2024 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship Finals (Full Video)

Event: 2024 NCWWC National Championship FinalsLocation: Alliant Energy PowerhouseOrganizer: FlowrestlingStyle: Freestyle Wrestling (Olympic Style)

Key Highlights:

• Team race was critical, with University of Iowa and North Central University competing for the title.

• Freestyle rules applied, meaning quick point accumulation, exposure-based scoring, and instant pins.

• Many competitors were also competing for Olympic Trials qualification.

• Iowa had a significant presence in the finals, indicating the rapid growth of their women’s wrestling program.

Finals Recap – Match by Match

191 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Sandra Guerrero (New Jersey City University) vs. JC Fowler (Iowa)

Key Moments:

• Guerrero, a three-time All-American, secured a quick 6-0 lead through a leg lace.

• Guerrero pinned Fowler after a strong attack and settled in, capitalizing on her advantage.

• Victory: Sandra Guerrero (NJCU) – 2024 National Champion

• Notable Fact: This was NJCU’s first-ever national championship in program history.

101 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Emily Gonzalez (Iowa) vs. Sterling Diaz (Iowa)

Key Moments:

• Gonzalez dominated the center of the mat, preventing Diaz from getting good positioning.

• Strategic match with heavy hand fighting and counters.

• Gonzalez controlled the match to win 4-0.

• Victory: Emily Gonzalez (Iowa) – 2024 National Champion

• Impact: Helped Iowa in the team title race.

109 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Eva Bay (Iowa) vs. Kalani Shelt (Lock Haven University)

Key Moments:

• Bay attacked aggressively, keeping Shelt from getting into her offense.

• Bay won a key scramble, scoring the final takedown to seal her victory.

• Victory: Eva Bay (Iowa) – 2024 National Champion

• Olympic Trials: Bay qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

116 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Felicity Taylor (Iowa) vs. Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa)

Key Moments:

• Taylor, a 2021 National Champion and U23 World Team member, used aggressive top work to dominate.

• Scored multiple gut wrenches to get an early 9-0 lead.

• Victory: Felicity Taylor (Iowa) – 2024 National Champion

• Olympic Trials: Taylor punched her ticket to the Olympic Trials.

123 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Amani Jones (North Central) vs. Virginia Ford (King University)

Key Moments:

• Jones, a U20 World Medalist, executed a powerful inside trip for a decisive takedown.

• Maintained strong positioning to secure a 3-1 victory.

• Victory: Amani Jones (North Central) – 2024 National Champion

• Impact: Earned crucial team points for North Central.

130 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Cameron Guerin (McKendree) vs. Maria De León (King University)

Key Moments:

• Guerin, a three-time national champion, controlled the pace of the match.

• Used heavy hand ties to slow De León’s offense.

• Victory: Cameron Guerin (McKendree) – 2024 National Champion

• Historic Feat: Became a four-time national champion!

136 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Claire Diuguggo (King University) vs. Yay Aok (North Central)

Key Moments:

• Diuguggo dominated from start to finish, scoring a 10-0 technical fall.

• Her combination of takedowns and counters overwhelmed Aok.

• Victory: Claire Diuguggo (King) – 2024 National Champion

• Olympic Trials: Diuguggo qualified for the Olympic Trials.

143 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Reese Larramendy (Iowa) vs. Anna Drury (King University)

Key Moments:

• Larramendy hit a four-point throw early in the match.

• Drury countered and tied the score, but Larramendy executed a decisive pin.

• Victory: Reese Larramendy (Iowa) – 2024 National Champion

• Olympic Trials: Larramendy qualified for the Olympic Trials.

155 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Marilyn Deede (Iowa) vs. Cheyenne Bowman (King University)

Key Moments:

• Deede dominated with leg laces, scoring multiple points in rapid succession.

• Secured a 9-1 win with superior mat awareness and positioning.

• Victory: Marilyn Deede (Iowa) – 2024 National Champion

• Olympic Trials: Deede secured a spot at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

170 lbs – Championship Match

Matchup:

• Yelena Makoy (North Central) vs. Kylie Welker (Iowa)

Key Moments:

• This match was critical for the team race.

• Welker, a U20 World Champion, dominated with a series of turns and secured the win.

• Victory: Kylie Welker (Iowa) – 2024 National Champion

• Impact: This helped Iowa win the team championship.

Team Championship Results

1. University of Iowa – National Champions

   • Historic win in their first year of competition.

   • Several champions qualified for the Olympic Trials.

2. North Central University – Second Place

   • Strong performance, but Iowa edged them out.

3. King University – Third Place

   • Multiple finalists, but fewer champions.

Key Takeaways

• Women’s college wrestling is exploding in popularity with 96 NCAA schools now offering programs.

• Freestyle wrestling is the Olympic style, with instant pins and big-point moves making a huge difference.

• Iowa’s rapid rise to national dominance shows the impact of a well-supported program.

• Several champions will compete in the Olympic Trials, aiming for the 2024 Paris Olympics.