IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s wrestler Kylie Welker was named The Open Mat’s 2024 NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year, the organization announced Monday.
Welker, a sophomore had a 23-1 record in the Iowa’s inaugural season. She recorded 16 technical falls and six pins in the 2023-24 season. She was the 2024 NCWWC Region V and National Champion at 170 lbs.
The Franksville, Wisconsin, native was the top ranked wrestler in her weight class for the entire 2023-24 season. Welker was 4-0 against ranked opponents and picked up two wins over The Open Mat’s 2023 NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year Yelena Makoyed of North Central. Welker’s wins over Makoyed helped secure Iowa’s National Duals title in January and the NCWWC national team title in March.
Welker recently finished in fourth place at the 2024 Olympic Team Trials at 76kg which earned her a spot on the senior national team for the third time in her wrestling career.