Iowa State to add women’s wrestling as varsity sport beginning in 2027-28

Women’s wrestling is coming to Iowa State.

The Cyclones announced Thursday that the university will be adding a varsity women’s wrestling program as its 18th sport. Alli St. John, a former two-time silver medalist at the World Wrestling Championships, will be the team’s head coach when it debuts in the 2027-28 season.

"Iowa State enjoys a rich wrestling tradition, and we believe the addition of women's wrestling will afford tremendous opportunities for young women not only in Iowa, but around the country, to compete at the highest level in the sport," Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. "This is a great day for wrestling in the state of Iowa and at Iowa State University, and we look forward to growing a program under Alli St. John that will build off the historic success of our men's team."

The addition of women’s wrestling at Iowa State comes less than two months after the school made the abrupt decision to eliminate its women’s gymnastics program because of what Pollard described as "unreconcilable differences" within the team. Iowa State canceled the remainder of the season for the sport on Feb. 8 because it didn't have enough athletes to compete. Iowa State’s handling of the end of its women’s gymnastics program caused fear in its athletes and frustration from alumni. Former coaches and gymnasts complained that the practice facility was unsafe and outdated.

Pollard told reporters Thursday that Beyer Hall, where gymnastics practices were held, will be repurposed for wrestling.

Iowa State has denied USA TODAY Sports Network's public-records requests for the findings of the university's 2018 and 2023 gymnastics probes.

"I also want to say, this is not a financial decision. This is a student-athlete experience decision," Pollard said in a video published March 3 of Iowa State cutting women’s gymnastics. "Adding another women’s sport will probably cost equal or more than what we’re already spending on the gymnastics program. This is about student-athlete experience."

The NCAA this season held a women’s wrestling tournament for the first time ever, hosting the championship bouts in Coralville, Iowa. Women’s wrestling spent five years in the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program before graduating to championship status.

This past season, more than 112 programs across all NCAA divisions competed in women’s wrestling at the varsity level, including six at the Division I level. Iowa was the only Power 4 program that competed. Kent State and Mercyhurst will launch programs next season, bringing the number of Division I participants up to eight, then nine when Iowa State begins competition.

Other Division I schools with women’s wrestling teams include Lehigh, Delaware State, Lindenwood, Presbyterian and Sacred Heart. At the high school level, 218 Iowa high schools sponsor women's wrestling.

Women’s wrestling is the first team Iowa State has added since women’s soccer in 1996. The Cyclones will offer 10 scholarships and have a roster of 30 positions on its inaugural team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa State replaces gymnastics program with women's wrestling