Even though Iowa women’s wrestling has advanced to a level that few programs ever reach, it still seems like the Hawkeyes are just getting started. Iowa enters the new season not just as the favorite but as the benchmark that everyone else is aiming for after winning back-to-back national titles. That fact was only reaffirmed last year. All 15 of the Hawkeyes’ wrestlers were named All-Americans, and the team won three individual national titles. Iowa had another perfect dual meet season, going undefeated for the second time in a row. With the majority of that roster back, the program is well on its way to winning three straight dual campaigns.
Clarissa Chun, the head coach, is at the core of this ongoing dominance. Chun, who is starting her third season in charge of the program, has made Iowa women’s wrestling a real force. Her influence has been evident right away. Not only has Iowa won under her leadership, but it has done so with depth, consistency, and a culture that continues to draw the nation’s top players. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Iowa’s rise is that depth. Every weight class is represented among the Hawkeyes, and several elite wrestlers frequently push one another in the room on a daily basis. Over the course of a long season, it’s the kind of internal competition that sharpens a team and distinguishes winners from contenders.
Chun and her team made a significant move over the weekend to guarantee Iowa’s long-term supremacy. The top pound-for-pound wrestler in the 2026 recruiting class committed to the Hawkeyes, which shocked the women’s wrestling community. Everest Leydecker, the top overall recruit, has committed to Iowa, according to Ross Bartachek of IAwrestle. The significance of that choice is difficult to exaggerate. Not only is Leydecker the best wrestler in her class, but many assessors think she’s the best wrestler in the sport at the moment, regardless of age.
Leydecker, who is only 17 years old, has already achieved things that most wrestlers can only imagine. She represented the United States at 55 kilograms and won a gold medal at the U20 World Championships this summer, taking first place on the podium. It was a pivotal moment that validated insiders’ long-held belief that Leydecker is unique. There was more to her dominance than that. Leydecker had an incredible run throughout the spring, defeating several senior-level Team USA players as well as a back-to-back national champion. These victories weren’t lucky breaks or close calls. They were declarations made with a poise and maturity well beyond her years.
When Leydecker gets to Iowa City, the Hawkeye Report predicts that she will compete at either 120 or 131 pounds, two weight classes that are already brimming with talent. That fact says a lot about how embarrassing Iowa’s wealth has become. Leydecker is expected to contribute to the conversation right away, even in a room full of professional wrestlers. She may already be on par with, or even better than, a large portion of the current roster. Leydecker may be among Iowa’s top wrestlers at the moment, according to the Hawkeye Report, which is an astounding conclusion given that the Hawkeyes have just won another national championship.
Particularly in a program that is renowned for having very high standards, such recognition is not given lightly. However, Leydecker’s resume supports it. She competes with the assurance of someone who anticipates victory each time she takes the mat, and she blends technical accuracy with unrelenting speed. This commitment goes beyond simply bringing in another top wrestler for Iowa. It indicates that the program’s momentum won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Chun and her team have created something that appeals to the best in the sport, and Leydecker’s choice is more evidence that Iowa City has emerged as the premier location for women’s wrestling.
Leydecker will join a program that is already used to pressure, high standards, and championship hopes. Nevertheless, she possesses the ability to have an instant impact, challenging teammates, elevating expectations, and assisting Iowa in maintaining its competitive edge. Acquiring the nation’s best pound-for-pound recruit feels more like the next logical step for a team striving for history and consistent excellence than a bonus. Women’s wrestling in Iowa isn’t just winning right now. The Hawkeyes are preparing to win for years to come with the arrival of Everest Leydecker.
