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BREAKING - Iowa's Nyla Valencia announces retirement after third ACL tear in three years

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Tanner Lafever

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Earlier today, Nyla Valencia confirmed news that was first hinted at during Saturday night's men's NCAA finals.

Unfortunately, it's that the redshirt junior's lone season competing as a Hawkeye will also be her last:

Nyla Valencia announces end of career after third ACL injury - On3

A third ACL tear in as many years precipitated her decision to retire from the sport, and she'll now turn her focus towards other equally impressive pursuits - many of which I wrote about in a feature story back in November.

Here's her announcement on Instagram in its entirety:



And here's the emotional interview her younger brother, Aden, gave regarding his sister after winning an NCAA title two days ago:

 
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pickr374

pickr374

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That stinks. Long term health is the most important thing for her now. Does wrestling have a medical hardship? Is still going to be around the program?
 
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HawkAlum2002

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pickr374 said:
That stinks. Long term health is the most important thing for her now. Does wrestling have a medical hardship? Is still going to be around the program?
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This is still her fourth year at Iowa since she's been here since the real first season where they all wrestled unattached, I imagine she will be graduating here shortly.
 
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Tanner Lafever

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pickr374 said:
That stinks. Long term health is the most important thing for her now. Does wrestling have a medical hardship? Is still going to be around the program?
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t imagine she’ll have any trouble qualifying for a medical hardship - which would open up a spot on next year’s roster (which was previously filled to its 30-person limit).

As for sticking around the program, that’ll probably depend on her graduation timeline and where she goes to medical school.

Regardless, I’m sure she’ll be celebrated along with the rest of her recruiting class on Senior Day next year.
 
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TNTwrestle

TNTwrestle

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This is sad news. I anticipated seeing her wrestle for the Hawks for so long, one year isn't enough.I wish her the very best, and I'm happy for her future, but I will miss her. As someone who's had a few surgeries of my own, I can understand the frustration. She could send her brother here as consolation, but I wouldn't expect him to leave a Stanford education.
 
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Squatch96

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TNTwrestle said:
This is sad news. I anticipated seeing her wrestle for the Hawks for so long, one year isn't enough.I wish her the very best, and I'm happy for her future, but I will miss her. As someone who's had a few surgeries of my own, I can understand the frustration. She could send her brother here as consolation, but I wouldn't expect him to leave a Stanford education.
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Watching the finals Saturday after her brother won and his interview me and my brother said at the same time how bout you come dedicate you next one to your sister when your at Iowa gotta be a valencia thats a champ at Iowa! Its bummer for nyla tho at least she got to compete this year and was a ncaa AA. And gave it her all you could tell something wasnt right in her Consi-Semi but still got bonus for her team!
 
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