Hayden signs with University of the Cumberlands
Nevaeh "Kali" Hayden, one of the most decorated wrestlers to come through the NJCAA ranks in recent years, has signed to continue her career at the University of the Cumberlands.
Hayden spent the past two seasons at Indian Hills Community College, a program that has become the sport's dominant junior college power. She won the 2025 NJCAA national title at 180 pounds without a loss and followed it with All-America honors at 160 pounds in 2026, helping Indian Hills capture back-to-back national team championships in both years. Her freshman season alone earned her The Open Mat's NJCAA National Wrestler of the Year and National Freshman of the Year awards.
Beyond her 2025 title and 2026 All-America finish, Hayden earned ICCAC Athlete of the Week honors and a spot on the ICCAC Academic All-Region Second Team, pairing her success on the mat with recognition in the classroom.
Hayden's path to Indian Hills ran through Oklahoma, where she wrestled for Union High School in Broken Arrow and built one of the most complete resumes in the state's girls wrestling history. She won three Oklahoma state titles, took the 2024 Fargo national championship at 170 pounds, and was a three-time Tulsa World All-World selection. She also placed third at the 2021 Preseason Nationals, finished runner-up at the 2022 16U Nationals, and won the 2023 Southern Plains Junior Regional. Her accolades off the mat matched her results on it: Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, the 2024 Jim Thorpe Girls Wrestler of the Year, and the OCA Female Athlete of the Year. She capped her prep career representing the East squad at Oklahoma's All-State Games, closing out with a technical fall.
Hayden now joins a University of the Cumberlands roster that includes several of her former Indian Hills teammates. The program has quickly established itself as a national contender in NAIA women's wrestling under head coach Sarah Allen, having sent 10 wrestlers to the 2026 NAIA Women's Wrestling Championships and placed 12th.