​The Iowa State women’s wrestling program has expanded its lineup by announcing three new transfers on Thursday: Tatiana Paragas and Avy Perez from William Penn, along with Kailey Benson from Oklahoma State. With these additions, head coach Alli St. John’s team now features 15 wrestlers, including five former William Penn athletes and three who previously competed for Oklahoma State.
Kailey Benson, a sophomore at 131 pounds, will move to Iowa State after a successful stint with the Oklahoma State club team, where she posted a 22-6 record and claimed two individual titles. Benson hails from a standout Missouri high school career, where she compiled a 162-13 record, including two perfect seasons and two state championships. She is a three-time Junior Nationals Fargo All-American and was selected for the 2026 Pan Am team. Benson’s athletic journey also includes early training and competition in jiu-jitsu, which she pursued while attending Francis Howell Central High School.
Tatiana Paragas, competing at 124 pounds and currently a sophomore, joins the Cyclones after a freshman season at William Penn in which she went 31-12. Remarkably, she did not allow a single point in 15 of those victories and most recently competed at the 2026 World Team Trials. Paragas brings added experience and a strong competitive pedigree to the Iowa State lineup.
Avy Perez, who wrestles at 110 pounds, arrives as a decorated NAIA All-American, having placed seventh nationally in her first year. Perez recorded 19 wins and two tournament titles during her time at William Penn, following a high school career that earned her two Fargo All-American honors.
The recruitment moves highlight enduring professional and personal connections within the program. Paragas and Perez are reuniting with former coaches Jake Kadel and Cash Wilcke, who also moved from Oskaloosa to Ames. Benson is rejoining several former Oklahoma State teammates who had previously transferred to Iowa State, reinforcing a network of familiar relationships within the team.
ISU Women’s Wrestling Signees include: Jumoke Adekoye (131, Junior), Molly Allen (124, Sophomore), Kailey Benson (131, Sophomore), Greta Brus (145, Freshman), Makennah Craft (103, Sophomore), Piper Fowler (180, Sophomore), Gabriella Gomez (124, Sophomore), Persaeus Gomez (131, Sophomore), Esther Kolawole (138, Junior), Daniella Nugent (145, Sophomore), Christianah Ogunsanya (117, Junior), Tatiana Paragas (124, Sophomore), Avy Perez (110, Sophomore), Brooklyn Perez (131, Freshman), and Alezandra Robles (145, Freshman).
This influx of talent helps solidify Iowa State’s depth and breadth across the weight classes, positioning the Cyclones for stronger performances in future competitions. The combination of transfer experience, strong junior and senior leadership, and rising talent from within ISU’s pipeline bodes well for the program’s ongoing competitiveness on both national and international stages.