Iowa Signs 2-Time World Medalist Sterling Dias

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sterling Dias, the No. 23 pound-for-pound wrestler nationally and third-ranked 106-pounder, has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Iowa women’s wrestling program, it was announced Friday by head coach Clarissa Chun.

“We are excited to welcome Sterling to our program,” said Chun. “She has a tremendous amount of experience competing at a high level and she will bring a great amount of energy to our room.

“I have known Sterling for a long time through my time at USA Wrestling’s Development program. She is a great person and student and will be a great addition to our team.”

Dias, a native of Las Vegas, will compete at 101 pounds for the Hawkeyes.

She has an impressive list of accolades as she is a past Super 32 Champion, a Cadet World Silver (2019) and bronze (2018) medalist, a two-time Fargo National Champion, where she was the Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2018, a Cadet and Junior Folkstyle Champion (2019) and a two-time Pan American Schoolgirl Champion.

In 2022, Dias won the NIAA All Girls Nevada State Championship at 106 pounds and was the runner-up at the Ayala Women’s Wrestling Invitational. She was also the first female Triple Crown champion in the state of Nevada.

“I chose the University of Iowa because of the endless love and support from the community,” said Dias. “Iowa gives me the opportunity to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.”

Dias 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.)
Sterling Dias (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Nanea Estrella (Makawao, Hawaii)
Brianna Gonzalez (San Lorenza, Calif.)
Emilie Gonzalez (San Lorenza, Calif.)
Reese Larramendy (Reno, Nev.)
Bella Mir (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Ella Schmidt (Bettendorf, Iowa)
Nyla Valencia (Morgan Hill, Calif.)
Kylie Welker (Franksville, Wis.)