Adaugo Nwachukwu had quite a college wrestling career. Now, that phase is over. 

Nwachukwu was named 2024 USA Wrestling College Women’s College Wrestler of the Year following NAIA titles for Iowa Wesleyan in 2022 and 2023 and William Penn in 2024. She is a four-time age-level World teamer, winning bronze at the 2022 U20 Worlds, 2023 US Open champion, and 2023 Final X participant.

The San Jose, California, product will live in Colorado Springs and train with the Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).

“It wasn’t exactly a difficult choice for me to move to Colorado Springs to train full-time with the Army while doing school online,” Nwachukwu said. “I had already won three national titles and the fourth one might be coming sometime in the future, but what I want to achieve right now is above just wrestling and training in college. 

“I think I’m exposing myself to the best possible training partners here,  including the World Class Athlete Program wrestlers, Olympic Training Center wrestlers, and other World/Olympic medalists that come to train in Colorado Springs. I think this is the best opportunity any wrestler can get — especially for women where unique facilities like these are limited.”

Nwachukwu left Nigeria for California in 2018 and found the sport as a sophomore in high school. She won the 2020 California State Championships for Silver Creek High School following an undefeated season. The tournament was canceled in 2021 due to COVID but she found immediate success at Iowa Wesleyan by winning the 2022 NAIA Invitational Championships at 136 pounds as a freshman.

Iowa Wesleyan in Mount Pleasant closed the school after Nwahukwu won her second title. She transferred to William Penn in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she completed her final college season undefeated.