Iowa State University Athletics
Iowa State Adds Pair of William Penn Transfers
06.11.2026 | Women's Wrestling
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women's wrestling program has signed a pair of William Penn transfers in 138-pounder Esther Kolawole and 117-pounder Christianah Ogunsanya, head coach Alli St. John announced.
The pair have combined for four NAIA titles, four Heart of America Conference titles and an 80-0 collegiate record.
The additions bring Iowa State's roster to 11 total, and they are the seventh and eighth transfers added.
Esther Kolawole – 138 | Jr. | Akure, Nigeria | St. Louis Grammar School | William Penn Transfer
Kolawole began her collegiate career in 2024, spending her first two seasons at William Penn. There, she notched back-to-back 138-pound NAIA titles, posting a collective 43-0 record across her two seasons. She totaled 38 tech falls and did not surrender a single match point the entirety of her sophomore year. Kolawole was a two-time conference champion and was named The Open Mat NAIA Wrestler and Freshman of the Year.
Internationally, Kolawole has also made her mark, as she was a 2024 Olympian for Team Nigeria. Kolawole is a four-time African champion (2020, '24-26) and a four-time senior world team member (2021-23, '25). She placed fifth at the 2025 Senior World Championships and is a two-time U23 World Bronze Medalist (2024-25).
Christianah Ogunsanya – 117 | Jr. | Akure, Nigeria | St. Louis Grammar School | William Penn Transfer
Ogunsanya spent the last two seasons at William Penn, where she was a two-time NAIA National Champion at 117 pounds. In her collegiate career, Ogunsanya has gone a perfect 37-0 with 32 tech falls. In addition to being a two-time NAIA national champ, she was also a Heart of America Conference Champion in both 2025 and 2026.
Outside of her stellar collegiate resume, Ogunsanya has also excelled on the international scene. In 2023, she was a member of the Senior World Team, in 2024, she was an Olympian for Team Nigeria, and in 2025, she was a U23 bronze medalist. Ogunsanya is a four-time African Champion (2023-26).
ISU Women's Wrestling Signees
Molly Allen – 124 – Soph.
Greta Brus – 145 – Fresh.
Makennah Craft – 103 – Soph.
Piper Fowler – 180 – Soph.
Gabriella Gomez – 124 – Soph.
Persaeus Gomez – 131 – Soph.
Esther Kolawole – 138 – Jun.
Daniella Nugent – 145 – Soph.
Christianah Ogunsanya – 117 – Jun.
Brooklyn Perez – 131 – Fresh.
Alezandra Robles – 145 – Fresh.
