Notable NCWA Alumni

Beginning in 1997, the National Collegiate Wrestling Association now has over 160 schools represented within the league. With nearly three decades now of competition there have been some impressive NCWA alumni that continue on with their mat career. Here are just two of the many notable alumni that help showcase the prowess of many NCWA athletes.

Tom Lawlor is one of the many recognizable names who competed in the NCWA. He won three NCWA national championships in the 235 pound weight class. Shortly after graduating from University of Central Florida Tom began working on his career in professional MMA.

Two years later competing in season 8 of the Ultimate Fighter he defeated Kyle Kingsbury in UFC 92. His UFC career took off with a submission on favored Arizona State All-American CB Dollaway. From there he went on to an 11-8 professional fighting career that ran until 2021 in the UFC.

Currently he has gone back to his roots as a wrestler and has been dominating in Major League Wrestling as well as the New Japan Pro-Wrestling league.

Another memorable NCWA athlete was Ike Okoli. He was a two-time NCWA-All American for the University of South Carolina. After college he continued his wrestling career as an elite beach wrestler.
He racked up impressive achievements such as becoming a three-time U.S. Beach Wrestling Nationals/ World Team Trials champion.

in addition to his many open USA freestyle appearances ike excelled in Sambo wrestling capturing a gold at the pan American Games.

With so many talented athletes currently in the NCWA we look forward to seeing who becomes some of the next great alumni.