Who's the top women's wrestler from Iowa ever? VOTE for the best

Who is the best women's wrestler from Iowa?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.

During this process, we will examine athletes in their respective sports. We started with football and men's wrestling, now we'll move to women's wrestling. These are our selections for the wrestlers who defined Iowa. The 10 athletes were all standouts in their youth before reaching even greater heights at the collegiate and international levels, as well as in the coaching ranks.

Vote below on the best of these 10, or even write in a candidate that we overlooked or you feel strongly about.

Athletes listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Emelia Reyes celebrates after winning a Class 2A 235-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Algona’s Reagan Haynes defeated Iowa City West’s Eva Jara to win a Class 2A 190-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

South Tama’s Autumn Elsbury celebrates after securing a Class 2A 170-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Southeast Polk’s Skylar Slade has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 155-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Ankeny’s Jammie Krah celebrates after securing in a Class 2A 145-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Dubuque Hempstead’s Bella Miller has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 135-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Algona’s Ruby Roof celebrates after securing a Class 2A 125-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Calista Rodish hugs assistant coach Rylee Rodish after securing in a Class 2A 140-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Waterloo East's Daniesha Watson has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 130-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Ridge View’s Tegan Robertson celebrates with her coaches after securing a Class 2A 120-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Addison McGinness reacts after securing a Class 2A 115-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Ankeny’s Lauren Watson is lifted by head coach Dustin Roland after defeating Raccoon River-Northwest’s Katie Biscoglia in a Class 2A 110-pound final Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Indianola’s Nora Ohnemus has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 100-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Cassidy McCallister reacts after securing a Class 2A 105-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Gracie Pinckney of Mount Vernon won the Class 1A 170 lb title

Chloe Sanders from Vinton Shellsburg the Class 1A 135 lb champion

Abigail Peterson of Denver celebrates after winning the Class 1A 100 lb title at the Iowa state wrestling meet.

Tayla Stiefel of East Buchanan won the Class 1A 145 lb title

Ainsley Hemann of Osage celebrates after winning the Class 1A 105 lb state championship

Grace Storjohann of AP/GC won the state championship in Class 1A at 125 lbs

Violet Diaz of Denver won the Class 1A 110 lb championship

Lilli Cooper of Denver won the Class 1A 130 lb championship

Brooklyn Graham of East Buchanan claimed the Class 1A 190 lb title

Colbie Tenborg of Saydel is the Class 1A 140 lb champion

Don Bosco's Erica Irvine claimed the Class 1A 120 lb title

Clara Ball of Wapello won the Class 1A 115 lb title

Atlantic's Haley Armstrong claimed the Class 1A 235 lb title.

Greta Brus of Assumption Davenport won the Class 1A 155 lb championship

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See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Emelia Reyes celebrates after winning a Class 2A 235-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

1 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Emelia Reyes celebrates after winning a Class 2A 235-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

2 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Algona’s Reagan Haynes defeated Iowa City West’s Eva Jara to win a Class 2A 190-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

3 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

South Tama’s Autumn Elsbury celebrates after securing a Class 2A 170-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

4 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Southeast Polk’s Skylar Slade has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 155-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

5 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Ankeny’s Jammie Krah celebrates after securing in a Class 2A 145-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

6 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Dubuque Hempstead’s Bella Miller has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 135-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

7 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Algona’s Ruby Roof celebrates after securing a Class 2A 125-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

8 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Calista Rodish hugs assistant coach Rylee Rodish after securing in a Class 2A 140-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

9 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Waterloo East's Daniesha Watson has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 130-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

10 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Ridge View’s Tegan Robertson celebrates with her coaches after securing a Class 2A 120-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

11 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Addison McGinness reacts after securing a Class 2A 115-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

12 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Ankeny’s Lauren Watson is lifted by head coach Dustin Roland after defeating Raccoon River-Northwest’s Katie Biscoglia in a Class 2A 110-pound final Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

13 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Indianola’s Nora Ohnemus has her hand raised after securing a Class 2A 100-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

14 / 28

See top moments from Day 2 of Iowa girls state wrestling tournament

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Cassidy McCallister reacts after securing a Class 2A 105-pound title Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

15 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Gracie Pinckney of Mount Vernon won the Class 1A 170 lb title

16 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Chloe Sanders from Vinton Shellsburg the Class 1A 135 lb champion

17 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Abigail Peterson of Denver celebrates after winning the Class 1A 100 lb title at the Iowa state wrestling meet.

18 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Tayla Stiefel of East Buchanan won the Class 1A 145 lb title

19 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Ainsley Hemann of Osage celebrates after winning the Class 1A 105 lb state championship

20 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Grace Storjohann of AP/GC won the state championship in Class 1A at 125 lbs

21 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Violet Diaz of Denver won the Class 1A 110 lb championship

22 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Lilli Cooper of Denver won the Class 1A 130 lb championship

23 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Brooklyn Graham of East Buchanan claimed the Class 1A 190 lb title

24 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Colbie Tenborg of Saydel is the Class 1A 140 lb champion

25 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Don Bosco's Erica Irvine claimed the Class 1A 120 lb title

26 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Clara Ball of Wapello won the Class 1A 115 lb title

27 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Atlantic's Haley Armstrong claimed the Class 1A 235 lb title.

28 / 28

See the moment 28 Iowa girls wrestlers became state champions

Greta Brus of Assumption Davenport won the Class 1A 155 lb championship

Molly Allen, Riverside

Riverside’s Molly Allen reacts after defeating Harlan Community’s Ellexis Stephens in the Class 1A 125-pound finals at the IGHSAU state wrestling tournament Day 2 Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Allen is the second-ever girl to win four Iowa state titles. She won an Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association title in 2022, the year before the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union sanctioned the sport. From there, Allen went on to win three IGHSAU titles and finish with an unbeaten record at 103-0.

Allen is now at Oklahoma State University, competing for the Cowgirl Wrestling Club.

More: Riverside's Molly Allen becomes second 4-time Iowa girls state wrestling champion

Megan Black, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont

Black competed before girls wrestling exploded in Iowa, but has an impressive resume nonetheless. She was the first-ever Iowa girl to medal at the boys state wrestling tournament in 2012. That same year, she won a Fargo national title. She went on to compete with King and McKendree University in college, where she was a four-time All-American. Black also represented the United States at the U23 World Championships in 2017.

Katie Biscoglia, Raccoon River Wrestling

Raccoon River-Northwest’s Katie Biscoglia blows a kiss to the crowd after defeating Central DeWitt’s Greenley Grell in a Class 2A 110-pound semifinal match Feb. 6, 2026 during the IGHSAU State Wrestling Championship at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Three state titles, four state finals appearances and a 206-2 all-time record, Biscoglia will go down as one of the all-time greats. She only suffered one loss against Iowa competition her entire career and was unbeaten her freshman and sophomore seasons. She is set to begin her collegiate career at Wartburg College this fall.

More: Katie Biscoglia on cusp of Iowa girls high school wrestling history

Ali Gerbracht, AGWSR

AGWSR junior Ali Gerbracht hugs her coach after making state history on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, during the first Iowa girls state wrestling tournament at Waverly-Shell Rock High School in Waverly. After a win at 106-pounds, Gerbracht was the first Iowa high school girl to win on state title on Saturday.

Gerbacht was the first-ever girls state champion at AGWSR. She was a two-time IWCOA state finalist in her career. She now serves as head coach of Cedar Falls girls wrestling, one of the best high school programs nationwide.

Lilly Luft, Charles City

Iowa’s Lilly Luft reacts after winning her 138-pound match Dec. 7, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Luft was also one of the faces of the movement to sanction girls high school wrestling in Iowa. She was a three-time state champion from Charles City, including a 40-0 senior season to win an IGHSAU title. She is currently at the University of Iowa, where she is a two-time collegiate All-American.

More: Lilly Luft, Iowa women's wrestling prepare for NCAA Championships

Ella Schmit, Bettendorf

Iowa’s Ella Schmit waves to fans after defeating Lehigh’s Kryssceah Ravenelle in a 138-pound match Jan. 18, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

A four-time finalist and three-time state champion, Schmit was another trailblazer to get girls high school wrestling sanctioned in the state. All of her state titles and finals appearances came during the IWCOA era, but her success continued at Iowa. She was a 2024 All-American for the Hawkeyes.

Schmit recently accepted a position at Dowling Catholic, where she will lead the Maroons girls wrestling program.

More: Dowling Catholic taps Hawkeye Ella Schmit to lead future of girls wrestling

Naomi Simon, Decorah

Decorah's Naomi Simon smiles as Dan Gable puts the gold medal around her neck Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at the Dan Gable Donnybrook wrestling tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Simon will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of the sport. She's among those who helped spark the sanctioning of girls wrestling in Iowa and earned a ton of wins along the way.

She was Iowa's first girls four-time state champion, going 130-0 in her high school career before going to the University of Iowa. Simon became a National College Women's Wrestling Championship All-American as a true freshman and has since won a U20 World Championship bronze medal, with much of her career still to come.

More: Decorah's Naomi Simon becomes first four-time state champion in Iowa girls wrestling history

Felicity Taylor, South Winneshiek

Iowa’s Felicity Taylor, right, signs a heart to the crowd after winning the 116-pound championship Saturday, March 9, 2024 during the NCWWCs at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Taylor began her career at South Winneshiek High School, winning two state titles before heading to college. She started her college career at McKendree, where she was a four-time All-American and a two-time collegiate champion. She spent her final season of eligibility at Iowa, where she won a national title and helped propel the Hawkeyes to a team title as well.

Taylor is also accomplished internationally as a 2025 Senior World Team member for the United States, as well as competing at the U23 World Championships in 2019 and 2022.

More: Iowa women's wrestling clinches first team national title, defeats North Central

Reanah Utterback, Sigourney-Keota

Sigourney-Keota’s Reanah Utterback defeated Don Bosco’s Erica Irvine in the Class 1A 115-pound finals at the IGHSAU state wrestling tournament Day 2 Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Utterback was the second girl to ever earn a medal at the boys state tournament. She also won three state titles while in high school, only falling short of four championships since she opted to wrestle in the boys tournament in 2023. Utterback is now competing at William Penn University.

More: A team of five: Sigourney-Keota girls wrestling embracing the fun of program's first season

Rachel Watters, Ballard

Rachel Watters wrestles at 68 kg during the third session of the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

Watters was a four-year varsity member of the Ballard boys wrestling team and accomplished a lot internationally. She was a two-time member of the United States' U23 World team and U20 World team. She also won a Pan-American Championship silver medal in 2019.

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at@EMcKown23.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Vote for Iowa's greatest women's wrestler of all-time