Competing in the first-ever NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, Cameron Guerin becomes the first female wrestler, and just the second wrestler ever, to win five National Collegiate Wrestling Championships.

McKendree University won the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships and Cameron Guerin became the first female wrestler to win five national titles in 2026.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame celebrates its 50th Anniversary!

Penn State wins its 12th NCAA team title in the last 14 tournaments and its 13th team title overall.

Carter Starocci becomes the NCAA's first five-time individual champion.

NCAA adds women's wrestling as its 91st championship.

Amit Elor becomes the youngest United States wrestler ever, male or female, to win an Olympic gold medal.

Hall of Fame unveils women's exhibit.

Helen Maroulis becomes the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling.

Kyle Snyder becomes the youngest Olympic gold medalist in American wrestling history.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame undergoes $3.8 million renovation.

Kyle Snyder becomes the youngest world champion in American wrestling history.

Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award is introduced.

Victoria Anthony and Helen Maroulis become the first four-time Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association national champions.

Kyle Dake becomes the first four-time NCAA champion to win in four different weight classes.

Dan Gable Museum purchase finalized.

United States wins its first Senior World Team title in Greco-Roman.

Oklahoma State wins its 34th NCAA team title, the most in NCAA history.

2006 Tricia Saunders becomes the first woman inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.

Lee Roy Smith III served as the executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum from 2004 to 2026.

Women's wrestling makes its debut at the Athens Olympics.

Cael Sanderson of Iowa State becomes the first undefeated four-time NCAA Div. I champion.

United States wins Women's World Championships team title.

Hall of Fame is expanded to include the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors.

Iowa wins the last of its record 15 NCAA team titles under Dan Gable.

Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award is introduced.

The world lost Dave Schultz.

Medal of Courage award is introduced.

Bruce Baumgartner wins the last of his record 13 gold medals, which are displayed at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Sheila Wager becomes the first female honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, receiving the Meritorious Official award.

Meritorious Official award is introduced.

Pat Smith become first four-time NCAA Division I champion.

State Chapter program is introduced with Pennsylvania as first State Chapter.

On March 21, 1992 in Oklahoma City at 28 years old, Charlie Jones of Purdue University became the oldest wrestler to win an NCAA wrestling title.

Outstanding American award is introduced.

Order of Merit award is introduced.

John Smith wins the sixth of his record six gold medals, which are displayed at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Sheila Wager becomes the first U.S. female to referee at the Olympics, working the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

She also went on to officiate at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Bobby Douglas becomes the first Black wrestler inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.

Tim Wright of NCAA Division II Southern Illinois University Edwardsville becomes the first four-time NCAA champion.

Jeff Blatnick and Steve Fraser win gold medals at Los Angeles Olympics to become first Americans to win Greco-Roman Olympic gold.

United States wins record seven gold and silver medals in freestyle at Los Angeles Olympics.

United States Wrestling Federation forms USA Wrestling.

United States Wrestling Federation named official governing body.

Sandy Stevens becomes the first female to announce the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

Known throughout wrestling as "that lady announcer," she has worked at every level from high school dual meets to the Olympic Games while also servin

Lee Kemp becomes the youngest world champion in American wrestling history.

Jimmy Jackson and Lee Kemp become the first Black wrestlers to earn three NCAA titles.

The building was deeded, debt-free, to USA Wrestling in 1976, but the organization's Board of Governors was asked to continue its financial support to furnish the museum, create the displays and conduct the annual festivities.

Bob Dellinger served as corporate secretary and director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum from the dedication in 1976 until 1995.

Hall of Fame opens and inducts its inaugural class of Distinguished Members.

Following months of bidding and negotiations among 14 communities, Stillwater, Oklahoma was selected as the site after months of bidding and negotiations.

Oklahoma State University provides land at no cost through a 99-year renewable lease.

Concept of National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum was originated by Myron Roderick, the first executive director of USA Wrestling, and Dr. Melvin D. Jones, an insurance executive and avid wrestling fan.

Myron Roderick introduces new style on the mat, prompting rule changes, and extends recruiting across the United States and even abroad.

Simon Roberts from the University of Iowa became the first Black wrestler to win an NCAA title when he won the 147-pound weight class at the 1957 NCAA Division I Championships.

Three-time NCAA champion and Olympic silver medalist Dan Hodge is the first and only amateur wrestler to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. The other wrestler is Hodge's teammate at the University of Oklahoma, Rex Edgar.

Wrestling journalism pioneer Jess Hoke has a monumental impact on the sport’s growth as founder and editor of Amateur Wrestling News, the first national publication devoted to the sport, which published its inaugural edition on January 2, 1956.

Harold Henson of San Diego State becomes first African-American to wrestle in the NCAA tournament.

Wrestling grows in popularity across America after World War II, and in 1947 Cornell College of Iowa becomes the first and only private school to win an NCAA team title. Coached by the legendary Paul Scott, the “Dream Team” is led by NCAA champions Dic

Ed Gallagher, known as the Dean of collegiate wrestling coaches, develops the first dynasty, leading Oklahoma State to the first NCAA Wrestling Championship in 1928, and 11 of the first 13 NCAA team titles from 1928 - 1940.

On March 30-31, 1928, the first NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships were held in Ames, Iowa, hosted by Iowa State University. The tournament was described as the “Individual Wrestling Championships and Preliminary Tryouts for the Olympic Team.

Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) organizes the first college wrestling championship in 1905.

Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) set governance structures for wrestling in the United States, and hosts the St. Louis Olympic Games in 1904.