D3 Independent Women's Wrestling

Coaches React To NCAA Women's Championship Proposal

Coaches React To NCAA Women's Championship Proposal

Hear from NCAA women's college coaches about the NCAA's proposed championship structure for next season.

May 7, 2025 by Kyle Klingman
Coaches React To NCAA Women's Championship Proposal

The NCAA recently made its recommendation for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships. The committee suggested that the Championships include 21 qualifiers per weight (210 total) and a maximum of one qualifier per school. 

Click here to read the full report.

This starkly contrasts the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, which included 32 wrestlers per weight (320 total) and a maximum of 15 qualifiers per team. 

The committee also recommends seven regionals, with three wrestlers per region qualifying for the NCAA Championships. 

All three Divisions (I, II, and III) currently compete at the NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships. Below is a breakdown by division. 

Below are head coaches’ thoughts from every NCAA division. 

Joe Jamison, Ursinus, D3

The rationale that 210 qualifiers will account for the continued growth of the sport is illogical, considering we currently have 320. The recommendation also makes comparisons to the men's D2 and D3 bracket sizes with relation to number of programs, but conveniently leaves off D1, which has 330 qualifiers with about 80 teams.

Having 210 qualifiers just isn't enough and all but ensures that D3 will split off as soon as possible, which is unfortunate. I think 240 is the perfect number. I love where women's wrestling is at right now, and everyone competing at the highest level is exciting. This is about equitable access to a championship. Division III has two-thirds of the teams, yet is at a competitive disadvantage with no athletic scholarships, different rules with regard to when we are allowed to train, and fewer resources. 

As coaches, that's up to us to figure out, but we also need opportunities, not to have them taken away. I don't see any reason why D3 would stay if we could just get our own 16-person bracket in a fair playing field and provide a championship experience for our student-athletes.

Travis Mercado, Colorado Mesa, D2

I like the proposed NCAA Championship format. While it may look like a step backward with fewer qualifiers at the national championship, it is actually a big step forward for women's wrestling. 

To have a championship hosted by the NCAA was the main goal when we became an emerging sport and we collectively have done that. With that comes the NCAA covering travel and hotels during our trip, and I cannot wait for that experience for our student-athletes.

I know some are disappointed in the reduction of individual athletes a team can bring to regionals. I knew that it was likely coming down the pipeline. This will allow new teams to build with athletes going to these programs so that they, too, can have a chance to be a national champion.

Joe Norton, North Central, D3

Personally, I would like to see us at 240 qualifiers. That was something that our Leadership Group had in mind last year when we pushed the NCWWC to 320 qualifiers from eight regionals. We hoped they would see how deep and how strong our tournament is, and just how much that was warranted. 

I think we all understand that our committee is doing their absolute best to fight for us, but it’s disappointing that we are going into it knowing that asking for 240 is too much. Many will argue that we should get 330 like the Division I men’s championship has, but we need to understand that apples are not oranges, and we need to earn our way to where they are in terms of viewership, attendance, and revenue. 

I’ve been a part of this fight for years on the men’s Division III side, and the understanding is that we need to continue to grow our numbers and push the envelope with the NCAA. So let’s get to work.

Desiree Ramos, William Jewell, D2

I think it’s awesome for the sport. I think it’s the next step in growing our sport and our sport becoming more competitive. Hopefully, this will spread the teams out and the athletes can individually get the attention they deserve and develop. If the athletes develop, competition increases and we have everyone working harder day in and day out.

Jake Short, Grand Valley State, D2

I have had the opportunity to coach in two different environments. One was at Augsburg, where I was really pushing for only 10 qualifiers per team. I would feel very comfortable if we stayed at 12-15 qualifiers now that I’m at Grand Valley State. 

I feel that overall, it potentially could help spread out the talent but I don’t necessarily know if we are ready for that yet. I think being at Grand Valley has opened my eyes to the experience that can be given to student-athletes.

I can see pros and cons to both sides, but regardless of what happens, we need enough programs that can provide student-athletes with a great experience so we can continue to develop athletes, then bring on the change. If you cannot provide that experience, then you will have some of the top athletes in the country either sitting on the bench or at an institution that will not be able to give the experience that the student-athlete deserves.

This decision should have been made a month ago. Kids are running out of time and opportunities are going to be taken away. Either change it or don’t, but make a decision.

Brian Vutianitis, Presbyterian, D1

I can definitely appreciate the proposed NCAA format, although I would love to see a few more qualifying spots. Having 21 wrestlers from over 90 schools is a tough sell when we know the depth our sport has created over the last two years alone on the NCAA side. I would like to see that number hit 24, then at least they can give a bye to the top 8 seeds, and everyone else can wrestle into the tournament. It will continue to incentivize the importance of the regular season.

Jake Wozniak, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, D3

I’m hopeful that seven regionals, with the top three at each, qualifying for the NCAA tournament, is approved. There are at least 21 wrestlers at each weight class deserving of representing their school and finishing their season on the biggest stage.

I am not in favor of only allowing one wrestler from each team per weight class in the postseason. Extreme weight cuts are the ugliest part of our sport and can have costly consequences for women. Fifteen qualifiers allow more women to wrestle the best weight class for them. One wrestler per weight encourages more women to wrestle out of the weight class that is healthiest for them to find a spot in the lineup.

More than anything, I’m excited that the best wrestlers and teams in our sport will be able to finally call themselves NCAA champions.

Frank Yattoni, Lindenwood, D1

I think it benefits some schools and hurts others. A smaller national tournament is a little disappointing, but it is what it is. We’ll adjust and adapt and continue to build.