Richard Immel | USA Wrestling

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, has named Tonya Verbeek as its next National Women’s Freestyle Assistant and Resident Coach.

Verbeek, originally from Grimsby, Ontario, Canada, is among the most credentialed athletes and coaches in women’s wrestling. She joins the U.S. women’s freestyle coaching staff, alongside head coach Terry Steiner and development coach Jessica Medina Bunker, coming over from the University of Iowa, where she was an assistant coach.

“The past four years at the University of Iowa have been incredibly meaningful to me. I’m grateful for the relationships built with the athletes, coaches, staff, parents, and fans who have made this experience so special. As I step into this next chapter coaching Team USA, I do so with a full heart, a renewed passion for the sport, and deep appreciation for everyone who has been part of this journey,” said Verbeek.

“Tonya’s addition represents a significant step forward for the continued growth and success of USA Wrestling’s women’s program,” said Steiner. “Known for her relentless work ethic, technical precision, and athlete-centered approach, she is uniquely equipped to connect with and elevate athletes at every level of the national team pipeline. As both a resident coach and assistant national coach, she will play a critical role in daily training, long-term athlete development, and international preparation. Her presence is a game changer, and we are confident she is the right fit to help lead Team USA toward sustained excellence on the World and Olympic stage.”

Verbeek is a three-time Olympic medalist at 55 kg for Canada, securing silver in 2004, bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012. Additionally, she was the first Olympic medalist in women’s wrestling for Canada.

From 1995 to 2011, Verbeek represented Canada at seven Senior World Championships, collecting bronze medals in 2005 and 2009, plus a silver medal in 2011. She was a two-time medalist at the World University Championships (2002, 2005) and a two-time Senior Pan American champion (2003, 2008).

Verbeek served as an assistant coach at Iowa under head coach Clarissa Chun from 2022 to 2026 and was instrumental in Iowa’s start as an NCAA varsity program. She helped coach nine individual Hawkeyes to a combined 12 national titles, plus two NCWWC team national championships and a runner-up finish at this year’s inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships.

Part of Verbeek’s focus in her transition to the USA Wrestling staff is the continued development of the college-to-National Team pipeline and the expansion of opportunities for young women to receive a college education while also pursuing the Olympic dream.

“The opportunity to be a part of starting and growing a program at the NCAA Division I and Big Ten levels has been a blessing and has emphasized to me the importance of merging the pathway from college to National Team. We need more programs like Iowa to start up, and it’s great to see others like Iowa State and Lehigh get going,” Verbeek noted.

Prior to Iowa, Verbeek spent nearly a decade coaching the Canadian National Team with Wrestling Canada Lutte, where she coached women and men pursuing Olympic and World aspirations. She also spent several years coaching with the Brock Wrestling Club, where her own journey in the sport began. It was there that her coaching development was encouraged and supported, helping open the door to her coaching career.

Verbeek was named Ontario Athlete of the Year in 2005 and was enshrined in the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. She was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024.

Verbeek holds degrees in recreation and leisure studies and education from Brock University. She earned her Master of Education degree from Brock University in 2006.

The appointment is subject to the successful completion of applicable U.S. immigration visa processing.