IOWA CITY, Iowa – Ava Bayless has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Iowa women’s wrestling program, it was announced Thursday by head coach Clarissa Chun. Bayless is the No. 12 ranked recruit nationally at 112 pounds.
“Ava is a silent, hard worker who goes about her business,” said Chun. “I have been around her at various overseas and domestic camps at development age groups with USA Wrestling. She is a good student, a great person and comes from a family of wrestlers. I am excited to get the opportunity to work with Ava again.”
The Greenville, Pennsylvania, native is a two-time GIRLS National Prep Wrestling champion and a National Prep All-American at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania.
“I chose to attend the University of Iowa because of the academic and athletic opportunities. There is no better place to become the best wrestler I can be than under Coach Clarissa Chun and the support of the Iowa Hawkeye fans, community, and University. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this historic team!”
Ava Bayless
“I chose to attend the University of Iowa because of the academic and athletic opportunities,” said Bayless. “There is no better place to become the best wrestler I can be than under Coach Clarissa Chun and the support of the Iowa Hawkeye fans, community, and University. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this historic team!”
Bayless competed at the 2018 and 2019 Cadet World Team Trials, finishing second in 2018 and third in 2019. She also wrestled at Cadet Fargo both years, placing second in 2018 and sixth in 2019.
In 2019, Bayless won the Flatz Open in Austria and Tallinn Open in Estonia and earned a bronze at the Vorobyeva Cup in Russia. She was also runner-up at the Super 32 and earned National Team status.
Bayless was a member of the UWW Junior National Team in 2020 (finishing third) and she placed fourth at the 2021 Junior World Team Trials, fifth at 2021 Junior Fargo and seventh at the 2021 U23 World Team Trials.
Prior to attending Wyoming Seminary, Bayless won seven straight Pennsylvania Girls’ State Junior Championships and qualified for the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State Tournament.
Bayless is a teammate of fellow Hawkeye commit, Reese Larramendy.
Bayless will compete unattached in 2022-23. Iowa announced in September 2021 it would become the first Division I Power Five school to add women’s wrestling. The Hawkeyes begin competing in 2023-24.
2022 Signing Class
Ava Bayless (Greenville, Penn.)
Nanea Estrella (Makawao, Hawaii)
Brianna Gonzalez (San Lorenza, Calif.)
Emilie Gonzalez (San Lorenza, Calif.)
Reese Larramendy (Reno, Nev.)
Ella Schmidt (Bettendorf, Iowa)
Nyla Valencia (Morgan Hill, Calif.)
Kylie Welker (Franksville, Wis.)
