by Lily Sherer and Kyle Klingman

The college season is underway and Iowa programs occupy five of the top 10 spots in the women’s college pound-for-pound rankings. William Penn’s Adaugo Nwachukwu retains her #1 spot while her teammate Mia Palumbo is #10.

Second-ranked King University arrived in Marietta, Georgia — and it conquered.

King coach Jason Moorman’s off-season recruiting haul sent a message: Overlook King at your own peril.

There’s a new number one in the pound-for-pound women’s college rankings — and her name is Adaugo Nwachukwu.

Below is a preview of the women’s US Open field based on the latest registration list. There’s always a chance that a quality wrestler enters at the last minute or that a wrestler switches weight, but this offers an overview of the leading contenders at each weight.

The final women’s college pound-for-pound rankings are here following the completion of every national championship (NJCAA, NCWWC, and NAIA). Every wrestler listed reached the finals of her respective national tournament. Historical national placings are listed underneath each wrestler.

Below are the fourth pound-for-pound rankings of the women’s collegiate wrestling season, which includes all divisions. Off-season results from the past year factored into the rankings but those increasingly decrease as championship season draws near.

King University has become a who’s who of domestic women’s freestyle stars lately. Four-time World and Olympic medalist Sarah Hildebrandt went there, as did two-time World silver medal winner Alli Ragan, 2021 World bronze medalist Forrest Molinari, and 2016 Olympian Haley Augello. Current Gannon head coach Breonnah Neal was a national champion for the program, too.

Don’t count out the reigning three-time national collegiate champions just yet.

There was no post-National Duals hangover for King University. The Tornado wreaked havoc on the competition at home following a memorable weekend in Louisville, highlighted by a thrilling 23-21 win over North Central in the finals.

What happens when the top-ranked NAIA wrestler faces the top-ranked NCAA wrestler?

Below are the second pound-for-pound rankings of the women’s collegiate wrestling season, which includes all divisions. Off-season results factored slightly into the rankings but the most recent college results weighed heaviest.

If dramatic finishes are your thing, then King and Southern Oregon delivered must-watch finals at the NWCA National Duals.

Adaugo Nwachukwu's wrestling journey seems nearly impossible. Nwachukwu left Nigeria for California in 2018 and found the sport as a sophomore. She expected rings and ropes but realized quickly that high school wrestling was far different than the theatrics seen on television.