Blades, Kilty, Welker Named USA Wrestling Wrestler of the Year Finalists

IOWA CITY, Iowa - University of Iowa women’s wrestlers Kennedy Blades, Macey Kilty and Kylie Welker have been named finalist for the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year award, the organization announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Blades, Kilty and Welker had dominant seasons in the black and gold going a combined 80-0. They were pivotal parts of the Hawkeyes’ second-straight National Duals and NCWWC National Championship team titles in the 2024-25 season.

Coming off her silver medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Blades did not miss a beat in her first collegiate season. Blades finished the 2024-25 season as the NCWWC National Champion at 160 lbs. In a truly dominant fashion, she went 25-0 with all 25 wins coming via fall or technical fall. The Chicago, Illinois, native was named the 2025 NCWWC Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Kilty, a grad student from Stratford, Wisconsin, made the most of her one collegiate season. She capped off her undefeated season with the NCWWC title at 145 lbs. Kilty went 28-0 with 20 tech. falls, three pins and four decisions in the 2024-25 season. 

Welker became the programs first two-time national champion winning the 180 lbs. title. The Franksville, Wisconsin, native had an unprecedented season going 27-0 with 21 tech. falls and six pins. In her 27 matches, Welker did not give up a single point.

This is the third year that this award is presented, and it is the top award in women’s collegiate wrestling.

The award will be selected by a vote from three major constituent groups: wrestling journalists, women’s college head coaches and the fans. Each of these groups will account for one-third of the vote. Fan voting opens today and runs through Sunday April 6 at https://usawrestlingevents.com/wcwoty. The winner of 2024 USA Wrestling’s Women’s College Wrestler of the Year will be announced on FloWrestling on Tuesday, April 8.