Nine Cyclones to Compete at Simpson Open

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women's wrestling team will see athletes compete for the first time this season at the Simpson Open over the weekend. Nine student-athletes will be competing unattached across six weight classes.

What: Simpson Open
Where: Indianola, Iowa – Blake Field House
When: Nov. 1, 9 am - 7 pm
Brackets: FloWrestling

ISU ENTRIES
103: Makennah Craft
110: Avy Perez
124: Molly Allen, Tatiana Paragas
131: Gabriella Gomez, Kailey Benson
138: Persaeus Gomez, Brooklyn Perez
145: Greta Brus

PLEASE NOTE
Iowa State student-athletes will be competing unattached from the university during the program's 2026-27 academic year.

BRAND NEW PROGRAM
On April 16, 2026, it was announced that women's wrestling will debut as Iowa State University's 18th intercollegiate athletics program during the 2027-28 academic year. With the addition of women's wrestling, the first sport added at ISU since women's soccer in 1996, the Cyclones will sponsor 18 sports—11 women's teams and seven men's programs. ISU will offer 10 scholarships and have a roster of 30 positions on its inaugural team in 2027-28.

LEADING THE CHARGE
Two-time World Wrestling Championships silver medalist Alli St. John (Ragan) was selected as the first head coach of the Iowa State women's wrestling program. As an undergraduate student at King (Tenn.) University, St. John was a two-time Women's College national champion and a four-time finalist. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from King in 2014. St. John's husband, Derek, is the Associate Head Coach for the men's team.

Joining St. John on the coaching staff are Jake Kadel and Cash Wilcke. Both joined the staff after a three-year stint at William Penn, where they helped lead the Statesmen to three consecutive NAIA top-five finishes.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Iowa State's roster during its ramp-up season currently sits at 17. 13 of the 17 came from the transfer portal, with five following Coaches Kadel and Wilcke from William Penn to Ames. Coach St. John signed four freshmen to her inaugural class, including a pair from Iowa: Greta Brus and Chloe Sanders.

St. John and her staff added seven wrestlers who have earned All-American status at the NAIA level, including four who were NAIA champions.

Jumoke Adekoye (Dickinson State) – 2025, '26 Champion
Makennah Craft (Campbellsville) – 2026 All-American
Anaya Falcon (Life) – 2025 All-American
Piper Fowler (William Penn) – 2026 Champion
Esther Kolawole (William Penn) – 2025, '26 Champion
Christianah Ogunsanya (William Penn) – 2025, '26 Champion
Avy Perez (William Penn) – 2026 All-American

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Players Mentioned

Jumoke Adekoye

Molly Allen

Kailey Benson

Greta Brus

Makennah Craft

Anaya Falcon

Piper Fowler

Gabriella Gomez

Persaeus Gomez

Esther Kolawole

Christianah Ogunsanya

Tatiana Paragas

Avy Perez

Brooklyn Perez

Chloe Sanders

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