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

NWCA Release
 
MANHEIM, Pa. (March 24, 2026) – Just days after being named a regional rookie of the year, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) named North Central College women's wrestler Riley Rayome the National Rookie of the Year. Rayome becomes the first honoree in program history and the first-ever recipient of the award as the NWCA introduces its inaugural women's wrestling honors.
 
Rayome's national recognition comes on the heels of an impressive freshman campaign in which she established herself as one of the top competitors at 117 pounds. She finished the season as a national finalist at the inaugural NCAA Championships, earning runner-up honors and All-America honors.
 
Compiling an impressive 27-6 overall record, Rayome totaled 11 pins and nine technical falls throughout the season. She also finished with the fifth-most pins on the team, with her fastest pin coming at the Carthage Classic in 22 seconds.
 
Rayome secured her first regional title at the NWCA Region IV Championships with a perfect 3-0 performance that included one pin and two technical falls. Her success extended across multiple tournaments, claiming individual titles at the Pointer Open and Carthage Classic. She also recorded runner-up finishes at the North Central College Invitational and the Quad Cities D3 National Invite, while placing third at the prestigious Midlands Championships.
 
She helped lead the Cardinals to their fourth consecutive NWCA Region IV Championship, contributed to the program's first-ever NWCA National Duals victory, and was part of the squad that placed third at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships.