The tournament consists of both a team national title and individual titles at various weight classes. The NAIA voted to approve women's wrestling as its 28th national championship on April 9, 2022.[2] Prior to this, there had been three NAIA women's wrestling national invitational championships. The winners of the Invitational Championships are still recognized as National Champions.[3]
The 2020 National Invitational was canceled due to COVID-19.[4]
The reigning national champions are Menlo, who won their second title in 2024.
The 2023 championship took place March 10–11, 2023 at the Harold Newman Arena, on the campus of the University of Jamestown, in Jamestown, North Dakota. It was the first sanctioned collegiate women's wrestling championship.[5] The team championship was won by Southern Oregon University, led by first year head coach, Gabrielle Weyhrich.[6]
The 2024 NAIA championship took place March 8-9, 2024 at the Harold Newman Arena, on the campus of the University of Jamestown, in Jamestown, North Dakota. It was the second annual competition and Menlo College won the team championship with 172 points.[9]
