Nashville, Tenn. - Last week at the NCAA Convention, it was announced the women's wrestling was added as the 91^st championship sport, providing another athletics opportunity for female athletes to compete at the NCAA Divisions I, II and III levels.

"We are really happy for our young women to have the opportunity to compete on the highest stage of college athletics," said VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Coomer.  "This has been a long time coming and a historic moment for the sport of women's wrestling."

Women's wrestling now advances from the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, where it has been since 2020, to become a national collegiate championship, featuring female student-athletes from all three divisions competing against one another. The NCAA's first women's wrestling championship will be held in 2026.

"We are thrilled that women's wrestling will be an NCAA sport, making it the 91st championship that we host," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. "We extend a big thank you to everyone who supported this effort and the athletes, coaches and fans for their passion for a fast-growing and exciting sport that brings even more opportunities for women to participate in athletics."

There were 76 women's wrestling programs at NCAA schools in 2023-24, During the 2024-25 there were projections to add 17 additional programs bringing the number up to 93. More than 1,200 women wrestlers are competing at NCAA schools today. The sport is also diverse. At least 45% of the student-athletes competing are of diverse or international backgrounds.

"It is exciting to see the hard work and dedication of these young women get recognized and receive the nod from the NCAA," said Lindenwood women's wrestling head coach Frank Yattoni. "We are looking forward to continued growth through the visibility of being an NCAA Championship Sport."

The Lindenwood women's wrestling team is currently ranked No. 7 in the country and has a total of 59 All-Americans and three National Championships in their program history.  The Lions will host the NCWWC Region VI Tournament inside Hyland Arena on Sunday, February 23.