NJCAA Wrestling Nationals Preview

COUNCIL BLUFFS - For the 11th consecutive year, Iowa Western Community College will host the NJCAA Men's Division I and Division III Wrestling Championships along with the NJCAA Women's National Wrestling Invitational on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, at the Mid-America Center.

Iowa Western will send 24 wrestlers to the two-day event as the Reivers aim to return to the podium in 2026. Under first-year head coach Myranda Velazquez, the women's team returns four All-Americans, including Ayana Fletcher at 145 pounds. The sophomore from Columbus, Georgia, moves down a weight class after capturing the 160-pound national title in 2025 with a victory over Southwestern Oregon's Kiernan Farmer in under two minutes. Sophomore Rosalia Rubio will also look to defend her national championship at 117 pounds after earning a 16–5 victory over Indian Hills' EmmaLyn Burnett in last year's final.

Hailey Medina (third place, 117 pounds), Sara Daley (138 pounds), and Paityn Covolo (160 pounds) also return to the national tournament and will play key roles as the Reivers pursue a team championship after finishing runner-up a season ago.

On the men's side, Iowa Western enters the championships under first-year head coach Brayden Curry. The Reivers return one All-American in Matteo Nikolov at 174 pounds and qualified all 10 weight classes for the national tournament this season. However, the team will be without a competitor at 165 pounds due to an injury following the district qualifying tournament.

Iowa Western will also feature five freshmen at the national championships, including Tony Palmer , who captured the 197-pound title at the North Central District Tournament with a win over defending national champion Andrew Marquez of Indian Hills.

Men's Qualifiers

125 lbs - Noah Jones
133 lbs - Isaac Ekdahl
141 lbs - Hudson Palmer
149 lbs - Logan Crowther
157 lbs - Braxton Peacher
174 lbs - Matteo Nikolov
184 lbs - Cal Wells
197 lbs - Tony Palmer
285 lbs - Kolby Scott

Women's Participants

103 lbs - Amara Ehsa
110 lbs - Baillee Cash, Chevy Coleman
117 lbs - Rosalia Rubio, Hailey Medina
124 lbs - Anastasia Ruka
131 lbs - Vaida Uskilith-Karaja
138 lbs - Sara Daley, HayLee Staker
145 lbs - Ayana Fletcher
160 lbs - Paityn Covolo, Jayna Arrocena
180 lbs - Carson Shank
207 lbs - Audre Herron
235 lbs - Faith Tarrant

Tickets to the event can be found here.

Adult Tournament Pass, $65 for two days
Adult Session Pass, $23 per session
Student Tournament Pass, $45 for two days
Student Session Pass, $18 per session
Children 3 and Under are FREE
Parking in the Mid-America Center lots is FREE

Hotels around the Mid-America Center

Microtel Inn & Suites ✭✭
My Place Hotel-Council Bluffs ✭✭
Hilton Garden Inn Omaha East/Council Bluffs ✭✭✭
Country Inn and Suites By Radisson, Council Bluffs ✭✭✭
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Omaha East/Council Bluffs ✭✭✭
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Council Bluffs ✭✭✭

Restaurants around the Mid-America Center

Big Kels Pizza & Wings $$
Quaker Steak & Lube $$
The Porch $$
Home Team Cookout $$
The Salty Dog Bar & Grill $$
Texas Roadhouse $$$
Jack Binions Steak House $$$$
360 Steakhouse $$$$