June 21, 2026
NEWARK, N.J. – The Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club put three athletes on the podium at Final X on Friday night, highlighted by Everest Leydecker earning her first Senior World Team berth and Macey Kilty and Reese Larramendy adding runner-up and third-place finishes, respectively.
Leydecker continued her rapid ascent through the international ranks, defeating 2024 World Team member Areana Villaescusa in two straight matches to claim the 55 kg title and secure a spot on Team USA for the 2026 Senior World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The 2025 U20 World champion and incoming University of Iowa freshman won a pair of tightly contested matches, taking the opening bout 2-1 before securing a 3-1 victory in round two. With the win, Leydecker adds a Senior World Team berth to an already impressive 2026 campaign that includes qualifying for both the U20 and U23 World Teams.
At 62 kg, Kilty battled reigning World Team member Adaugo Nwachukwu in one of the most exciting women’s freestyle series of the event.
Nwachukwu claimed the opening match with a pin just before the end of the first period, but Kilty responded with a dominant 4-0 victory in round two to force a decisive third match. The rubber match came down to the final seconds before Nwachukwu secured a narrow 4-3 victory to win the series two matches to one.
Despite falling just short of a World Team berth, Kilty once again demonstrated why she remains one of the nation’s top wrestlers, pushing a returning World Team member to the limit in one of the most competitive series of the tournament.
At 65 kg, Reese Larramendy earned a third-place finish after Emma Bruntil forfeited their placement match. The result gives Larramendy first right of refusal for the U23 World Team spot and adds a spot on the Senior National Team to her growing resume.
Final X Results – Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
55 kg – Everest Leydecker, Champion
• Def. Areana Villaescusa, 2-1
• Def. Areana Villaescusa, 3-1
62 kg – Macey Kilty, Runner-Up
• Lost to Adaugo Nwachukwu by fall, 2:59
• Def. Adaugo Nwachukwu, 4-0
• Lost to Adaugo Nwachukwu, 4-3
65 kg – Reese Larramendy, Third Place
• Won by forfeit over Emma Bruntil
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About the Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club
The Iowa Women’s Wrestling Club provides the coaching, training facilities, and financial support necessary for female athletes to compete for and win Olympic and world championships after completing their collegiate careers.
Many current student-athletes are driven to win NCAA titles, but also to represent Team USA at the top of the podium on an international stage.
IWWC provides these women the opportunity to focus on their training and travel to national and international competitions. In the process, they learn more about themselves and become prepared for a future after competition.
