Iowa State Women’s Wrestling Signs Five

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women's wrestling program and head coach Alli St. John have announced the signings of five prospective athletes. Emma Bacon, Christina Estrada, Bella Miller, Ella Poalillo and Landri Von Gonten all made it official on this week.

"We're really excited to welcome this group to the Cyclone family," said St. John. "We've put together a group of proven competitors who know what it takes to win, and who own an impressive list of accomplishments on the mat. Each one of these women will make both an immediate impact in our room and in our lineup, helping us continue to build something special here at Iowa State."

As a reminder, the Iowa State women's wrestling program is currently in a ramp-up season with official action set to begin during the 2027-28 school year. All four signees are set to arrive on campus over the summer and be part of the inaugural season.

Emma Bacon – Naples, Fla. | Bishop McCort HS (Pa.)
Coached by Bill Bassett and Jim Beach, Bacon has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments during her prep career. She's a three-time Junior Nationals Fargo Champion (2023, '25, '26) and a three-time USA Wrestling Girls National High School Recruiting Showcase Champion (2024-26). She competed on the U17 World Team in Athens and was a U17 Pan-American champion in 2025. Bacon was also an Ironman champ in 2024. Her father, Butch Bacon, competed both as an amateur and professional MMA fighter from 2000-13.

Christina Estrada – Clovis, Calif. | Buchanan HS
A two-time California state champion (2025, '26) and three-time placewinner, Estrada becomes the third wrestler from the Golden State to join the Cyclone program. She has held the number one national ranking at 100, 105 and 110 pounds in her prep career, having success both at the high school and national level. In 2025, Estrada placed second at the U17 Women's Nationals, third at the U.S. Open and was a Junior Nationals Fargo All-American (third place). In 2026, Estrada's national accolades kept pouring in, as she finished third at both the U20 and U23s before claiming her second Super 32 title.

Bella Miller – Dubuque, Iowa | Dubuque Hempstead HS
The lone Iowa native of the class, Miller was a four-year varsity wrestler with Dubuque Hempstead and a two-time team captain. Miller claimed a pair of state titles (2024, '26) and placed third as a sophomore during her prep career. There's familiarity between Miller and the Cyclone program, as she was coached by Alli St. John at Big Game Wrestling Club. She owns a 72-2 high school record, having gone a perfect 30-0 during her junior campaign. Miller was the 2026 USA Wrestling Girls National High School Recruiting Showcase Champion at 135 pounds.

Ella Poalillo – Wantage, N.J. | Valiant College Prep (Ariz.)
Poalillo had a standout 2025, as she was a U17 World bronze medalist as well as a U17 Pan-American gold medalist. She was also a 2025 U17 World Team Trials Champion and a Super 32 champ. This past year, at the U20 World Team Trials, she claimed a bronze medal. Over the past two years, she won consecutive Beast of the East titles. She is a three-time New Jersey state champion. Across three years of high school wrestling, Poalillo boasts a 100-3 record.

Landri Von Gonten – College Station, Texas | The Woodlands College Park HS
A standout from the Lone Star State, Von Gonten is chasing her fourth consecutive Texas state title this spring. She owns both a U17 World silver medal and a Pan-American gold medal. Von Gonten claimed a pair of Who's Number One titles while also earning a Junior Nationals Fargo All-American crown in 2025. In 2026, she was named the UIL Conference 6A Girls Most Outstanding Wrestler in Texas and finished her Super 32 run as runner-up. Heading into her senior season, Von Gonten owns a high school record of 119-4.

Iowa State University Athletics

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