DAVIS, Calif. — Former UC Davis wrestler and Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston has been named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2027, becoming the first UC Davis wrestler to earn induction as a Distinguished Member.

Johnston is one of four Distinguished Members selected for the Class of 2027, joining Iris Smith, Thad Turner and Joe Warren. The class will be officially inducted during the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's 50th Honors Weekend, June 4–5, 2027, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

A pioneer in women's wrestling, Johnston made history in 1989 when, at just 17 years old, she captured bronze at the World Championships, becoming the first American woman to medal at a World Wrestling Championship. She followed that performance with a silver medal at the 1990 World Championships and went on to compete internationally throughout her career.

Johnston continued breaking barriers at UC Davis, becoming the first woman to earn a roster spot on the Aggies' men's varsity wrestling team. She later made history as the first woman to officiate an NCAA Division I men's wrestling match while refereeing a UC Davis dual meet.

Following her competitive career, Johnston became a prominent figure in coaching and developing women's wrestling. She helped lead the United States to a third-place finish at the 2014 Women's World Championships and served on the U.S. coaching staff at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Helen Maroulis became the first American woman to capture Olympic wrestling gold.

Johnston has also served in leadership roles with USA Wrestling and several national wrestling organizations, advocating for expanded opportunities for women and girls in the sport.

A member of the Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Fame, California Wrestling Hall of Fame, San Jose Sports Hall of Fame and Independence High School Hall of Fame, Johnston will become one of just nine women inducted as Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS 

UC Davis Athletics represents one of the nation's premier public universities on the NCAA Division I stage, with more than 650 student-athletes competing across 25 sports, including 16 programs in the Mountain West Conference. Located in California's quintessential college town, UC Davis combines championship-level athletics with the academic excellence of the nation's #8 public research university and is home to the nation's No. 1 programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine and sustainability. With a growing national media presence, bold investments in facilities and the student-athlete experience, and a tradition of developing champions in competition, in the classroom and beyond, the Aggies are elevating UC Davis on a national stage.

For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/. 

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