Whiting Named Midwest Recipient of Excellence Award

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa women’s wrestling commit Taylor Whiting was awarded the Midwest Region Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

A native of Oconto, Wisconsin, Whiting earned the prestigious honor, which recognizes the nation’s top high school senior female wrestlers for excellence in wrestling, academics, citizenship and community service.

Whiting is a member of the 2026 U20 World Team at 53 kg and will compete at the U20 World Championships alongside fellow incoming freshman Everest Leydecker. She is also a four-time Wisconsin state champion and compiled a 69-1 career record at Lena High School. On the national level, she won a Junior Nationals title in 2024 and placed third in 2025, while also finishing third at the Women’s Nationals in 2024 and 2025. She added a seventh-place finish at the 16U Nationals in 2023.

In the classroom, Whiting is the valedictorian of her class, a member of the National Honor Society and a student council representative. She is also active in her community, leading youth wrestling training sessions.

Incoming Iowa freshman Leydecker (Arizona) and Madison Nieuwenhuis (Michigan) were also recognized as state winners.

The national recipient of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award will be announced on April 28.