Two women on the Simpson College wrestling team qualified for the Women’s Wrestling National Tournament on Feb. 21.
Sophomore Annelise Obermark (145) and junior Keeley Kehrli (160) both secured their places in the national tournament and led the storm to a fourth place team finish at the NCAA Region 5 Championships, held at Simpson College.
“It was a relief qualifying but I knew I had wrestled some opponents previously and I knew that I could beat them as long as I didn’t wrestle down from my normal standard,” Obermark said.
The top three finishers in every weight class qualified, with a total of 18 women qualifying in each weight class from all divisions of the NCAA.
Both women are excited to play a role in the first NCAA sanctioned national tournament as the 91st NCAA official sport.
“It means a lot getting to play a role in this historic event for women’s wrestling,” Kehrli said.
Simpson had a homefield advantage as the school hosted the championship. Both women believe that helped with their performance.
“Being able to compete at home and sleep in my own bed and warm up in our wrestling room definitely had its advantages,” Obermark said.
The location of the tournament in Cowles Fieldhouse made it so students were easily a able to stop and support the Storm wrestlers.
“It gave us a homefield advantage and allowed people around campus the opportunity to come and see what we do,” Kehrli said. “I loved all of the support we received from students and staff. I’ve had a couple of people come up to me and talk about how cool it was to watch us and learn more about our sport.”
Both women have a goal of being an All-American in their venture to nationals, which means placing in the top eight.
This is the first sanctioned women’s wrestling NCAA national tournament, and in the 2027-28 school year, Division III will have their own tournament.
“Being able to wrestle during this era of collegiate women’s wrestling is super unique and something I will never forget,” Kehrli said.
Obermark and Kehrli will wrestle at the Women’s National Championship on March 6-7 in Coralville.
