Bettendorf Native Part of National Champion Iowa Wrestling Team

This weekend, the Iowa Women's Wrestling team won the National Championship in its inaugural year, and a Bettendorf native was part of that team.

North Central, a Division III team from Naperville, Illinois, almost beat one of the world's most legendary college wrestling programs, but Iowa prevailed.

Coming into the finals, the Cardinals had a 17.5-point lead entering the finals, but Iowa had nine finalists to North Central's three, meaning two matches ended up being Hawkeye vs. Hawkeye.

Iowa won the tournament with a fall from Resse Larremendy at 143 and a 9-3 decision by returning champion Marlynne Deede at 155.

Part of the team was Ella Schmit, a Bettendorf native and sophomore at the University of Iowa, who has been a pioneer in Iowa women's wrestling.

As a high schooler, Ella held a record of 16-0 with 13 pins as a senior for Bettendorf High School, with a career record of 70-18 against the boys and girls of the sport.

Ella also was a 3 time State Wrestling Champion for Bettendorf.

She's had accomplishment after accomplishment since making the program at Iowa.

• Two-Time all American
• Dan Gable Wrestler of The Year Recipient
• First Iowa native to join the Iowa Women's wrestling program
• Won Gold at Pan-American Championships (July 2023 in Santiago, Chile)

She can now add being a part of a National Championship to the list of her accomplishments.

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