Jackie Kawamoto’s Unlikely Journey: Jackie Kawamoto helped organize the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia last month, where she also discovered a new love for the sport. Kawamoto, a pro pickleball player and NCAA assistant coordinator, played a key role in running the event at Wells Fargo Center.
The tournament featured a shocking result as Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson defeated Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson to win the heavyweight title. Kawamoto, who helped plan the event and managed operations on-site, called the experience her most exciting yet.
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Helping Run a Major Championship
Kawamoto works as the NCAA’s Assistant Coordinator of Championships and Alliances, Operations. She manages four major college events: Division I women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, and now, men’s wrestling.
“We work with the national committee on selecting the teams that get into the championships, and then just any logistics and operations that go into it. We handle everything from picking the host sites, working with host sites, shipping any signage, working with our broadcast team, anything and everything that’s related to the postseason championships for those sports.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
This was her first time working with wrestling, and it made a big impression.
A Shocking Upset in the Finals
The final match delivered one of the biggest surprises in recent NCAA wrestling history. Wyatt Hendrickson took down Gable Steveson in the last 30 seconds of the match, leaving fans stunned.
“It was our premier showcase match that night, and Gable was the heavy favorite. I had actually escorted Wyatt’s family down to the floor seats, so I kind of saw all the nerves from them. They were positive and very hopeful, but definitely nervous going up against Gable. The atmosphere was really, really electric. We had a sold-out crowd.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
“It kind of seemed like Gable was going to win until the last 30 seconds when Wyatt got that takedown, and that’s when things got crazy. Everyone stood up and the air kind of left the building, just to see if Wyatt could hold on for the last 30 seconds, and he did. It was kind of a picture-perfect moment – Wyatt’s salute to President Trump, the American flag around his back. You couldn’t write it up any better than that.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
Hooked on College Wrestling
The experience left a lasting impact on Kawamoto, who now considers herself a college wrestling fan.
“This was definitely the biggest and most unique championship that I’ve worked on so far, just with all the planning and logistics that go in it. I’ve quickly learned that wrestling is it’s own unique world that’s very special. Everyone kind of knows everyone and everyone is inter-connected. It kind of has it’s own little cult-like following. I’m definitely hooked now that I’ve experienced it. I’ll definitely be following college wrestling more myself. The storylines that we had this year were very special, with Wyatt beating Gable and Penn State’s Carter Starocci winning his fifth national title.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
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A Pickleball Connection in the Crowd
Kawamoto was not the only one from the pickleball world in the building. Professional pickleball star Tyson McGuffin also attended the finals.
“I met him up on the concourse before the final night got started. He had great seats in the front row a little off the matside. I actually had to walk by him like 20 times because that was the aisle I was escorting families down through, so I saw Tyson quite a bit.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
A Career That Merges Sports and Service
Since 2021, Kawamoto has worked at the NCAA’s national office in Indianapolis. She joined her twin sister Jade, who has worked there since 2019 in the Eligibility Center.
“As a former student-athlete myself at the University of Dayton, being able to kind of give back to current student-athletes and make these postseason championships as memorable as possible for them is special. These are memories that are going to last with them for the rest of their lives, so just being able to be a part of that and being able to help make that as special as possible for them means a lot to me. Once a championship is done, you just have this great sense of pride in your work. It can be hectic and crazy at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. You see this look on a student-athlete’s face, and it’s just awesome.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
Looking Ahead to NCAA Pickleball
Although pickleball is not yet an NCAA sport, Kawamoto sees promise.
“That’s one of my longer-term goals. I hope to keep building towards NCAA pickleball. I think we’re trending in the right direction, and if it keeps growing at the rate that it’s growing, we’re going to see it.” – (Jackie Kawamoto)
News in Brief: Jackie Kawamoto’s Unlikely Journey
Jackie Kawamoto, a professional pickleball player and NCAA event coordinator, helped run the 2025 DI Men’s Wrestling Championships and fell in love with the sport. The event featured a dramatic upset as Wyatt Hendrickson beat Gable Steveson. Kawamoto hopes pickleball will someday join the NCAA’s list of championship sports.
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