(Iowa City, IA) – The Open Mat has named Iowa women’s wrestler Kylie Welker as their NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year and is a well-deserved honor. Welker was not only part of Iowa’s inaugural season success but demonstrated the success of Hawkeye athletics at the women’s collegiate level.
The Wisconsin native was the top wrestler in her weight class for the season, she had a 23-1 record and recorded a total of 16 tech falls and six pins. Welker even picked up some quality ranked wins, including winning over the former NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year, Yelena Makoyed, and went 4-0 against ranked opponents. She was an integral part in Iowa’s National Duals title and the NCWWC National Team title back in March.
Welker continues to wrestle even after the season after taking fourth place overall at the 2024 Olympic Team Trials at 76kg. She was just recently named to the senior national team for the third time in her wrestling career.
