CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) will begin sponsoring women’s wrestling in 2024-25 as the league’s 24th sport, as announced by A-R-C Commissioner Marie Stroman. The A-R-C will become the second NCAA Division III conference to sponsor women’s wrestling.

“I am thrilled that the American Rivers Conference will now sponsor women's wrestling at the championship level,” said Stroman. “The sport supports the conference's purpose by maximizing the number and variety of athletic opportunities, and furthers the equal emphasis for men's and women's sports. With the high interest and growth in women's and girls wrestling in Iowa and Nebraska, the A-R-C will no doubt continue to provide a stage for the best wrestling in the country.”

Six schools will participate in A-R-C women’s wrestling this upcoming academic year with Buena Vista University, Central College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.

On January 20, 2024, the A-R-C hosted an inaugural invitational that featured 52 wrestlers. Five of the A-R-C programs were in their first year of competition, while Simpson was competing for the second year.

At the 2024 NCWWC National Championships, Wartburg finished in 20th, Dubuque in 21st, and Simpson in 25th. Kami Senlycki and Kylie Rule of Wartburg both earned All-American honors.

There has been rapid growth of girls and women’s wrestling in Iowa and Nebraska. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association (IGHSAU) recently announced the expansion to two classes after 204 Iowa high schools sponsored a girls’ wrestling program, and another 61 schools were listed in cooperative sharing agreements in 2024.

“I know I can speak on behalf of the NWCA Board of Directors and our entire membership when I congratulate American Rivers Conference Commissioner, Marie Stroman, and the administrators of all participating colleges and universities for their leadership in sanctioning a conference championship for women’s intercollegiate wrestling,” wrote NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “Their proactive efforts to create more competitive opportunities for women’s wrestling is something that we should all celebrate.”

Women’s wrestling was selected for the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program on August 1, 2020.

The inaugural A-R-C women's wrestling championship will be held on Saturday, January 25 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. More details for the championship will come at a later date.

What the A-R-C is Saying:

"As someone who has spent my entire life involved with wrestling, it is thrilling and gratifying to see the emergence of women's wrestling at the collegiate level. After a constructive first year, I am especially excited to enter official American Rivers Conference competition! This is a vital step in the continued growth of our sport." ~ Paige Storm, Buena Vista University Head Women’s Wrestling Coach

“Simpson was thrilled to launch our inaugural women’s wrestling team in the fall of 2022. After two seasons of growth and success, we're ecstatic that the conference is now adding women’s wrestling as a sponsored sport. This addition will further enhance the reputation of the A-R-C and advance the sport of women’s wrestling." ~ Marty Bell, Simpson College Director of Athletics

About the American Rivers Conference

The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.

American Rivers Conference to sponsor women’s wrestling in 2024-25 as the league’s 24th sport

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