Iowa State women’s wrestling adds a trio of transfers

The Iowa State women’s wrestling team has bolstered its roster by officially announcing the signing three transfers Thursday: Tatiana Paragas and Avy Perez from William Penn, alongside Kailey Benson from Oklahoma State.

With these new additions, head coach Alli St. John’s squad has grown to 15 athletes, a group that now includes five former William Penn wrestlers and three from the Oklahoma State program.

Kailey Benson, a sophomore competing at 131 pounds, transitions to Iowa State after a successful tenure with the Oklahoma State club team, where she achieved a 22-6 record and captured two individual titles.

Her background is marked by a dominant high school career in Missouri, where she went 162-13, including two perfect seasons and two state championships. Additionally, she is a three-time Junior Nationals Fargo All-American and was selected for the 2026 Pan Am team.

Benson grew up training and competing in jiu-jitsu until she went to Francis Howell Central High School.

Tatiana Paragas, a 124-pound sophomore, joins the Cyclones following a freshman season at William Penn where she went 31-12. Notably, she did not allow a single point in 15 of those victories and recently competed at the 2026 World Team Trials.

Avy Perez, who competes at 110 pounds, arrives as a decorated NAIA All-American after placing seventh in the nation during her first year.

Perez secured 19 wins and two tournament titles at William Penn after a high school career that saw her earn two Fargo All-American honors.

These recruitment moves maintain strong professional and personal ties within the program. Paragas and Perez are reuniting with their former coaches, Jake Kadel and Cash Wilcke, who also moved from Oskaloosa to Ames. Similarly, Benson is joining several of her former Oklahoma State teammates who had previously transferred to the Iowa State program.

ISU Women’s Wrestling Signees
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
Alezandra Robles – 145 – Freshman