Iowa associate head coach Gary Mayabb pumped his fist in the air when Jaycee Foeller scored one match point off an activity clock violation in the closing moments of the 2024 NWCA National Duals. Foeller lost 6-1 to North Central’s Traeh Haynes but Mayabb was thrilled with the outcome. 

Haynes was placed on the activity clock with 1:30 remaining despite a 2-0 lead. The dual would have been tied 20-20 had Foeller not scored a point and North Central would have prevailed on criteria, the number of matches won (6-4). 

The Hawkeyes won 21-20, taking four matches but scoring team points in all 10. Freestyle dual scoring rewards technical points even if you lose. 

It was a monumental moment that divided the nation. Iowa fans loved the activity clock violation, while the rest of the country cried foul. 

North Central coach Joe Norton is still losing sleep over the loss and decisions he could have made. It might have been the lone opportunity for a Division III wrestling program to take down a Power Four school and, by the looks of it, Iowa is only gaining steam. 

Still, it was a breakthrough moment for the sport. Women’s freestyle wrestling was an afterthought at the NWCA National Duals over 15 years ago. In 2024, it was the main event with fans and wrestlers huddled around the NCAA women’s mat. 

Below is the box score from last year's final with links to every match.

Click here for 2025 National Duals brackets on Trackwrestling. Watch live on FloWrestling on January 10-11 by clicking the below link.

2024 NCAA Women’s National Duals Final
Iowa 21, North Central 20
101: Sterling Dias (Iowa) over Madison Avila (North Central College) TF 11-0
109: Ava Bayless (Iowa) over Jaslynn Gallegos (North Central College) Dec 5-5
116: Sydney Petzinger (North Central College) over Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa) Dec 6-4
123: Amani Jones (North Central College) over Felicity Taylor (Iowa) Dec 12-3
130: Salome Walker (North Central College) over Emily Frost (Iowa) Dec 8-2
136: Yele Aycock (North Central College) over Lilly Luft (Iowa) Dec 6-2
143: Alara Boyd (North Central College) over Reese Larramendy (Iowa) Dec 9-4
155: Marlynne Deede (Iowa) over London Houston (North Central College) Fall 1:38
170: Kylie Welker (Iowa) over Yelena Makoyed (North Central College) Dec 11-3
191: Traeh Haynes (North Central College) over Jaycee Foeller (Iowa) Dec 6-1

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Jaycee Foeller's activity clock point ultimately decided Iowa's 21-20 win over North Central

Battle of the Birds

Could we get more of the same at the 2025 NWCA National Duals?

Top-seeded Iowa and #2 North Central are on a collision course again. The Hawkeyes added 2024 Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades (160) and two-time Senior World silver medalist Macey Kilty (145) to the line-up.

Iowa head coach Clarissa Chun has high-level options at every weight, and will likely flex the team’s depth.

The Hawkeyes are sending Sterling Dias (103), Ava Bayless (110), Emilie Gonzalez (103/110), Val Solorio (110), Brianna Gonzalez (117), Cali Leng (124), Ava Rose (117/124), Emily Frost (131), Emmily Patneaud (131), Nanea Estrella (138), Cadence Diduch (138), Macey Kilty (145), Reese Larramendy (145), Kennedy Blades (160), Kylie Welker (180), Naomi Simon (180), Jaycee Foeller (207) and Alivia White (207) to the National Duals

Kilty might split time with 2024 NCWWC (NCAA) champion Reese Larremendy at 145.

Returning NCWWC champions Ava Bayless (109)  and Emilie Gonzalez (101) could share time with Valarie Solorio at 110 unless Gonzalez moves down to 103 for the first time this season. Rianne Murphy and Sterling Dias have split time at 103 but their availability is questionable after Murphy didn’t participate at Soldier Salute and Dias forfeited to high school star Jaclyn Bouzakis. 

Returning NCWWC champion and 2024 World bronze medalist Kylie Welker might share time with Decorah, Iowa, native Naomi Simon at 180. Don’t be surprised if Iowa uses Simon at 180 and Welker at 207 if things get tight against North Central. 

Or, Iowa could use Larremendy at 145, Kilty at 160, Blades at 180, and Welker at 207. 

Or, Iowa could use Kilty at 145, Larremendy at 160, Blades at 180, and Welker at 207. 

Iowa coaches know that Kilty, Blades, and Welker can win at any weight. And they might prove it in Cedar Falls.  

Does North Central Have Enough To Compete With Iowa?

North Central has looked sharp this season, but do the Cardinals have enough to stand toe-to-toe with the Hawkeyes?

Possible National Duals rematches at 103, 117, and 207 are looming. Kendra Ryan is likely excited about her shot at Iowa after Jaslynn Gallegos got the nod in the 2024 National Duals final. 

Bella Mir finished fifth at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships for Iowa but transferred to North Central. Can she compete with Kilty or Larramendy, her friend and former teammate? 

Returning NCWWC champion and two-time age-level World medalist Amani Jones is a key piece to North Central’s line-up, playing a crucial role in her team moving through the rounds. Returning national champion Maddie Avila is battling Brianne Graves for the starting 103-pound spot, so Norton has two quality options at the same weight.

North Central’s Probables
103: Brianne Graves or Maddie Avila
110: Kendra Ryan or Leeana Mercado
117: Sydney Petzinger or Mikayla Garcia
124: Amani Jones or Janessa George
131: Sara Sterner or Eliana White-Vega
138: Emma Grimm or Taylor Graveman
145: Bella Mir or Sydney Perry or Riley Aamold
160: Tiera Jimerson
180: Shenita Lawson or Brittyn Corbishley
207: Traeh Haynes or Dasia Yearby

The Circle Of Life

Top-seeded Life University is seeking its third National Duals title in four seasons. Head coach Ashley Flavin might have her best and deepest squad, going heads-up with several of the nation’s top teams this season.

The Running Eagles crowned three champions — Anaya Falcon (110), Sarah Savidge (131), and Savannah Isaac (207) — at the recent Soldier Salute in Coralville, with Iowa in attendance. Second-seeded Grand View University will likely be the toughest test for Life, where they would presumably meet in the finals. The McBryde sisters have all reached the NAIA Championship finals at least once, with Jamilah winning last year. 

Life Line-up
103: Kat Hernandez or Brianna Funakoshi
110: Anaya Falcon or Diana Gonzalez
117:  Salyna Shotwell or Jasmine Godinez
124: Anna Krejsa or Ariana Martinez
131: Sarah Savidge or Olivia Mottley
138: Zaynah McBryde or Riley Dalrymple
145: Jamilah McBryde or Christina Jaen
160: Latifah McBryde or Ugochi Anunobi
180: Reka Busa or Maggie Graham or Anetra Witherspoon
207: Savannah Isaac

Will McKendree Use Its Best Line-up?

The Bearcats have been in hibernation this season. Head coach Alexio Garcia has a loaded team but hasn’t used some of his best weapons. NAIA champion Kaylynn Albrecht (160), U23 national champion Tristan Kelly (180), and All-American Lydia Krauss (160) haven’t competed yet, and NAIA finalist Alexis Gomez only wrestled in three matches at the Missouri Valley Invitational before defaulting out of the tournament.

Freshman 103-pounder Gabrielle Tedesco has been a surprise this season, proving she is a legitimate title contender. Sophomore All-American Shelby Moore (124) defeated Jones, 8-5, at last year’s National Duals and will continue to be a key piece of Garcia’s line-up.  

McKendree’s roster moves and line-up will be one of the biggest storylines of the tournament. The Bearcats are seeded fourth and could meet Iowa in the semifinals. 

Does King Have Enough To Take The Crown?

King started the season with a bombshell announcement: long-time head coach Jason Moorman and the university parted ways for undisclosed reasons. The Tornado has a quality team even with noticeable holes in the line-up.

If King gets past Lock Haven in the first round, it will likely have Sacred Heart in the quarters and North Central in the semis. The team has plenty of star power with Samara Chavez (110), Clare Booe (117), Montana DeLawder (124), Aine Drury (145), and Cheyenne Bowman (160). However, the team doesn't have a 180-pounder and national champion Claire DiCugno is sidelined for the weekend. 

National Duals Seeds

The top eight seeds in the NCAA Women's bracket are:
1. Iowa
2. North Central
3. King
4. McKendree
5. Presbyterian
6. Colorado Mesa
7. Elmira
8. Wartburg

The top eight seeds in the NAIA Women's bracket are:
1. Life University
2. Grand View University
3. University of the Cumberlands
4. University of Providence
5. William Penn University
6. Southern Oregon University
7. Indiana Tech
8. Campbellsville University