIA schools)

2021 NAIA National Invitational
At Jamestown, N.D.
101 - Nina Pham (Wayland Baptist)
109 - McKayla Campbell (Campbellsville)
116 - Peyton Prussin (Life)
123 - Jasmine Hernandez (Lyon)
130 - Bridgette Duty (Cumberlands)
136 - Desiree Zavala (Wayland Baptist)
143 - Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp (Midland)
155 - Sienna Ramirez (Southern Oregon)
170 - Jordan Nelson (Life)
191- Nkechinyere Nwankwo (Oklahoma City)
Team Champions – Campbellsville

2020 – Event cancelled due to COVID-19

2019 NAIA National Invitational
At Jamestown, N.D.
101 - Asia Ray (Wayland Baptist)
109 - Alleida Martinez (Menlo College)
116 - Jathiya Isaac (Wayland Baptist)
123 - Tiana Jackson (Menlo College)
130 - Andribeth Rivera (Campbellsville)
136 - Solin Piearcy (Menlo College)
143 - Marilyn Garcia (Menlo College)
155 - Iman Kazem (Menlo College)
170 - Dymond Guilford (Missouri Baptist)
191 - Paige Baynes (Wayland Baptist)
Team Champion - Menlo College

Two-time NAIA champions
None

NAIA team champions
Campbellsville (2021)
Menlo College (2019)

JUNIOR COLLEGE NATIONALS (JCWC) (Junior colleges)

2022 JCNC Nationals
At Roseburg, Ore., hosted by Umpqua CC
101 - Mya Turnmire (Indian Hills CC)
109 - Kennedy Shrophire (Indian Hills CC)
116 - Heaven-Leigh Jackson (Indian Hills CC)
123 - Dallas Gomez (Grays Harbor College)
130 - Victoria Baez-Dillone (Umpqua CC)
136 - Alondra- Rosado Martinez (Indian Hills CC)
143 - Krista Warren (Southwestern Oregon CC)
155 - Avery Ackerman (Big Bend CC)
170 - Yarissa Gallo (Iowa Western CC)
191 - Kiley Hubby (Big Bend CC)
235 - Raina Herzog (Umpqua CC)
Team Champions - Indian Hills Community College

2021 JCNC Nationals
At Roseburg, Ore., hosted by Umpqua CC
101- Madison Shearer (Umpqua CC)
109 - Heaven-Leigh Jackson (Indian Hills CC)
116- Marissa Ritchie (Southwestern Oregon CC)
123 - Chloe Clemons (Indian Hills CC)
130 - Cora Orton (Big Bend CC)
136 - Aliyah Yates (Big Bend CC)
143 - Krista Warren (Southwestern Oregon CC)
155 - Jennifer Tongi (Grays Harbor College)
170 - Avery Ackerman (Big Bend CC)
191- Sofia Rubio (Indian Hills CC)
235 - Quinn Lacy (Grays Harbor College)
Team Champions - Indian Hills Community College

Two-time JCNC champions (3)
Heaven-Leigh Jackson, Indian Hills CC (2021, 2022)
Krista Warren, Southwestern Oregon CC (2021, 2022)
Avery Ackerman, Big Bend CC (2021, 2022)

JCNC Team champions
Indian Hills CC, 2 (2021, 2022)

WOMEN’S COLLEGE NATIONALS/WCWA NATIONALS (all divisions)

2020 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held in Marietta, Ga., hosted by Life University
101 - Esthela Trevino (Umpqua)
109 - Emily Shilson (Augsburg)
116 - Jaslynn Gallegos (Presbyterian)
123 - Julia Vidallon (Life)
130 -Abigail Nette (Campbellsville)
136 - Zoe Nowicki (Adrian)
143 - Morgan Norris (Presbyterian)
155 - Rachel Watters (Oklahoma City)
170 - Mariah Harris (Campbellsville)
191 - Alexandra Castillo (Campbellsville)
Team champion - Campbellsville

2019 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held in Marietta, Ga., hosted by Life University
101 - Asia Ray (Wayland Baptist)
109 - Alleida Martinez (Menlo)
116 - Gracie Figueroa (Menlo)
123 - Dominique Parrish (Simon Fraser)
130 - Abby Nette (Emmanuel)
136 - Solin Piearcy (Menlo)
143 - Jayden Laurent (Lakeland)
155 - Alexandria Glaude (McKendree)
170 - Dymond Guilford (Missouri Baptist)
191 - Destane Garrick (McKendree)
Team Champions – Menlo College

2018 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Oklahoma City Univ., Oklahoma City, Okla.
101 - Regina Doi (King)
109 - Cody Pfau (Emmanuel)
116 - Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser)
123 - Dominique Parrish (Simon Fraser)
130 - Grace Bullen (Campbellsville)
136 - Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville)
143 - Mallory Velte (Simon Fraser)
155 - Niauni Hill (Lindenwood-Belleville)
170 - Brittany Marshall (Wayland Baptist)
191 - Paige Baynes (Grays Harbor)
Team Champions - Campbellsville

2017 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Oklahoma City Univ., Oklahoma City, Okla.
101 - Marina Doi (King)
109 - Breonnah Neal (King)
116 - Haley Augello (King)
123 - Andribeth Rivera (Campbellsville)
130 - Cheyenne Youngblood (Missouri Baptist)
136 - Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville)
143 - Mallory Velte (Simon Fraser)
155 - Tamyra Mensah (Wayland Baptist)
170 - Jessika Rottier (Cumberlands)
191 - Payten Smith (Simon Fraser)
Team Champions – King University

2016 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Oklahoma City Univ., Oklahoma City, Okla.
101 - Marina Doi (King)
109 - Cody Pfau (Oklahoma City)
116 - Samantha Klingel (King)
123 - Becka Leathers (Oklahoma City)
130 - Natalia Hinojo (Oklahoma City)
136 - Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville)
143 - Mallory Velte (Simon Fraser)
155 - Forrest Molinari (King)
170 - Victoria Francis (Lindenwood)
191 - Tiara Scott (Campbellsville)
Team Champions – King University

2015 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Missouri Baptist Univ., St. Louis, Mo.
101 - Emily Webster (Oklahoma City)
109 - Cody Pfau (Oklahoma City)
116 - Haley Augello (King Univ.)
123 - Sarah Hildebrandt (King Univ.)
130 - Jacarra Winchester (Missouri Valley)
136 - Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville)
143 - Amanda Hendey (King Univ.)
155 - Julia Salata (King Univ.)
170 - Victoria Francis (Lindenwood)
191 - Tiara Scott (Campbellsville)
Team Champions – King University

2014 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis, Mo.
101 - Emily Webster (Oklahoma City)
109 - Victoria Anthony (Simon Fraser)
116 - Haley Augello (King University)
123 - Sarah Hildebrandt (King University)
130 - Helen Maroulis (Simon Fraser)
136 - Alli Ragan (King University)
143 - Tamyra Mensah (Wayland Baptist)
155 - Julia Salata (King University)
170 - Justina DiStasio (Simon Fraser)
191 - Jenna Mclatchy (Simon Fraser)
Team Champions - King University

2013 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at King College, Bristol, Tenn.
101 - Emily Webster (Oklahoma City)
109 - Victoria Anthony (Simon Fraser)
116 - Joey Miller (Oklahoma City)
123 - Kat Perez (King College)
130 - Helen Maroulis (Simon Fraser)
136 - Alli Ragan (King College)
143 - Sidney Morrison (Simon Fraser)
155 - Danielle Lappage (Simon Fraser)
170 - Justina DiStasio (Simon Fraser)
191 - Jenna McLatchy (Simon Fraser)
Team Champions – Simon Fraser

2012 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at King College, Bristol, Tenn.
101 - Emily Webster (Oklahoma City)
109 - Emily Martin (King College)
116 - Joey Miller (Oklahoma City)
123 - Michaela Hutchison (Oklahoma City)
130 - Shauna Isbell (Lindenwood)
136 - Krista Revelle (King College)
143 - Jennifer Page (Oklahoma City)
155 - Kristie Davis (Oklahoma City)
170 - Justina Distasio (Simon Fraser)
191 - Brittany Delgado (Oklahoma City)
Team Champions - Oklahoma City

2011 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held At Menlo College, Atherton, Calif.
44 kg/97 lbs. - Nicole Woody (Oklahoma City)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Victoria Anthony (Simon Fraser)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Gabrielle Henry (Univ. of Cumberlands)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Helen Maroulis (Simon Fraser)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Ashley Hudson (Oklahoma City)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Danielle Lappage (Simon Fraser)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Kristie Davis (Oklahoma City)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Mei Ling Keiki (Missouri Baptist)
80 kg/176 lbs. - Brittany Delgado (Oklahoma City)
90 kg/198 lbs. - Marina Lambert (King College)
Team Champions – Oklahoma City University

2010 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Missouri Valley College, Marshall, Mo.
44 kg/97 lbs. - Stephanie Waters (Oklahoma City)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Victoria Anthony (Simon Fraser)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Katherine Fulp-Allen (Menlo College)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Michaela Hutchinson (Oklahoma City)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Helen Maroulis (Missouri Baptist)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Danielle Lappage (Simon Fraser)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Amberlee Montgomery (Oklahoma City)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Lauren Knight (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
82 kg/180.25 lbs. - Hillary Greening (Simon Fraser)
95 kg/209 lbs. - Brittany Delgado (Oklahoma City)
Team Champions - Oklahoma City

2009 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Missouri Valley College, Marshall, Mo.
44 kg/97 lbs. - Ashley Shannon (Cumberlands)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Ashley McKilligan (Simon Fraser)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Katherine Fulp-Allen (Menlo)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Michaela Hutchison (Oklahoma City)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Tani Ader (Jamestown)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Tessa Plana (Oklahoma City)
67 kg/147.5 lbs.- Stefenie Shaw (Oklahoma City)
72 kg/158.5 lbs.- Taylor Dick (Simon Fraser)
82 kg/180.25 lbs. - Hillary Greening (Simon Fraser)
95 kg/209 lbs. - Lakia Henderson (Cumberlands)
Team Champions – Oklahoma City University

2008 WCWA Women’s College Nationals
Held at Oklahoma City Univ., Oklahoma City, Okla.
44 kg/97 lbs. - Melissa Girard (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Sadie Kaneda (USOEC/Northern Michigan)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jessica Medina (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sandy Do (Univ. of Cumberlands)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Kelsey Campbell (Arizona State)
63 kg/138.75 lbs.- Briana Conway (Oklahoma City)
67 kg/147.5 lbs.- Amberlee Ebert (Missouri Valley College)
72 kg/158.5 lbs.- Melissa Simmons (Oklahoma City)
82 kg/180.5 lbs. - Carrie Clark (Oklahoma City)
95 kg/209 lbs. - Theresa Fennell (Univ. of Cumberlands)
Team Champions –Univ. of the Cumberlands

2007 Women’s College Nationals
Held at Pacific Univ., Forest Grove, Ore.
48 kg/105.5 lbs - Jackie Stiles (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Sara Fulp-Allen (Menlo College)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sarah Peasley (Cabrillo JC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Othella Lucas (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Kelsey Campbell (Arizona State)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Alaina Berube (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Bethany Harris (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
82 kg/181 lbs. - Elizabeth Hernandez (Missouri Valley)
Team Champions – The University of the Cumberlands

2006 Women’s College Nationals
Held at the Univ. of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Ky.
48 kg/105.5 lbs - Tabitha Ramsey (Missouri Valley)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jessica Medina (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sharlee Solis (Missouri Valley College)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Othella Lucas (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Alaina Berube (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Heather Martin (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stephanie Lee (Missouri Valley College)
80 kg/176 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery (Univ. of the Cumberlands)
Team Champions – The University of the Cumberlands

2005 Women’s College Nationals
Held at Menlo College, Atherton, Calif.
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Sara Fulp-Allen (Menlo)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Kapua Torres (Pacific)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Erica Chew (Missouri Valley)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Brooke Bogren (Missouri Valley)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Rachel Billerbeck (Missouri Valley)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Kelly Branham (Missouri Valley)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Brittany Jones (Missouri Valley)
80 kg/176 lbs. – Selina Perez (Missouri Valley)
Team Champions - Missouri Valley College

2004 Women’s College Nationals
Held at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo.
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Sara Fulp-Allen (Menlo College)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Debbi Sakai (Missouri Valley)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Desiree Lockhart (Pacific)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Brooke Bogren (Missouri Valley)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Mollie Keith (Missouri Valley)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Alaina Berube (Cumberland College)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Kelly Branham (Missouri Valley)
80 kg/176 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery (Cumberland College)
Team Champions – Missouri Valley College

Four-time individual champions (4)
Helen Maroulis, Missouri Baptist/Simon Fraser (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)
Victoria Anthony, Simon Fraser (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014)
Emily Webster, Oklahoma City Univ. (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Kayla Miracle, Campbellsville (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)

Three-time individual champions (9)
Sara Fulp-Allen, Menlo College (2004, 2005, 2007)
Alaina Berube, Univ. of the Cumberlands (2004, 2006, 2007)
Michaela Hutchison, Oklahoma City Univ. (2009, 2010, 2012)
Brittany Delgado, Oklahoma City Univ. (2010, 2011, 2012)
Danielle Lappage, Simon Fraser (2010, 2011, 2013)
Justina Distasio, Simon Fraser (2012, 2013, 2014)
Haley Augello, King Univ. (2014, 2015, 2017)
Mallory Velte, Simon Fraser (2016, 2017, 2018)
Cody Pfau, Oklahoma City/Emmanuel (2015, 2016, 2018)

Two-time individual champions (18)
Brooke Bogren, Missouri Valley College (2004, 2005)
Kelly Branham, Missouri Valley College (2004, 2005)
Toccara Montgomery, Univ. of the Cumberlands (2004, 2006)
Othella Lucas, Univ. of the Cumberlands (2006, 2007)
Jessica Medina, Univ. of the Cumberlands (2006, 2008)
Kelsey Campbell, Arizona State (2007, 2008)
Katherine Fulp-Allen, Menlo College (2009, 2010)
Hillary Greening, Simon Fraser (2009, 2010)
Kristie Davis, Oklahoma City Univ. (2011, 2012)
Joey Miller, Oklahoma City Univ. (2012, 2013)
Alli Ragan, King Univ. (2013, 2014)
Jenna Mclatchy, Simon Fraser, (2013, 2014)
Sarah Hildebrandt, King Univ. (2014, 2015)
Julia Salata, King Univ. (2014, 2015)
Victoria Francis, Lindenwood (2015, 2016)
Tiara Scott, Campbellsville (2015, 2016)
Tamyra Mensah, Wayland Baptist (2014, 2017)
Marina Doi, King Univ. (2016, 2017)
Dominique Parrish, Simon Fraser (2018, 2019)
Abigail Nette, Emmanuel/Campbellsville (2019, 2020)

Women’s College Team Champions (7)
Oklahoma City, 4 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
King Univ. 4 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Univ. of the Cumberlands, 3 (2006, 2007, 2008)
Missouri Valley College 2 (2004, 2005)
Campbellsville, 2 (2018, 2019)
Simon Fraser, 1 (2013)
Menlo College, 1 (2019)

Women’s History Month: U.S. women’s college history, with a list of all national champion athletes and teams

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