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Iowa wrestlers earn three golds, one silver at U20 Pan-Ams

by: Tanner Lafever07/12/25TannerLafever
Bowling 2025 Pan-Am Champ
One of three Iowa wrestlers to earn U20 Pan-Am gold, incoming freshman Leister Bowling IV put forth a dominant effort in the Men's Greco-Roman division. (Photo Credit: @leisterbowling4 on Instagram)

It flew a bit under the radar with Fargo starting this weekend, but another event of interest to Iowa wrestling fans just concluded down in Lima, Peru.

There, a quartet of current/incoming Hawkeyes were competing at the Under-20 Pan-American Championships.

After two days of competition, the final tally for the group – which included three women’s freestylers (Bella Williams – 59kg, Lilly Luft – 62kg, Cadence Diduch – 65kg) plus men’s Greco-Roman entry Leister Bowling IV (77kg) – was impressive to say the least:

  • Three gold medals, one silver
  • 13-1 combined record (all 13 wins via bonus points)

In addition to their own successes, the foursome also helped to win team titles for the United States in both Greco and Women’s Freestyle.

That said, it all starts with individual performance first. So, here’s how each of the four Hawkeyes fared down in Peru.

Bowling continues torrid summer run

If changing states hasn’t slowed down Leister Bowling IV’s dominant 2025 Greco season, why would changing continents be any different?

The incoming freshman tore through his 77-kilogram bracket at U20 Pan-Ams – outscoring three opponents by a combined 31-1 margin.

After shutting out foes from Puerto Rico (12-0) and Mexico (11-0) in the quarters/semis, the last of Bowling’s results came in the finals against Colombia’s Alonso Garcia – a two-time age-level Pan-Am medalist and 2024 U23 World teamer.

Leading 4-1 after a second-period takedown extended his lead, the incoming Hawkeye hit this huge four-point lift before settling in for the title-winning fall:

All told, the Colorado native’s summer record to date is as follows through three major events:

  • U20 US Open – 5-0 record, five technical falls
  • U20 World Team Trials – 2-0 record, two falls
  • U20 Pan-Am Championships – 3-0 record, two technical falls + one fall

Needless to say, Bowling has serious momentum on his side ahead of next month’s U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Diduch demolishes 65kg field

The most dominant performance amongst a collectively sterling showing by the Iowa women came from Cadence Diduch.

Not only did the sophomore-to-be win all four matches via bonus points, but she did so without allowing a single point against her.

Diduch swept through ‘Group A’ with tech. falls over Chilean and Canadian opponents. Then in the semifinals, she converted this beautiful feet-to-back takedown to earn the fall over Mexico’s Valeria Pacheco:

That victory set up a rematch with a fellow member of ‘Group A’ in the gold medal bout. And while the result would prove identical – a 10-0 tech. fall over Mackenzie Cayer (Canada) – the journey was far smoother the second time around.

In group play, Diduch had some struggles converting leg attacks before finally securing the tech. with 1:31 remaining. But with gold on the line, the Hawkeye was clinical with her finishes – including a score right off the opening whistle.

The match would end before intermission as Diduch countered a front headlock with an attack and subsequent exposure to seal the win.

Friday’s U20 title at 65 kilograms marks the end of a long 2024-25 season for the first-year Hawkeye. She’ll next compete when Iowa officially embarks on its 2025-26 college schedule this November.

Williams wins (another) Pan-Am title

At this point, incoming Iowa freshman Bella Williams is no stranger to returning stateside with a Pan-Am gold medal in her luggage.

Friday’s latest triumph – competing at 59 kilograms – marked her third such title in a little more than a calendar year.

Williams won the U17 edition of this tournament last June in the Dominican Republic, and U23’s in Mexico last month.

This time, U20’s was the mountain to climb, and the 18-year-old did so with relative ease.

Part of a five-woman round robin, none of the American’s matches would last beyond the first period.

One came as close as can be, however, as Williams trailed Ella Finding (CAN) in the waning seconds before intermission. But an errant shot by the Canadian would prove costly, as Williams pancaked Finding to her back and secured the fall just before time ran out.

Williams won her three other bouts in 95 seconds or less – including two pins and an 11-0 tech. fall.

Now, she’ll get ready for her first college season with another shiny medal to hang in her dorm room.

Luft earns silver by the narrowest of margins

Iowa’s fourth and final competitor in Peru was unfortunately its lone entry to not win gold.

That said, Lilly Luft came about as close as one could to doing so in a silver medal effort.

But before we get there, the Charles City (IA) native had to demonstrate some impressive fortitude/firepower first.

Luft jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in her quarterfinal against Neevis Cantu (MEX), only for a pair of big four-point counter throws to put the Mexican back in front. Trailing on criteria at the break, the Hawkeye would respond in convincing fashion over the 2022 U17 Pan-Am champ:

That set up a semifinal against Colombia’s Diana Martinez – who utilized a constant underhook to control the first period action. But once again, Luft adjusted after the break en route to a dominant result:

All that remained was a finals matchup against Canada’s Annika Fines – an 11th-place finisher at last year’s U20 World Championships.

In a defensive struggle, Luft scored via a first period step-out thanks to a solid double leg attack. But Fines would respond midway through the second with a takedown to pull ahead.

The American pressured forward and had a few potential scoring windows during the final minute-and-change, but Luft never ultimately got a lock on the Canadian’s legs before time expired in a 2-1 defeat.

It won’t be the final result the Hawkeye wanted, that’s for sure. However, after an injury-riddled sophomore season there should also be no shortage of pride in how Luft has responded this summer – finishing second at both Team USA’s U20 World Team Trials and U20 Pan-Ams.

Come November, she’ll be a strong contender to fill Iowa’s 138-pound starting spot vacated by the graduation of Nanea Estrella.

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