FHSU Athletics
MANHEIM, Pa. – Fort Hays State will open the historic first NCAA championship season of women's wrestling ranked No. 7 nationally in the NWCA Top 25. The Tigers have four individuals ranked among the top 10 in their respective classes entering the 2025-26 season.
This is the highest NWCA team ranking for the Fort Hays State women in the young history of the program. Last year, the Tigers reached No. 20 in the nation as a team in the NWCA rankings, but that set of rankings included all 4-year institutions (NCAA Divisions I, II, and III and NAIA). This will be the first year the NCAA schools have their own set of rankings with women's wrestling becoming an NCAA Championship sport.
Fort Hays State has four individuals listed in the preseason rankings of their respective classes. Nichole Moore is No. 6 at 138, Dylen Ritchey is No. 8 at 145, Isabella Renfro is No. 5 at 180, and Hailey Conley is No. 8 at 207.
Moore and Renfro were just one step shy of All-America honors at the NCWWC Championships last year reaching the consolation fourth round. Moore was the only Tiger to break the 30-win plateau last year, finishing with a record of 31-12. Renfro was just shy of 30 wins, finishing with a record of 29-10.
Ritchey and Conley were also national championship qualifiers last year and both won two matches at the event. Ritchey finished with a record of 20-14, while Conley went 19-17 for the season. Later in the spring following the 2024-25 regular season, Ritchey went on to earn All-America status in the U20 class at the USMC Championships/World Team Trials at 65 kg.
Fort Hays State has six individuals among the regional rankings for Region 6 in the NCAA. There are six different regions that will determine qualifiers for the first-ever NCAA Championships for the sport in the spring of 2026. Joining the four individuals mentioned above in the region rankings are Isabell Ortiz (110) and newcomer Samara Markwardt (131).
Full rankings can be seen at the links provided above.