After cutting women’s gymnastics earlier this year, Iowa State introduced its 18th varsity program on Friday with women’s wrestling.
The program is slated to begin competing by the 2027-28 season, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard announced at a Friday press conference with the first-ever Cyclones women’s wrestling coach, Alli St. John.
Women’s wrestling officially became the NCAA’s 91st championship sport in January 2025, and Pollard introduced the program on Friday with some of his own feelings about Iowa State’s history with the sport itself.
“We are very – I get emotional thinking about it – what this means for the young women in this state and in this country (who) dream about having opportunities to win national championships, compete on world teams, and maybe win a gold medal,” Pollard said. “This morning, when I walked in Hilton (Colesium), I looked in the rafters and see Glen Brand, Ben Peterson, Dan Gable, Cael Sanderson, Kevin Jackson and Jake Varner, and I think of all the opportunity young men in this state and this country have had to dream about doing that, and the fact that we’re going to now do that for young women is really special.”
St. John, a two-time national champion at King University in Tennessee, following a 10-year career on the world stage representing the U.S. The Illinois native introduced herself during Friday’s press conference below.
Also present were Brent Metcalf, the newly announced coach of the men’s team, and Kevin Dresser, who is transitioning from the men’s coaching role to another role within the program as the “director of wrestling.”
“The addition of women’s wrestling is an exciting opportunity for Iowa State Athletics,” Dresser said in a release. “The fact that it is one of the fastest growing sports at the high school level coupled with the overall love of wrestling in the state of Iowa makes this a very good decision. I can envision the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk dual already and the excitement it will bring to the sport. I am excited to roll up my sleeves and help start another wrestling program.”
As stated in Iowa State’s news release, women’s wrestling will offer 10 scholarships and 30 roster positions by 2027.
