Blades Names USAW's Women's College Wrestler of the Year

Kennedy Blades, a junior at the University of Iowa, was voted the 2025 winner of the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Award, which goes to the nation’s best college wrestler annually. 

In her first collegiate season with the Hawkeyes, Blades recorded a 25-0 record, which included a 100% bonus rate, 23 technical falls and two pins. She earned the 160-pound title at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the event. Her efforts also helped Iowa claim it’s second-straight national team title.

Blades won a silver medal at 76 kg at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, for Team USA. She is a three-time age-group World medalist, which includes a U20 World gold medal from 2021.

This was first announced on Tuesday afternoon on FloWrestling’s The Bader Show.

“Kennedy, I call her a showstopper. She bring a lot of great energy. She draws a lot of great people to her and does a great job, like being respectful to her opponents…she’s fun because she cares about wanting to put points on the board for her teammates, for the team title.” said Clarissa Chun, University of Iowa head coach.

The award was selected by a vote from three major constituent groups: wrestling journalists, women’s college head coaches and the fans. Each of these groups accounted for one-third of the vote. Blades was voted the winner by all three distinct voting groups to secure the award over seven other finalists, all of whom are college national champions.

Blades carried 11-of-18 first place votes in the journalist voting bloc, 23-of-58 first place votes in the coaches voting bloc, and 30% of the fan vote.

“What a year for Kennedy Blades. From being an Olympic finalist to earning a college national title, it was one of the more dominating seasons in women’s wrestling history. Congratulations to Kennedy on this sensational achievement,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director.

The other finalists, in alphabetical order, were Amani Jones of North Central College, Macey Kilty of the University of Iowa, Esther Kolawole of William Penn University, Sage Mortimer of Grand Valley State University, Christianah Ogunsanyah of William Penn University, Cristelle Rodriguez of Doane University and Kylie Welker of the University of Iowa.

Blades is the third recipient of the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year award. Yelena Makoyed of North Central College was presented the inaugural award in 2023. Adaugo Nwachukwu of William Penn University was last year’s recipient.

Women’s college varsity wrestlers from all of the recognized college organizations were eligible for the award, including NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA/junior college programs. The finalists were selected by a committee overseeing the award program, featuring representatives of the media, college coaches and wrestling fans.

USA Wrestling’s goal is to elevate this award to have the significance and impact as other college athletic awards, such as the Dan Hodge Trophy for men’s college wrestling, the Heisman Trophy for college football, the Hobey Baker Award for men’s college hockey, the Patty Kazmeier Award for women’s college hockey, the Naismith College Player of the Year in men’s and women’s basketball, the Dick Howser Trophy in college baseball, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and similar college awards.

USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Award winners

2025 – Kennedy Blades, junior, University of Iowa

2024 – Adaugo Nwachukwu, junior, William Penn University

2023 – Yelena Makoyed, senior, North Central College