Takedown Report

Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 9 {College}

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following collection of stories, results, reports and other announcements are focused on just women’s college teams as the news of the activities by women in wrestling has grown beyond just one topic for all of the levels and divisions. Enjoy reading and Keep Wrestling on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – 2020-21 NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches’ Poll – No. 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the third poll of 2020-21 season, Life (Ga.) claimed the No. 1 spot in the Women’s Wrestling Coaches Top 20 Poll. Grand View (Iowa), Wayland Baptist, Campbellsville (Ky.) and Southern Oregon rounded out the top five.

Poll Methodology

• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the eight conferences.
• Two days prior to the national poll, each qualifying group rater submits the top six individuals from each weight class in his conference into the system. Only wrestlers listed on a conference ballot are considered for the national ballot.
• The top 20 individuals in each weight class is based on how each voter ranks the best individuals. An individual receives 20 points for each first place vote, 19 for second place and so on through the list. This same point system is used to determine the team ranking. … rest of story at https://www.naia.org/sports/wwrest/2020-21/Releases/WWrest-NationalPoll?mc_cid=9e45a80a12&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – TIFFIN WOMEN CLAIM NCWWC NORTHEAST REGIONAL, WITH FIVE CHAMPIONS AND 14 NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
GANNON, Pa. – The first regional competition to qualify for athletes for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships was held on Saturday, when the NCWWC Northeast Regional was held at Gannon University. Tiffin has the strongest performance of the seven teams in the tournament, scoring the most team points with 190.5, securing the most individual champions with five, and qualifying the most athletes for the national tournament with 14.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class have advanced to the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships at Tiffin on March 6. This is the annual women’s college national tournament for NCAA wrestling teams. Individual champions for Tiffin included Shanna Morris (101), Sugey Ceja (116), Trinity Berry (123), Marta Ojeda (155) and Jessie Lee (191). Tiffin was ranked No. 6 in the most recent NCAA women’s wrestling team rankings.

Adrian College had the next best performance, second in the team standings with 159.5 points, led by four individual champions and 12 national qualifiers. Individual champions for Adrian were Emily Mendez (109) , Elisa Cox (136) Zoe Nowicki (145) and Jasmine Hale (170). … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/20/Tiffin-has-strong-performance-at-NCWWC-Northeast-Regional?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Wrestlers Qualified for the NCWWC by Region
NCAA programs competed in regional qualifiers this weekend for the first time ever. Up to four wrestlers at each weight advanced from four regions, setting up 16-person brackets for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) on March 6th in Tiffin, Ohio. This is the first time in women’s wrestling that a qualifier will determine the brackets for a postseason championship.
NCWWC Qualifiers
Northeast – Adrian, Davenport, Delaware Valley, Elmira, Gannon, New Jersey City, Tiffin, TrineSoutheast – Emmanuel, Ferrum, King, Limestone, PresbyterianNorthwest – Augsburg, Carthage, Iowa Wesleyan, Lakeland, North Central, Pacific, UW-Stevens Point … rest of story at https://www.transitionwrestling.com/wrestlers-qualified-for-the-ncwwc-by-region/?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – VIKINGS CLINCH FIRST EVER CONFERENCE TITLE & CROWN FIVE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
Fayette, MO – Grand View women’s wrestling traveled to Fayette, Missouri today, February 20th to compete in the Inaugural Heart of America Women’s Wrestling Conference Championship. Totaling 100 points, the Vikings took the championship title for the first time in program and conference history. Rounding out the top five included Baker (96), Missouri Valley (59.5), William Penn (43.5), and Waldorf (27).  
Along with winning the championship, the Vikings crowned five individual conference champions including Alaura Couch (101 lbs), Emma Cochran (109 lbs), Isabella Gonzalez (130 lbs), Andrea Schlabach (136 lbs), and Hunter Robinson (170 lbs). At the conclusion of the championship meet, Arelys Valles was named Assistant Coach of the Year in her second year … rest of story at https://www.gvvikings.com/article/6969?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – WARRIORS ANNOUNCE DIONISO AS NEW WOMEN’S WRESTLING COACH
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University has announced the hiring of Chelsea Dionisio as its new women’s wrestling coach. Dionisio will be taking the helm for the Warriors later this spring while current interim head coach Daviaire Dickerson transitions into an assistant coaching role for next season. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to take over the program and get to work with some amazing young women,” Dionisio said. “Not only that, but I’m thankful to continue my coaching career at a university committed to building leaders, in and out of the classroom.” Dionisio, a native of Santa Maria, California, spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant for the University of Jamestown. Prior to that, she was a standout on the mat for the Jimmies. She was a two-time conference finalist, earning KCAC Championship in 2019, and was also a two-time U23 Nationals All-American.

While coaching for Jamestown, she has helped coach the team to back-to-back conference titles that also included several individual champions. Last year the team finished 3rd at the WCWA Nationals and had a total of seven All-Americans. She has also spent time assisting Team North Dakota in preparation for the Fargo National Tournament. … rest of story at https://www.midlandathletics.com/article/5939.php?mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Women’s Wrestling Collects 12 National Qualifiers at Northeast Regional
ERIE, Pa. — The Adrian College women’s wrestling team traveled to Gannon University to compete in the NCWWC Northeast Regional. The Bulldogs placed second as a team with 159.5 points, and finished with 12 national qualifiers. The top four placers at each weight class qualified for the national championships.
Modestie Hitchcock placed third at 101 for the Bulldogs to be named a national qualifier. Hitchcock won the third place match by fall in 46 seconds. Emily Mendez was one of Adrian’s first place finishers to be named a national qualifier and regional champion. Mendez picked up a win by fall in the semi final round, and won by decision in the championship match.

Angela LoRusso is another national qualifier for the Bulldogs with a second place finish at 116. LoRusso advanced to the championship match after an 11-7 win by decision in the semi final match. Jaryn Strong qualified for nationals at 123 with a fourth place finish. Strong lost by decision in the third place match, but bounced back to win the fourth place match by an 11-7 decision. Mackenzie Tayerle finished fourth at 130 to become a national qualifier. Tayerle picked up a win in the quarterfinal match, consolation semi final match, and the fourth place match. Tayerle won the fourth place match by fall in 28 seconds. Elisa Cox was named another regional champion for Adrian with a first place finish at 136. Cox picked up all three of her wins by fall to win at 136. Shawna Oesterling placed third at 136 to be named a national qualifier. Oesterling picked up a win by fall and a win by tech fall in the third place match. … rest of story at https://adrian.prestosports.com/sports/w-wrestl/2020-21/releases/20210220r7a6us?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – NJCU Women’s Wrestling Featured by ABC7 in Preparation for Monumental National Championships
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Just a week-and-a-half removed from a historic performance at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) Northeast Regional qualifier — during which three freshmen wrestlers from the New Jersey City University women’s wrestling program placed in the top three or higher in their respective weight classes — yet another top tier New York-area news network has highlighted the Gothic Knights’ groundbreaking program.

On Wednesday evening, March 3, ABC7 Eyewitness News’ Crystal Cranmore aired a feature on NJCU women’s wrestling as the trio of national qualifiers — Johnae Drumright (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central) (109 lbs.), Sandra Guerrero (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) (191 lbs.) and Naomi Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Wingate Educational Campus) (130 lbs.) — prepare to head out for Tiffin, Ohio, this weekend to compete the NCWWC Nationals on Saturday, March 6. Both Guerrero and Drumright were featured in the segment, along with associate director of athletics Danielle Beam and head coach Elena Pirozhkhova. … rest of story at https://njcugothicknights.com/news/2021/3/3/njcu-womens-wrestling-featured-by-abc7-in-preparation-for-monumental-national-championships.aspx

And Women’s Wrestling Punches Three Tickets to Nationals at Inaugural Competition
ERIE, Pa. — In a monumental day for New Jersey City University, the NJCU women’s wrestling squad made history by becoming the first-ever intercollegiate women’s wrestling program in the state of New Jersey to officially compete in collegiate competition. The Gothic Knights saw an immense amount of success at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) Northeast Regional Qualifier, hosted by Gannon Unviersity on Saturday, Feb. 20, as three individuals punched their tickets to NCWWC Nationals.
In order to qualify for Nationals at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio, on March 6, wrestlers must have placed among the top four in their respective weight classes at regionals — a quartet of Gothic Knight freshmen accomplished that feat on Saturday. Johnae Drumright (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central) was the runner-up at 109 pounds, while Naomi Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Wingate Educational Campus) (130) and captain Sandra Guerrero (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) (191) each placed third. Overall, NJCU was able to amass 61.0 points as a team to place fourth overall out of the seven on the day.

Highlighting the day for the Knights was Drumright’s run to the finals before ultimately falling in the championship bout. Drumright opened her day and career with a dominant 10-0 technical fall over Gannon’s Kennedy Javier. She would then cement her spot at the national tournament with a heart-stopping 10-9 decision in the semi-finals over Tiffin’s Brooke Richards, eventually falling to top seeded Emily Mendez of Adrian College in the championship bout. … rest of story at https://njcugothicknights.com/news/2021/2/20/womens-wrestling-punches-three-tickets-to-nationals-in-inaugural-competition.aspx

8 } – No.1 Women’s Wrestling Qualifies 15 for NCWWC National Championships
(LEBANON, Ill. – Feb. 21) – The No.1 McKendree University women’s wrestling team was the host of this year’s NCWWC Southwest Regional Qualifier Tournament. The Bearcats took first place overall and first in each weight class.
The top-4 wrestlers from each weight class earned a spot in the upcoming NWCCW Championships. No.1 McKendree University took first place of the tournament at 185.9 points, with the most wrestlers qualified – 15 – from the six teams that competed. No.4 Colorado Mesa University took second place with 129.5 points. No.15 Lindenwood University was third with 81 points. T-No.12 Schreiner University placed fourth overall with 44 points. Fontbonne University finished fifth with 18.5 points Westminster College rounded out the tournament in sixth place, with 12.5 points.

Below are the results for the Bearcats:
101-lbs:
No.4 Lizette Rodriguez (Fremont, CA/James Logan) defeated Jennesis Martinez of Colorado Mesa University in a 6-2 decision. Rodriguez faced teammate Granados in the championship round, and won by a 4-3 decision. Rodriguez went 2-0 on the say and finished first. … rest of story at https://mckbearcats.com/news/2021/2/21/no-1-womens-wrestling-qualifies-15-for-ncwwc-national-championships.aspx?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Lady Tigers win back to back Mid-South Conference Championship titles while dominating the field
Bowling Green, KY- Lady Tiger Wrestling wins their second conference championship in a row and third title in four years.
Early on in the day the Lady Tigers were able to control the tone of the championship. “It didn’t feel like we were running on all fours” said Miracle. “We were making fundamental mistakes and which turned into certain losses. But we were able to turn around and wrestle really well in the second half”.  Campbellsville was ranked fourth in the most recent NAIA polls despite beating Life in the regular season 26-18. Overall Campbellsville was able to come away with 207.5 points while top ranked Life University only was able to earn 169 team points followed very closely behind Cumberlands at 158.5 points. 

Campbellsville won key matchups throughout the day against the Running Eagles. A clutch performance from an injured Mia Diaz was one match on the day that was one for the books. Diaz had injury time in one of her early matches and looked like she would not be able to continue. Diaz would end up wrestling in the fifth place matchup in which she won by decision (7-7) with a four point takedown in the final three seconds over Cumberlands Olivia Coyne. Diaz brought in a crucial 10 points for the Lady Tigers from this victory. “That showed a lot of guts by a freshman” said Miracle on Diaz. “It was everything it meant to be a Lady Tiger. Campbell showed a lot of heart and was able to get key falls and she is banged up not at overall at 100%. … rest of story at https://campbellsvilletigers.com/news/2021/2/21/womens-wrestling-lady-tigers-win-back-to-back-mid-south-conference-championship-title-while-dominating-the-field.aspx?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – 2021 NAIA INVITATIONAL RECAP
2021 NAIA Invitational Jamestown, North Dakota March 12-13
Welcome back NAIAs!
This year, the NAIA Invitational should be on it’s third year of championships but since it was cancelled last year, this is the second official year for women’s college wrestling. At the inaugural NAIA Invitational in 2019, California’s Menlo College took the national team title with four individual titles (Alleida Martinez, Solin Piearcy, Marilyn Garcia, and Iman Kazem). Menlo was not present in Jamestown.

This year, The top NAIA team race fell between Campbellsville University, Life University, and Wayland Baptist University. On the November 2020 Rankings, Wayland Baptist came in first with 188 points, Campbellsville second with 176, and Life fourth with 159. But the last January 2021 Rankings put Life at the top with 200 points, Campbellsville second with 168, and Wayland Baptist third with 165. In the end, it was Campbellsville that came out on top with the team title, one national champion, five finalists, … rest of story at https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/2021-naia-invitational-recap/?mc_cid=1e4a49e3cd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Tornado cruise through regionals
FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The King University women’s wrestling team continued their momentum this season into the regional championship. Here they would have seven individual champions and fourteen women place top 4 in the tournament. King accrued 160.5 team points throughout the day for an easy first place finish and over 30 points ahead of second place Emmanuel College.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• At 101 pounds No. 1 Jaclyn McNichols had an easy day with a first round bye straight into the finals. There she would defeat Emmanuel’s Angelina Gomez 4-0 for a first place finish
• No. 2 Aleeah Gould also had a great day at 109 pounds with two 10-0 tech falls moving into the finals. There she would win 6-0 over Presbyterian University’s Cassy Lopez
• Also at 109 pounds, Samantha Larsen manages a third place finish after a semi-final loss with a win by pin in the consolation finals
• Both No. 4 Melanie Mendoza and No. 3 Sophia Mirabella placed at 116 pounds. Mirabella lost an extremely close decision in the semi-finals where she would rally to meet Mirabella in the consolation finals. Here Mirabella would win on criteria by a score of 2-2 for third place … rest of story at http://kingtornado.com/news/2021/2/21/womens-wrestling-women-regional.aspx?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Auggies qualify 13 women’s wrestlers to nationals
AUGSBURG INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Qualifying all 13 of its competitors to the national tournament with six regional titlists, the Augsburg University women’s wrestling team finished second at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships’ Northwest Regional Qualifier on Sunday at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
THE BASICS
FINAL RESULTS: 1. North Central (Ill.) 156.0; 2. Augsburg (Minn.) 146.0; 3. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 115.0; 4. Iowa Wesleyan 65.5; 5. Lakeland (Wis.) 27.0; 6t. Carthage (Wis.) 0.0; 6t. Pacific (Ore.) 0.0.
LOCATION: Quandt Fieldhouse, Stevens Point, Wis.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augsburg, ranked No. 7 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association’s NCAA national rankings, finished with 146.0 points, second to No. 5-ranked North Central (Ill.) in the seven-team regional field. All 13 Augsburg competitors finished among the top four in their weight classes to qualify for the NCWWC National Championships for NCAA-affiliated schools, which will be held March 6 in Tiffin, Ohio. A two-time national champion last season, Shilson is now 5-0 this year and has yet to lose a collegiate match in her career. She is 19-0 with eight pins and nine technical falls in her collegiate career. 
• Top-ranked 109-pounder Emily Shilson (SO, Maple Grove, Minn./Mounds View HS) needed just 1:14 to win her weight class, with a 47-second pin in her opening match and a 27-second, 10-0 technical fall win over Angelina Graff of North Central in the finals.
• Marlynne Deede (SO, Springville, Utah/Springville HS), ranked No. 2 nationally at 155 pounds, scored two technical falls to win her weight lass, with a 10-0, 1:10 win in her opener and a 10-0, 1:57 win over No. 5-ranked Malea Palahniuk of North Central in the finals. An NCWWC All-American with a sixth-place finish at 155 last year, Deede is now 6-1 this season with a pin and four technical falls, and 17-12 in her college career with five pins and nine technical falls.
• No. 4-ranked 130-pounder Gabby Skidmore (SO, Spooner, Wis./Cumberland HS), a two-time All-American last season (second at WCWA, sixth at NCWWC), claimed three wins, with 10-0 technical falls in her opening two matches, to win her weight class. In the finals, she scored a 2-1 victory over No. 2-ranked Amanda Martinez of North Central. Skidmore is now 5-1 on the season with two pins and two technical falls, and 17-7 in her college career with seven pins and five technical falls.
• Kya Rybachek (FY, Mountain Iron, Minn./Hibbing HS) claimed the title at 143 pounds to reach the national tournament, with a 2:51 pin in her semifinal and an 11-0, 4:18 technical fall in the title bout.
• Melissa Jacobs (SO, Belle Plaine, Minn./Belle Plaine HS (Scott West)) earned a trip to the national tournament with the title at 191 pounds, recording a pair of decisions, including a 7-4 win over Tabitha Breitrick of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the finals.
… rest of story at https://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2021/2/21/wwr022121.aspx?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

March 20, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized