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Iowa State adds women’s wrestling program; Alli St. John to serve as first head coach

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Updated: April 16, 2026

Editor’s Note: Brent Metcalf has been elevated to head coach of the ISU men’s program, while Kevin Dresser will shift into a director of wrestling position to oversee both programs. 

AMES, Iowa – Women’s wrestling will debut as Iowa State University’s 18th intercollegiate athletics program during the 2027-28 academic year, Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced today.

“Iowa State enjoys a rich wrestling tradition, and we believe the addition of women’s wrestling will afford tremendous opportunities for young women not only in Iowa, but around the country, to compete at the highest level in the sport,” Pollard said. “This is a great day for wrestling in the state of Iowa and at Iowa State University, and we look forward to growing a program under Coach Alli St. John that will build off the historic success of our men’s team.

“As we considered future opportunities for female athletes, it became clear that women’s wrestling offered Iowa State University the best combination of strategic fit, start-up efficiency and growth potential,” he added. “Women’s wrestling is recognized as one of the nation’s fastest growing sports at both the high school and collegiate level, and we are excited to help grow the sport for future generations of young women.”

Identified as an emerging sport in 2020 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for all three divisions, the NCAA held its first national championship in the sport last month in Coralville, Iowa. Currently, there are 113 NCAA members that sponsor wrestling as a varsity sport, including six at the Division I level—Iowa, Lehigh, Delaware State, Lindenwood, Presbyterian and Sacred Heart with Kent State having announced plans to begin a program in 2027-28. Within the state of Iowa, there are 15 universities and colleges that currently sponsor the sport.

“Women’s wrestling has been an Olympic sport since 2004 and is the fastest-growing sport for young women in our nation,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director upon the announcement that the sport would become the NCAA’s 91st championship in 2026.

At the high school level, 218 Iowa high schools sponsor women’s wrestling and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union held its fourth state championship meet in February 2026 and will add a state dual meet championship next year. Every state that is contiguous to Iowa offers a state tournament in the sport at the high school level and nationally, 8,100 high schools sponsored the sport for 74,064 female student-athletes according to the 2024-25 National Federation of High Schools annual athletics participation summary.

“The addition of women’s wrestling is an exciting opportunity for Iowa State Athletics,” ISU Director of Wrestling Kevin Dresser said. “The fact that it is one of the fastest growing sports at the high school level coupled with the overall love of wrestling in the state of Iowa makes this a very good decision. I can envision the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk dual already and the excitement it will bring to the sport. I am excited to roll up my sleeves and help start another wrestling program.”

With the addition of women’s wrestling, the first sport added at ISU since women’s soccer in 1996, the Cyclones will sponsor 18 sports—11 women’s teams and seven men’s programs. ISU will offer 10 scholarships and have a roster of 30 positions on its inaugural team in 2027-28.

Women’s Wrestling Sport Sponsorship Timeline:
June 2020 — Women’s wrestling added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, giving the sport formal recognition and a pathway toward future championship status.

October 2023 — The sport surpassed the threshold of 40 schools sponsoring varsity programs.

February 7, 2024 — The NCAA’s Committee on Women’s Athletics officially recommended that all three NCAA divisions sponsor legislation to elevate women’s wrestling from emerging sport to full championship status.

January 17, 2025 — Women’s wrestling officially became the NCAA’s 91st championship sport.

March 7, 2026 — McKendree wins first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

April 16, 2026—Iowa State University announces women’s wrestling as its 18th intercollegiate athletics program and names two-time World Wrestling Championship silver medalist Alli St. John (Ragan) as the program’s first head coach.