Iowa State secures commitment from U17 world medalist Poalillo
Iowa State women's wrestling has secured a commitment from one of the nation's top high school wrestlers, landing New Jersey standout Ella Poalillo.
Poalillo enters her senior season at High Point Regional High School as one of the premier recruits in the Class of 2027. A three-time New Jersey state champion, she will have the opportunity to become a four-time state champion during the 2026-27 season. She finished the 2025-26 season ranked No. 1 nationally at 155 pounds after going 36-0, with wins at the Beast of the East, Super 32 and USA Wrestling Women's Nationals. She also earned NJ.com Girls Wrestler of the Year honors.
Internationally, Poalillo has already established herself as one of the top young wrestlers in the country. She earned a bronze medal at the U17 World Championships at 73 kilograms and captured a U17 Pan American title.
Poalillo will join a roster that head coach Alli St. John has built into one of the deepest in women's college wrestling. Iowa State's projected roster now includes two-time NAIA national champions Christianah Ogunsanya (117), Jumoke Adekoye (131) and Esther Kolawole (138), NAIA national champion Piper Fowler (180) and NAIA All-American Makennah Craft (103), four-time Iowa state champion Molly Allen (124), three-time Illinois state champion Gabriella Gomez (124), McKendree transfer Persaeus Gomez (131), Oklahoma State transfer Daniella Nugent (145), and recruits Greta Brus (145), Brooklyn Perez (131) and Alezandra Robles (145). Iowa State also received a commitment from Iowa undefeated state champion Bella Miller recently.
The Cyclones are building toward their first NCAA season in 2027-28, and Poalillo's combination of national rankings, international medals and big-match experience makes her one of the most significant high school commitments in program history.