Top high school girls are sending a clear message through their actions: We are blazing a trail. 

How else can you explain ranked wrestlers committing to Division I programs without a sanctioned women’s wrestling team? Lehigh and Oklahoma State have club teams, of course, but that’s a far cry from competing at the NCAA or NAIA Championships. 

This is a consistent trend for a sport where women have set their own direction.

Gigi Bragg opted out of the Minnesota girls’ high school season to compete against the boys. She recently committed to Oklahoma State.

Audrey Jimenez won this year’s US Open after winning the 2024 Arizona boys’ high school state championships. She’s a freshman at Lehigh and competes for the club team. 

Calli Gilcrisht, ranked #3 at 120 pounds, will attend Brown University. Wrestling in the Ivy League was a dream since sixth grade, and she made it a reality.

Aubre Krazer is the nation’s top-ranked 130-pounder. The Easton, Pennsylvania, native will join Lehigh coach Brazel Marquez as the team works toward becoming a Division I program. 

“Even if it’s not an official team yet, we’ve all been through that process in high school,” Krazer said. “Growing up, the sport around us has never been official or had that title. It doesn’t matter if someone puts a label on it. Wrestling is a sport. It doesn’t matter if it’s men’s or women’s — it’s the same thing. 

“For a lot of girls, they see the potential and they’re excited to be the first to start these programs and to bring other girls in. It’s cool to be part of something that’s so new and so groundbreaking for women.”

Krazer’s comments are a revelation. 

From the beginning, women have broken barriers. And they are prepared to break a few more. 

Let's Go Clubbin'

Where Are The Power Four Programs?

Iowa is currently the only Power Four school to offer women’s wrestling. Dan Gable lifted the Hawkeyes through the stratosphere, leading the men’s team to 15 NCAA championships and 21 Big 10 titles in 21 seasons (1977-97).

The women's wrestling program has started strong, winning two consecutive National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships. Head coach Clarissa Chun has leveraged the most recognizable college wrestling brand to recruit top talent to Iowa City. 

Their toughest competition has been North Central — a Division III program in Naperville, Illinois, that does not offer athletic scholarships. The Cardinals took the Hawkeyes to the brink at the 2024 national championships, losing by six points during a tournament that came down to the final match. 

As the gap between Iowa and everyone else increases, competitive balance is essential for women’s college wrestling. How long will it take for fans to grow weary of Iowa consistently facing under-resourced and under-funded programs?

“Wrestling has been male-dominated for years, but we needed a boost, and it was women who gave us the boost,” Gable said. “More Division I (women’s programs) should not be a ways away. Iowa has stepped up and taken on a big project and is doing their part, but nobody else is stepping up. 

“Does Oklahoma State have it yet? Does Penn State have it yet? Iowa is the only big name right now. I love North Central and that they’ve been able to compete. I’m on their side. I’m on Iowa’s side. I’m on wrestling’s side. I want to be around for more Division I programs.

“I’m patting the University of Iowa on the back but I’m also patting North Central on the back. North Central is a Division III school and in the future we hope to have more Division I programs.” 

Cowboys On The Cusp?

Lehigh and Tarleton State could be the next schools to add Division I women’s wrestling, but nothing is official yet. That would move the D1 total to seven, with Delaware State, Lindenwood, Presbyterian, and Sacred Heart also offering the sport. 

The Mountain Hawks are loaded and could be competitive with Iowa at multiple weights. Including Jimenez, Marquez secured three members of this year’s U20 World Team. It’s hard to imagine so much talent competing at a club level for four seasons. 

“The club aspect wasn’t a huge deal because the second I took my visit and saw that the girls are actively practicing in the same facilities as the boys’ team,” Lehigh commit Piper Zatechka said. “They have access to the same trainers and the same weight room, which kind of helped me decide that this was a place where women’s wrestling would be accepted.

“I think it will be (Division I). I hope so, at least. The way they are talking about women’s wrestling on campus, we have our sights set pretty high. I don’t think you’d see a team with multiple World team members and national champions where they aren’t on a team where they can test themselves against some of the best.”

Izzak Olejnik oversees the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, but he’s recruiting championship talent. Three ranked girls have committed, with a fourth on the way. 

“It seems like it will be a Division I program,” Bragg said. “The way (the coaches) talked about it, they are planning for it to be (sanctioned) in two years. Once it becomes a program, it’s going to be huge because it’s Oklahoma State.” 

Oklahoma State is the program women’s wrestling desperately needs. The men’s tradition is second to none after winning a record 34 NCAA Championships. The Cowboys have name recognition and a built-in rivalry to take on the Hawkeyes. 

We need an orange domino to fall.

“(Oklahoma State has) hinted that the program is on the rise,” said Kailey Benson, ranked #7 nationally at 130 pounds. “They have all the resources they need to recruit these girls. Once they get a good line-up, they can work toward deciding to go D1. 

“Just like any other program, you look at the coaches and you look at the overall structure. They’re wanting to build something, and the girls are wanting to be part of something bigger. We have to grow women’s wrestling at the college level, and I think these D1 schools are going to bring that growth forward for the sport. This is where we want to be, and we put our trust and time, and effort into building these programs into something bigger.”