No. 15 Simpson set to host NCAA Regional this weekend
INDIANOLA, Iowa – Ranked No. 15 in the latest national rankings, the Simpson College women's wrestling team is set to host the NCAA Region 5 Championships inside Cowles Fieldhouse this weekend.
The Storm garnered 13 points in the most recent NWCA Women's Coaches Poll thanks to two wrestlers in the top 10 of their weight classes. Keeley Kehrli moved up one spot to No. 5 at 160 pounds, while Annelise Obermark reentered the rankings for the first time since early December, checking in at No. 6 in the 145-pound rankings.
Simpson looks to build off last year's regional success, which saw the Storm punch nine tickets to the national tournament. The Storm currently have three wrestlers ranked top 3 in the regional rankings, with seven others just outside the bubble.
NCAA REGION V CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hosted by Simpson College
Friday, Feb. 20 - Saturday, Feb. 21 | 11 a.m. both days
Cowles Fieldhouse | Indianola, Iowa
Live Video | Live Stats
TOURNAMENT FIELD
The tournament field consists of 15 teams, including seven ranked programs. Iowa is the highest-ranked team making its way to Indianola, coming in at No. 1 in the latest NCAA Women's Coaches Tournament Rankings. Three other teams in the top 15 will be present, including No. 9 Quincy, No. 11 Wartburg, and No. 15 Simpson. No. 18 Augustana, No. 23 Wis.-Stevens Point, and No. 25 Dubuque round out the ranked teams.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
In each weight class, the top three wrestlers from the regional tournaments will secure their places in the 2026 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships scheduled for March 6-7 at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. This historic event marks the first official NCAA-sponsored championship for women's wrestling, featuring 10 weight classes with 180 total competitors from Divisions I, II, and III.
LAST YEAR AT REGIONALS
Simpson hosted the NCWWC Region VII Championships and placed third as a team. The Storm had nine wrestlers qualify for nationals, including Gracie Waage (103), Sarah Zimmerman (110), Layla Phillips (110), Ashley Cannon (124), Dionni Garcia-Vasquez (131), Paige Gershmel (138), Annelise Obermark (145), Breanna Wier (160) and Keeley Kehrli (160).
SIMPSON OUTLOOK
The Storm have 10 wrestlers set to compete, including seven who have advanced to the national tournament once in their careers. Keeley Kehrli (160) enters the tournament on a 24-match win streak and with a team-best 28 wins. Layla Phillips (117) is second for the Storm in total victories with 25, while four other wrestlers go into the weekend with 20+ wins, including Annelise Obermark (145) who has won her last 12 matches.
