AMES — Iowa State heavyweight Yonger Bastida was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, the league office announced prior to last weekend’s NCAA Championships. Bastida is the second Cyclone to be recognized as Big 12 Wrestler of the Year since the award was introduced in 2016, following the footsteps laid by David Carr in 2021.

Bastida, a two-time Big 12 Conference champion, finished with a 29-1 record in his senior campaign after falling to North Carolina State’s Isaac Trumble, 5-0, in the national championship match Saturday in Cleveland.

Bastida led the country with 17 technical falls this season and closes his career with a record of 104-23.

Iowa’s Welker named NCAA Region V Wrestler of the Year

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa women’s wrestler Kylie Welker has been named the NCAA Region V Wrestler of the Year following a dominant 2026 season at 180 pounds.

The redshirt junior finished a perfect 21-0, recording 15 technical falls and four pins. Welker secured her NCAA berth by winning the Region V title with four bonus-point victories, including a ranked win over No. 9 Kara Kuge.

Welker capped her season with an NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship — her third consecutive national title title (2024-2026). She earned bonus-point wins in all four matches, defeating No. 2 Destiny Rodriguez of McKendree by major decision in the finals, 11-0.

Iowa State to play in 2026 Women’s Champions Classic

NEW YORK — The Iowa State women’s basketball team is one of four programs selected to participate in the Women’s Champions Classic (WCC).

The WCC is a premier, annual early-season women’s college basketball showcase. The event will return Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, and is scheduled to tip off in primetime on FOX. The Cyclones are set for a 2025 NCAA Tournament rematch with No. 8 Michigan as part of the doubleheader with No. 14 Maryland and No. 1 UConn.

“Iowa State is honored to be a part of one of the most prestigious women’s basketball events in the country,” said head coach Bill Fennelly. “To play Michigan, one of the best teams in the country, at Barclays Center is a special opportunity for our players.”

Iowa State secured its 19th 20-win season in 2025-26 and is one of 15 NCAA Division I women’s basketball programs to appear in each of the last six NCAA Tournaments.

The Cyclones own 23 NCAA Tournament appearances all-time, all under Fennelly, as well as six Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights. Juniors Audi Crooks and Jada Williams earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors while classmate Arianna Jackson was named the 2025-26 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.