Nwachukwu Named USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year
Adaugo Nwachukwu (Jr., San Jose, Calif., Exercise Science) was chosen as the best of the best, earning the title of 2024 USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Thursday.
Nwachukwu, who won her third NAIA national title last month (first at William Penn), was picked from a list of eight finalists which also included teammate Mia Palumbo (Jr., Oak Lawn, Ill., Exercise Science).
Voting was done by fans, coaches, and journalists with Nwachukwu winning the journalist category. She claimed 21% of the total vote.
Also a finalist in 2023, she joins Yelena Makoyed of North Central (Ill.) as the only winners of the award.
Nwachukwu went 21-0 this season with all 21 victories coming via bonus points (15 technical falls, six falls), including pinning her way through the NAIA National Championship.
Nwachukwu has also been very successful on both the national and international stage in women’s freestyle. She has competed on three U.S. age-group World Teams, the 2022 U20 World Team, and the 2023 U20 and U23 World Teams. She was a 2022 U20 World bronze medalist, while also being the winner of USA Wrestling national titles at the Senior, U23, and U20 age levels.
“Congratulations to Adaugo for putting together one of the most dominant performances in U.S. women’s college wrestling history this season,” USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender said. “Her future is very bright. She has already had a massive impact on Team USA at the age-group and Senior levels.”
The award was open to collegiate wrestlers from all ranks, including NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA.
