The accolades continue to pour in for Iowa Women's Wrestling. For the second consecutive season, the Hawkeyes went undefeated in dual competition (19-0), outscoring their opponents 718-114. Iowa also picked up wins against 11 ranked opponents.
During their only two seasons as a program, the Hawkeyes are 35-0 in dual meets.
A large part of the continued success for the Hawkeyes is due to their head coach, Clarissa Chun. Chun was an accomplished wrestler before being named as the first coach for the newly created Iowa Women's wrestling program in 2021.
Chun is a two-time Olympian, taking fifth place at the 2008 Beijing Games and winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games. During her storied 18-year career at the senior level, Chun won five U.S. Open titles, four gold medals at the Pan American Games, and was a runner-up at four U.S. team trials.
On May 1, Chun earned more recognition after guiding the Hawkeyes to success.
Chun was named the 2024 USA Wrestling Women's Coach of the Year for the second-straight season. During Iowa's inaugural season (2023-2024), the Hawkeyes finished a perfect 16-0 in dual competitions, en route to capturing their first team National Championship.
In their first season, the Hawkeyes crowned six individual champions, had 12 All-Americans, and sent nine wrestlers to the 2024 Olympic trials. Chun also guided three wrestlers to success on the international stage.
Graduate student Macey Kilty earned the bronze medal in the 65 Kg weight class at the 2024 Senior World Championships, and a silver medal in the 62 Kg weight class at the 2024 Under-23 World Championships.
Sophomore Kylie Welker earned a gold medal in the 72 Kg weight class at the Under-23 World Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2024 World Senior Championships.
In September 2024, freshman Naomi Simon won a bronze medal at the Under-20 World Championships.
The Hawkeyes' success continued in Chun's second season at the helm. Iowa won its second consecutive National Duals and Team titles, and crowned three individual champions. All 15 Hawkeye wrestlers also earned All-American status.
Chun has had incredible success as the leader of the Hawkeyes and aims to continue that success in year three.