Northwestern College in Orange City has announced it will add women's wrestling as its 23rd varsity sport, with the program set to begin competition in the fall 2026 season — making Northwestern one of the first NAIA institutions in the region to offer the sport at the varsity level.
The decision followed extensive research by college athletics staff into the rapid growth of women's wrestling at both the high school and collegiate levels across Iowa and the nation. Women's wrestling has been among the fastest-growing sports in the country, with increasing participation at the high school level creating a pipeline of prospective collegiate athletes.
Northwestern will begin recruiting for its first head coach in spring 2025, with the goal of having a coaching staff in place well ahead of the 2026–27 inaugural competitive season. The college plans to build the program from the ground up, establishing a roster, training facilities, and a competitive schedule.
Northwestern College competes in the NAIA and is a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. The addition of women's wrestling reflects the college's commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for students and responding to the evolving landscape of collegiate sports.
The announcement was welcomed by the Orange City community and the broader Northwestern athletics family, with officials expressing confidence that the program will attract talented student-athletes from across the region.