Iowa State University Athletics
ISU Women Sign U17 World Champion Piper Fowler as First Wrestler
05.14.2026 | Wrestling (W)
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women's wrestling team signed its first student-athlete in program history Tuesday morning, inking William Penn transfer Piper Fowler, a 2023 U17 World Champion, 2026 NAIA national champion and 2026 U20 World Team member.
"Today is a historic day for Iowa State women's wrestling signing our first student-athlete" head coach Alli St. John said. "As we have started to build out our roster, we made it a goal to bring in high-character women who strive to be NCAA and World Champions. Piper certainly fits that mold, and we are thrilled that she believes in our vision and has chosen to pursue her dreams as a Cyclone."
Fowler brings a long list of wrestling credentials with her to Ames on both the collegiate and international levels. Last season at William Penn, she posted a 31-4 record en route to a 180-pound national title as a true freshman. Fowler pinned her way through the national tournament as the No. 4 seed, earning four falls in only 7:18 of match time.
Fowler was the 2026 recipient of WIN Magazine's Women's Schalles Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate pinner in women's wrestling. She totaled 11 tech falls and 16 falls during the season, including eight-straight falls to close the season.
On the international level, Fowler is a two-time U17 World Team member, having represented Team USA at the 2023 and 2024 age-level World Championships. She won a gold medal at the 2023 U17 Championships.
Fowler won her 76 KG bracket at the 2026 Women's World Team Trials and will once again represent Team USA at the U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia from August 17-23.
As a prep athlete, Fowler was an undefeated four-time Tennessee State champion with a 93-0 record. She was the national recipient of the 2025 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, presented annually to a female high school senior, and is based equally on outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service.
Fowler is a 2023 junior national champion and two-time finalist (2023, '24) and won her bracket at the prestigious Super 32 tournament in 2022.
Piper Fowler
Weight: 180
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Cleveland, Tenn.
Previous School: William Penn
High School: Cleveland High School
We have our first! ✍️
— Iowa State Women's Wrestling (@CycloneW_WR) May 19, 2026
Welcome to Cyclone Nation, Piper! 🌪️
- 2023 U17 World Champion
- 2026 U20 World Team member
- 2026 NAIA national champion
📰 https://t.co/Yq61STPrsC pic.twitter.com/3ZXOit1efr
