Centerville, IA – On the heels of one of the most dominant seasons in women's wrestling history, freshman Nevaeh Hayden (Tulsa, OK/Union) of the Indian Hills Women's Wrestling squad has been named the 2025 The OpenMat National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women's Wrestler and Freshman of the Year, announced Friday afternoon.

Hayden sweeps the top individual honors after a historic year on the mat for the Warriors that culminated in the individual national title at 180lbs. Hayden ran through the 2024-25 campaign with an undefeated record while leading the Warriors to the program's fifth consecutive national title in convincing fashion.

Hayden ran through the 180lb bracket in Council Bluffs to become the program's first-ever 180lb national champion. The top overall seed entering the postseason tournament, Hayden posted three first period falls to advance to the finals before knocking off second-seeded Anya Hatch of Southeast Community College (NE) with a dramatic pin the closing moments.

Hayden finished the year with a 7-0 dual record, including 3-0 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) matchups. The freshman also took top honors at the Grand View Open to set the stage for her dominant run at the national finals.

The Warriors have now claimed three consecutive freshman of the year honors as Hayden joins teammate Genesis Gilmore (Clarksville, TN/__) in 2024 and Eliana Bommarito in 2023.

In addition to Hayden's honors, head coach Darren Wynn was named the 2025 The OpenMat NJCAA Women's Coach of the Year.

READ MORE: WYNN NAMED NJCAA WOMEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR

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