2026 A-R-C CHAMPIONSHIPS | Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21
Cowles Fieldhouse | Indianola, Iowa | Simpson
WATCH ($) | LIVE RESULTS | NCAA REGION V INFORMATION
The No. 11-ranked Wartburg College women's wrestling team (10-2) makes history this weekend as it competes in the NCAA's inaugural women's wrestling regional, taking the mat at the 2026 NCAA Region V Championships on Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21. Competition begins at 11 a.m. inside Cowles Fieldhouse on the campus of Simpson College.
In each weight class, the top three finishers will earn automatic qualification to the 2026 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships, slated for March 6–7 at Xtream Arena. The national tournament will mark the first official NCAA-sponsored championship for women's wrestling, featuring 10 weight classes and 180 total competitors across Divisions I, II, and III.
While this weekend represents a new era under the NCAA banner, Wartburg enters familiar territory at Simpson after finishing second at last season's NCWWC Regional Championships with 128 team points, trailing only the University of Iowa.
The Knights qualified eight wrestlers for nationals a season ago, with seven returning to the postseason lineup in 2026: Carissa Hersom, Jasmine Luedtke, Kylie Rule, Aniyah Kelly, May Prado, Ellie Poulette, and Rewa Chababo.
Wartburg heads into the historic regional ranked No. 11 in the latest NWCA tournament rankings. Four Knights sit inside the top 10 individually, while nine wrestlers are ranked among the top 20 nationally by Open Mat, positioning Wartburg as a contender as NCAA postseason competition begins.
REGION V PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Augsburg, Augustana, Buena Vista, Carthage, Central, Cornell, Dubuque, Iowa, Luther, Quincy, Simpson, Upper Iowa, Wartburg, UW-Oshkosk, UW-Stevens Point.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets can be purchased on-site inside Cowles Fieldhouse. There are no advance ticket sales. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Daily admission rates:
• Adults: $15
• Seniors (65 and up) and Children: $5
• Children 5 and younger: Free
Doors will open one hour prior to the competition. Spectators should enter Cowles Fieldhouse from D Street (west entrance).
NATIONAL STATUS – NWCA
103 – Chloe Sheffield (#7)
110 – Afftynn Stusse (#9)
138 – Kylie Rule (#8)
207 – Rewa Chababo (#6)
WEEKLY A-R-C HONORS
Afftynn Stusse – Nov. 10
Aniyah Kelly – Jan. 12
Jasmine Luedtke – Jan. 19
A-R-C WOMEN'S WRESTLING PRESEASON POLL
1. Wartburg - 35 (5)
2. Simpson - 29 (1)
3. Univ. of Dubuque - 27 (1)
4. Buena Vista - 20
5. Central - 16
6. Loras - 12
7. Luther - 8
