Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Associate Director of Athletics Communications, 630-637-5302

NWCA Release
 
MANHEIM, Pa. (March 20, 2026) – Bella Mir and Riley Rayome of the North Central College women's wrestling team continue to make history this season as the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced its inaugural NCAA Regional Wrestler of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards. Mir was named Region IV Wrestler of the Year, while Rayome earned Region IV Rookie of the Year honors.

Mir and Rayome both contributed to the Cardinals' Region IV Championship title, the program's fourth straight, before helping North Central to a third-place team finish at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships earlier this month.
 
Mir earned the distinction after claiming her first NCAA title at 145 pounds, defeating Reese Larramendy of the University of Iowa with the first pin in an NCAA women's wrestling national final. She finished the season with a 15-1 record, including 12 wins by technical fall. Mir also claimed her second straight 145-pound regional title and helped lead North Central to its first NWCA National Duals team championship.
 
Rayome's Regional Rookie of the Year award is the latest accolade of her standout freshman campaign. She capped her season as a national finalist at 117 pounds, finishing as runner-up to earn All-America honors at the NCAA Championships. Rayome compiled a 27-6 record, recording 11 pins and nine technical falls. She also secured her first regional championship with a 3-0 performance that included one pin and two technical falls.
 
The NWCA will announce the NCAA Women's National Wrestler of the Year and National Rookie of the Year next week.