Kylie Welker secured the 76 kg gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Coralville, Iowa, adding to a competitive stretch that includes an NCAA national championship under Iowa head coach Clarissa Chun, according to themat.com.
The Iowa City competitor captured the 76 kg gold medal at the Pan American Championships on home soil in Coralville. That performance followed a series of international titles for Welker, including a gold medal at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, and a Senior World bronze medal in Tirana, Albania.
Her international resume features a U20 World Championship gold earned in Ufa, Russia, alongside a bronze at the U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. At the Grand Prix of Spain, Welker secured another gold medal, establishing her dominance across both age-group and senior international brackets.
Collegiate Championship Record at Iowa
Competing for the University of Iowa under head coach Clarissa Chun, Welker claimed the 2026 NCAA national championship. During her redshirt sophomore campaign in 2025, she won the NCWWC championship at 180 pounds, finishing the season with a flawless 27-0 record. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, she captured the NCWWC title at 170 pounds with a 23-1 record.
Her collegiate dominance earned her the 2024 Open Mat NCAA Women’s Wrestler of the Year award. She was also named a finalist for the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year Award in both 2024 and 2025, and received the Golden Boot Award as the outstanding wrestler at the Pan American Championships.
Welker earns titles in domestic selection events
Welker’s path to the senior international stage includes a Senior World Team Trials championship and a championship finish at the U.S. Open. In domestic selection events, she placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and earned a Final X championship title after winning the Final X (True Third) challenge in 2023.
Her progression through the youth ranks began with a U17 World Championship bronze medal in Sofia, Bulgaria. She also claimed gold at the Vorobieyva International Cadet tournament in Russia and medals at the Klippan Lady Cadet Open in Sweden. A graduate of Waterford Union High School in Wisconsin, she also attended Burlington High School and Springs Studio in Colorado while training at the USOPTC, winning Wisconsin high school girls state championships in 2018 and 2019.
Kylie Welker Competition History
| Year | Tournament / Event | Weight Class / Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pan American Championships (Coralville, Iowa) | 76 kg – Gold Medal |
| 2025 | U23 World Championships (Novi Sad, Serbia) | Gold Medal |
| 2024 | Senior World Championships (Tirana, Albania) | Bronze Medal |
| 2024 | NCWWC Championships | 170 lbs – Champion (23-1 record) |
| 2025 | NCWWC Championships | 180 lbs – Champion (27-0 record) |
| 2021 | U20 World Championships (Ufa, Russia) | Gold Medal |
Frequently Asked Questions About Kylie Welker
What weight class does Kylie Welker compete in internationally?
Welker competes internationally at 76 kg. In collegiate competition for the University of Iowa, she has captured titles at 170 and 180 pounds.
Who is Kylie Welker’s collegiate coach?
She wrestles for the University of Iowa under head coach Clarissa Chun. She captured NCWWC individual titles under Chun’s leadership.
What major international medals has Welker won?
Her international achievements include a Senior World bronze medal in Tirana, Albania, a U23 World Championship gold in Novi Sad, Serbia, and a U20 World Championship gold in Ufa, Russia.
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