IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sam Calkins 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. She will wrestle at 191 pounds for the Hawkeyes.
“Sam is a strong, athletic girl with a lot of experience in the sport,” said Chun. “I have only heard great things from her coaches, many of who I have trained, wrestled and competed with. She’s a great person and student-athlete and I am excited to have her join our program.”
The Brentwood, California, native is considered the No. 16 overall recruit in the country by USA Wrestling. She is the No. 1-ranked recruit nationally at 200 pounds.
“After visiting other colleges throughout the last year, when I visited Iowa, it felt the most like home. I loved the family environment as well as all that Iowa offers its student-athletes, so they not only succeed in school, but it sets them up for after graduation. Coach Chun was one of the main reasons why I chose the school because I felt that she would help me grow the most as a wrestler and person, while helping me obtain my goals.”
Sam Calkins
“After visiting other colleges throughout the last year, when I visited Iowa, it felt the most like home,” said Calkins. “I loved the family environment as well as all that Iowa offers its student-athletes, so they not only succeed in school, but it sets them up for after graduation.
“Coach Chun was one of the main reasons why I chose the school because I felt that she would help me grow the most as a wrestler and person, while helping me obtain my goals.”
Calkins prepped at Liberty High School, where she won a California state title this past season after going 29-0. She finished her high school career with a 101-20 record.
The two-time team MVP was a three-time sectional champion and a two-time conference champion. She placed in the top 12 at the state meet as a freshman and seventh as a sophomore. There was no state meet during her junior season.
Calkins is a two-time Fargo All-American, winning both the Junior Folkstyle Nationals and Junior Freestyle National championships last season. She finished third at Fargo Cadets in 2019.
Calkins 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.)
Sam Calkins (Brentwood, Calif.)
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.)