The votes are in and it’s time to announce the winner of the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year. FloWrestling will host a live announcement on The Bader Show at 10:30 a.m. EDT. 

The winner was selected by a vote from three major constituent groups: wrestling journalists, women’s college head coaches, and fans. Each group accounted for one-third of the vote.

The six finalists were all undefeated college nationals champions: NAIA champions Lexi Basham of Texas Wesleyan, Dymond Guilford of the University of the Cumberlands, Adaugo Nwachukwu of Iowa Wesleyan and Peyton Prussin of Life, plus NCWWC champion (NCAA institutions) Marissa Gallegos of Colorado Mesa and Yelena Makoyed of North Central.

USA Wrestling’s Gary Abbott will be on the show to reveal the winner. 

“This is an important moment for women’s wrestling,” Abbott said. “I’m excited about the future of this award. The finalists all had outstanding undefeated seasons and distinguished themselves, not only with their talent and success but also as leaders in the growth of women’s college wrestling.”

The Finalists (Alphabetically)

Lexie Basham, junior, Texas Wesleyan

• 2023 NAIA champion at 130, now 2x NAIA champion

• 18-0 record

• 6 pins and 4 technical falls

• Sooner Athletic Conference champion, Missouri Valley Open champion

• USA Wrestling Senior National Team member

Marissa Gallegos, redshirt junior, Colorado Mesa

• 2023 NCWWC champion at 123

• 28-0 record

• 8 pins and 16 technical falls

• NCWWC Region 5 champion, Maverick Open champion, York Open champion, Bearcat Open champion.

• Second in Bill Farrell International (Senior-level event)

Dymond Guilford, graduate student, University of the Cumberlands

• 2023 NAIA champion at 170, now 3x NAIA champion

• 21-0

• 3 pins and 13 technical falls

• Mid-South Conference champion

• USA Wrestling Senior National Team member

Yelena Makoyed, senior, North Central

• 2023 NCWWC champion at 170, now a 3x NCWWC champion

• 28-0 record

• 15 pins and 11 technical falls

• NCWWC Region 4 Champion, College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Champion, Adrian Open champion, Pointer Open Champion.

• Current USA Wrestling Senior National Team member

Adaugo Nwachukwu, sophomore, Iowa Wesleyan

• 2023 NAIA champion at 136, now 2x NAIA champion

• 31-0 record

• 29 matches were either pin or tech fall

• Heart of America Conference champion

• NAIA Outstanding Wrestler of the Year

Peyton Prussin, senior, Life University

• 2023 NAIA champion at 109, now 3x NAIA champion

• 20-0 record

• 3 pins and 9 technical falls

• Mid-South Conference champion