The women’s Journeymen College Duals return this Saturday in Albany, New York, and the stage is set for top-tier wrestling featuring several ranked wrestlers. No. 1 Iowa looks to maintain its dominance, while newcomer to the event, Gannon University, looks to make a statement in its debut.
What are the Journeymen College Duals?
The Journeyman College Duals offer a spotlight for some of the best women’s teams in the country to compete on the national stage again before the first NCAA championship in March in Iowa. This event, which has been held for women for the last eight years, has proven to be an important standard for the wrestling community, providing consistent high-level dual competition. Unlike the men’s Journeymen Duals, which take place in December in Tennessee, the women will meet in Albany, New York, this Saturday.
Teams at the 2026 College Journeymen Duals
- No. 1 Iowa (10-1)
- No. 16 Elmira (11-7)
- No. 21 Gannon University (7-7)
- Sacred Heart (13-4)
Who is competing?
No. 1 Iowa (10-1)The Hawkeyes dominated the 2025 Journeymen Duals, beating all four ranked opponents: No. 6 Presbyterian, No. 12 Lock Haven, No. 15 Sacred Heart and No. 19 Elmira. Two of these teams are returning to the duals for 2026, including the Pioneers and the Soaring Eagles. Iowa went undefeated last season, finishing 19-0. Iowa, though, will be the heavy favorite, as they enter the Duals with a 10-1 record, their only loss coming to North Central at the NWCA National Duals. It will take a juggernaut to bring them down again this weekend.
Iowa is led by 2024 Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades, who is 10-0 on the year at 160 pounds with all of her wins coming by pin or fall. Fellow 2025 senior world team member Kylie Welker will also be expected to compete after making her season debut at the NWCA Duals. Welker is undefeated this season with a 5-0 record and has not lost a single match in her collegiate career. Blades and Welker are two of Iowa’s five No. 1-ranked wrestlers along with Valarie Solorio at 103 pounds, Karlee Brooks at 131 pounds and Reese Larramendy at 145 pounds.
No. 16 Elmira (11-7)
The Eagles are looking for redemption this year after going 0-4 in the 2025 Journeymen Duals. The team has already seen Sacred Heart in dual action this season too, dropping 34-12 to the Pioneers with individual wins from Megan Edwards at 124 pounds, Gabby Bradigan at 138 pounds and No. 3 Zoey Lints. Lints also won her weight class at the Will Abele Invite last weekend with three pins and one tech while teammates Edwards, Bradigan, Marissa Crossfoot, Talia Robles, Angelina Caban and Alexis Bilka-Durdon also placed in their brackets.
Additionally, Lints was named the AMCC Wrestler of the Week following the tournament and now carries a 30-1 overall record and a 17-0 dual record so far this season.
No. 21 Gannon (7-7)
This will be Gannon’s first appearance at the Journeyman Duals. The team enters the event at 7-7 on the season, led by No. 8 Bella Phillips at 180 pounds and No. 9 Sierra Chiesa at 131 pounds. Phillips has been particularly essential to the Golden Knights' victories this season, as she holds a 21-6 record this season and is tied for a team-high 11 technical falls.
Sacred Heart (13-4)
The Pioneers will host this year's Journeymen Duals after finishing 2-2 in 2025 with victories over No. 19 Elmira College and No. 12 Lock Haven. Their losses came to No. 6 Presbyterian, 33-15, and to top-ranked Iowa, 38-7. The Eagles and the Hawks will be back this year too, giving Sacred Heart the chance at two top-20 opponents. The team is on a 2-0 winning streak at home this season, following dual victories against Eastern University, 38-8, and a shutout over the University of Bridgeport, 49-0.
Where will the matches be held?
Matches will take place inside the Washington Street Armory and will begin at 11:30 am CT on Saturday.
