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11 Hawkeyes Named NWCA Scholar All-Americans11 Hawkeyes Named NWCA Scholar All-Americans
Stephen Mally
Women's Wrestling

11 Hawkeyes Named NWCA Scholar All-Americans

Eleven University of Iowa women’s wrestling student-athletes have been named a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American, it was announced Tuesday by the NWCA.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Eleven University of Iowa women’s wrestling student-athletes have been named a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American, it was announced Tuesday by the NWCA.

Iowa’s honorees include Ava Bayless, Kennedy Blades, Cadence Diduch, Emilie Gonzalez, Macey Kilty, Cali Leng, Rianne Murphy, Katja Osteen, Emmily Patneaud, Naomi Simon and Kylie Welker. 

This award recognizes outstanding student-athletes who excel in both academics and athletics. Student-athletes must meet one of the following academic and athletic criteria: A top eight placer at nationals and at least a 3.0 Cumulative GPA, competed in a minimum of 15 matches that are recorded and has at least a 3.5 Cumulative GPA, or was a national qualifier and has at least a 3.25 Cumulative GPA

Bayless, Gonzalez and Welker have earned this honor for the second straight year. 

On the mat each of these student-athletes helped the Hawkeyes to two national team titles and a 19-0 record in dual competition in the 2024-25 season. Most recently Iowa captured the 2025 NCWWC National Championship. 

Blades, Kilty and Welker each won individual national titles and earned NCWWC all-American honors. Bayless, Gonzalez, Leng, Murphy, Patneaud and Simon each earned all-American honors as well.