With five champs, McKendree wins first National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships at Adrian College
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by Tony Black, USA Wrestling
The McKendree Bearcats pose as the first team champions at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships.
Adrian, Mich – Following a rousing address provided by U.S. Marine Corps Colonel David Fallon, which ended with Colonel Fallon encouraging the athletes “Let’s get it on,” the historic finals of the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships commenced.
The first champion crowned at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship was Jessika Rottier, the lone finalist from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She boat raced Yelena Makoyed of North Central College, winning 11-0 by technical superiority in the first period to win the title at 170 pounds. It was her second career college national title, after winning a 2017 WCWA Nationals crown when she attended the University of the Cumberlands
Not to be outdone by Rottier, Sydnee Kimber from McKendree University made quick work of Tavi Heidelberg at 191 pounds, winning 10-0. The Sitka, Alaska native’s title nearly locked up the team title for McKendree, as their lead over Simon Fraser grew to 10.5 points with the victory.
Fireworks were quickly seen in the finals at 101 pounds, as Pauline Granados opened the scoring with a 5-point throw to bring the crowd to their feet. Granados became the second McKendree Bearcat to win a title, beating Iesha Washington of Emmanuel College, 5-1.
At 109 pounds, Augsburg University’s Emily Shilson scored a first period fall with a headlock over Sugey Ceja of Tiffin University. Shilson, one of the more decorated American age-level competitors, is a freshman at Augsburg, a team competing in its inaugural season in women’s wrestling. With two victories by technical fall and two by fall, Shilson was voted as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Simon Fraser standout Karla Godinez Gonzalez took home the title at 116 pounds. Godinez Gonzalez, who placed fifth at the 2019 U23 World Championships for Canada, scored three takedowns over McKendree’s Felicity Taylor en route to her 7-0 victory. She outscored her four opponents by score of 37-0.
The crowd of over 500 was treated to a dandy at 123 pounds, as Alexandra Hedrick of Simon Fraser and Cheyenne Sisenstein of King, traded points for four minutes. Hedrick led 6-2 at the end of the first period, and was leading 8-4 at the time of her fall.
The champion at 130 pounds was Alexia Ward from McKendree, as she knocked off Amanda Martinez from North Central College. While leading 2-2 on criteria, Ward scored the final takedown in the closing seconds to win the match 4-2. The title by Ward locked up the team title for the McKendree Bearcats.
McKendree’s Emma Bruntil dominated Colorado Mesa University’s Dalia Garibay in the 136 pound finals, winning 10-0. Bruntil opened the scoring with a 4 point maneuver from a single leg and never slowed down from there on her way to the technical fall. Bruntil is a reigning U.S. Senior Nationals champion.
In a match featuring previous age-level World medalists, Simon Fraser’s Ana Godinez Gonzalez overmatched McKendree’s Alara Boyd at 143 pounds. In the 10-0 drumming, Godinez Gonzalez displayed dominance on their feet and while in par terre, as she scored three takedowns and two turns.
In the final bout of the tournament, Alexandria Glaude of McKendree narrowly beat Jayden Laurent of Lakeland, 3-1 at 155 pounds. After both wrestlers scored passivity points, Glaude kept constant pressure and scored on two step outs in the last minute to become McKendree’s fifth champion on the day. Both Glaude and Laurent are members of the Senior Women’s National Team, and both were WCWA national champions in 2019.
The first ever championship for NCAA institutions was hosted by Adrian College in Adrian, Mich. Adrian athletic director Mike Duffy served as the tournament organizer, and was assisted by many Adrian staff and volunteers.
Sam Schmitz, head coach of team champion McKendree University, was voted by his peers as the Coach of the Year for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships.
The winner of the Gorriaran Award for most falls in the least amount of time was Emily Se of Emmanuel College. Se pinned four of her opponents in 7:01.
Many of the American wrestlers who competed on the weekend will be wrestling later this month at the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier in Millersville, Pennsylvania. Similarly, top Canadian athletes will return to the mat at the Canadian Championships in London, Ontario.
Archived footage from all matches can be viewed at www.trackwrestling.com
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WOMEN’S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Adrian College, Adrian, Mich., March 6-7
101 pounds
1st - Pauline Granados (McKendree University) Fr. dec. Iesha Washington (Emmanuel College) Sr., 5-1
3rd - Jennesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa University) Fr. dec. Jaclyn McNichols (King University) So., 2-1
5th - Trinity Oredina (Tiffin University) So. tech. fall Alisha Elizalde (Ferrum College) Sr., 13-2, 5:37
7th - Alice Todryk (UW-Stevens Point) Fr. tech. fall Johnvanique Porter (MacMurray College) Fr. 10-0, 1:42
109
1st - Emily Shilson (Augsburg University) Fr. pin Sugey Ceja (Tiffin University) Fr., 0:43
3rd - Brooke Thurber (UW-Stevens Point) Jr. over Tatyanna Ortiz (East Stroudsburg University) 4-2, Fr. (TF-1.5 0:55 (10-0))
5th - Aleeah Gould (King University) Jr. dec. Ciara McCrae (Simon Fraser University) Jr., 12-6
7th - Natalie Reyna (McKendree University) 12-8, So. over Allicia Mahoe (Schreiner University) 12-8, Fr. (TF-1.5 5:31 (10-0))
116
1st - Karla Godinez Gonzalez (Simon Fraser University) Jr. dec. Felicity Taylor (McKendree University) So., 7-0
3rd - Emily Se (Emmanuel College) Fr. pin Jaslynn Gallegos (Presbyterian College) Fr., 3:18
5th - Valerilla Mamleeva (Lindenwood University) So. pin Maddie Ruckdashel (Lakeland University) So., 3:48
7th - Anja Tschohl (Colorado Mesa University) Fr. tech. fall Shanna Morris (Tiffin University) So. , 10-0, 0:57
123
1st Place Match
Alexandra Hedrick (Simon Fraser University) Jr. pin Cheyenne Sisenstein (King University) So., 4:53
3rd - Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa University) So. tech. fall Phoenix Dubose (King University) Fr., 14-2, 4:48
5th - Asia Nguyen-Smith (North Central College) Fr. dec. Vayle Baker (Augsburg University) Fr., 8-2
7th - Theresa Rankin (McKendree University) Jr. inj. dft. Payton Stroud (McKendree University) Fr., 0:00
130
1st - Alexia Ward (McKendree University) Sr. dec. Amanda Martinez (North Central College) Jr., 4-2
3rd - Nicole Depa (Simon Fraser University) Sr. tech. fall Cindy Zepeda (Colorado Mesa University) Fr., 12-2, 4:47 5th - Allison Petix (King University) Jr. dec. Gabby Skidmore (Augsburg University) Fr., 8-2
7th - Alyssa Aceval (King University) So. dec. Eunique Davis (Tiffin University) So., 8-6
136
1st - Emma Bruntil (McKendree University) Fr. tech. fall Dalia Garibay (Colorado Mesa University) Fr., 10-0, 3:31
3rd - Lauren Mason (Simon Fraser University) Jr. dec. Ana Luciano (King University) So., 6-2
5th - Zoe Nowicki (Adrian College) So. pin Julia Padilla (Emmanuel College) So., 5:33
7th - Mia Dow (MacMurray College) Jr. dec. Megan Struble (UW-Stevens Point) Fr., 6-0
143
1st - Ana Godinez Gonzalez (Simon Fraser University) Jr. tech. fall Alara Boyd (McKendree University) Fr., 10-0, 4:06
3rd - Ashlynn Ortega (King University) So. dec. Sara Brinkac (Simon Fraser University) So., 7-0
5th - Morgan Norris (Presbyterian College) Fr. dec. Alma Mendoza (Colorado Mesa University) So., 5-3
7th - Julianna Moreno (MacMurray College) Fr. pin Kaylee Lacy (Colorado Mesa University) So., 3:15
155
1st - Alexandria Glaude (McKendree University) 8-1, RS Sr. over Jayden Laurent (Lakeland University), So., 3-1
3rd - Alyvia Fiske (Simon Fraser University) Jr. dec. Joye Levendusky (McKendree University) So., 5-0
5th - Annabelle Helm (Gannon University) Fr. pin Marlynne Deede (Augsburg University) Fr., 2:00
7th - Taylor Hites (Tiffin University) So. dec. Malea Palahniuk (North Central College) Fr., 8-0
170
1st - Jessika Rottier (University Of Wisconsin At Stevens Point) 13-2, RS Jr. over Yelena Makoyed (North Central College) 26-3, Fr. (TF-1.5 2:40 (11-0))
3rd - Emily Cue (Simon Fraser University) So. tech. fall Nia Crosdale (King University) So., 14-1, 3:13
5th - Korinahe Bullock (McKendree University) Jr. inj. dft. Andrea Sennett (McKendree University) Jr., 0:00
7th - Rebekah Trudel (Simon Fraser University) Jr. over Mikayla Mata (Schreiner University) 14-10, Fr. (TF-1.5 1:16 (10-0))
191
1st - Sydnee Kimber (McKendree University) 14-1, So. over Tavi Heidelberg (King University) 2-1, Fr. (TF-1.5 2:23 (10-0))
3rd - Serena Woldring (Simon Fraser University) So. tech. fall Cristina Santoyo (Emmanuel College) Fr., 11-0, 4:05
5th - Jessie Lee (Tiffin University) Jr. pin Kendall McGarity (Gannon University) Fr., 2:54
7th - Kaylee Seabolt (Emmanuel College) So. pin Angelina Kirkpatrick (North Central College) Fr., 0:13
Outstanding Wrestler - Emily Shilson (Augsburg), 109 pounds
Most Falls - Emily Se (Emmanuel), 4 pins in 7:01
Coach of the Year - Sam Schmitz (McKendree)
Team Standings
1 McKendree University, 191.0
2 Simon Fraser University, 178.5
3 King University, 123.0
4 Colorado Mesa University, 92.5
5 Emmanuel College, 86.0
6 North Central College, 70.0
7 Tiffin University, 69.0
8 University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, 68.0
9 Augsburg University, 65.0
10 Presbyterian College, 52.0
11 Gannon University, 34.5
12 Lakeland University, 30.5
13 Adrian College, 28.0
14 Lindenwood University, 25.0
15 MacMurray College, 24.0
16 Ferrum College, 23.0
17 East Stroudsburg University, 22.0
18 Schreiner University, 17.0
19 Limestone College, 8.5
Adrian, Mich – Following a rousing address provided by U.S. Marine Corps Colonel David Fallon, which ended with Colonel Fallon encouraging the athletes “Let’s get it on,” the historic finals of the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships commenced.
The first champion crowned at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship was Jessika Rottier, the lone finalist from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She boat raced Yelena Makoyed of North Central College, winning 11-0 by technical superiority in the first period to win the title at 170 pounds. It was her second career college national title, after winning a 2017 WCWA Nationals crown when she attended the University of the Cumberlands
Not to be outdone by Rottier, Sydnee Kimber from McKendree University made quick work of Tavi Heidelberg at 191 pounds, winning 10-0. The Sitka, Alaska native’s title nearly locked up the team title for McKendree, as their lead over Simon Fraser grew to 10.5 points with the victory.
Fireworks were quickly seen in the finals at 101 pounds, as Pauline Granados opened the scoring with a 5-point throw to bring the crowd to their feet. Granados became the second McKendree Bearcat to win a title, beating Iesha Washington of Emmanuel College, 5-1.
At 109 pounds, Augsburg University’s Emily Shilson scored a first period fall with a headlock over Sugey Ceja of Tiffin University. Shilson, one of the more decorated American age-level competitors, is a freshman at Augsburg, a team competing in its inaugural season in women’s wrestling. With two victories by technical fall and two by fall, Shilson was voted as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Simon Fraser standout Karla Godinez Gonzalez took home the title at 116 pounds. Godinez Gonzalez, who placed fifth at the 2019 U23 World Championships for Canada, scored three takedowns over McKendree’s Felicity Taylor en route to her 7-0 victory. She outscored her four opponents by score of 37-0.
The crowd of over 500 was treated to a dandy at 123 pounds, as Alexandra Hedrick of Simon Fraser and Cheyenne Sisenstein of King, traded points for four minutes. Hedrick led 6-2 at the end of the first period, and was leading 8-4 at the time of her fall.
The champion at 130 pounds was Alexia Ward from McKendree, as she knocked off Amanda Martinez from North Central College. While leading 2-2 on criteria, Ward scored the final takedown in the closing seconds to win the match 4-2. The title by Ward locked up the team title for the McKendree Bearcats.
McKendree’s Emma Bruntil dominated Colorado Mesa University’s Dalia Garibay in the 136 pound finals, winning 10-0. Bruntil opened the scoring with a 4 point maneuver from a single leg and never slowed down from there on her way to the technical fall. Bruntil is a reigning U.S. Senior Nationals champion.
In a match featuring previous age-level World medalists, Simon Fraser’s Ana Godinez Gonzalez overmatched McKendree’s Alara Boyd at 143 pounds. In the 10-0 drumming, Godinez Gonzalez displayed dominance on their feet and while in par terre, as she scored three takedowns and two turns.
In the final bout of the tournament, Alexandria Glaude of McKendree narrowly beat Jayden Laurent of Lakeland, 3-1 at 155 pounds. After both wrestlers scored passivity points, Glaude kept constant pressure and scored on two step outs in the last minute to become McKendree’s fifth champion on the day. Both Glaude and Laurent are members of the Senior Women’s National Team, and both were WCWA national champions in 2019.
The first ever championship for NCAA institutions was hosted by Adrian College in Adrian, Mich. Adrian athletic director Mike Duffy served as the tournament organizer, and was assisted by many Adrian staff and volunteers.
Sam Schmitz, head coach of team champion McKendree University, was voted by his peers as the Coach of the Year for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships.
The winner of the Gorriaran Award for most falls in the least amount of time was Emily Se of Emmanuel College. Se pinned four of her opponents in 7:01.
Many of the American wrestlers who competed on the weekend will be wrestling later this month at the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier in Millersville, Pennsylvania. Similarly, top Canadian athletes will return to the mat at the Canadian Championships in London, Ontario.
Archived footage from all matches can be viewed at www.trackwrestling.com
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WOMEN’S WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Adrian College, Adrian, Mich., March 6-7
101 pounds
1st - Pauline Granados (McKendree University) Fr. dec. Iesha Washington (Emmanuel College) Sr., 5-1
3rd - Jennesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa University) Fr. dec. Jaclyn McNichols (King University) So., 2-1
5th - Trinity Oredina (Tiffin University) So. tech. fall Alisha Elizalde (Ferrum College) Sr., 13-2, 5:37
7th - Alice Todryk (UW-Stevens Point) Fr. tech. fall Johnvanique Porter (MacMurray College) Fr. 10-0, 1:42
109
1st - Emily Shilson (Augsburg University) Fr. pin Sugey Ceja (Tiffin University) Fr., 0:43
3rd - Brooke Thurber (UW-Stevens Point) Jr. over Tatyanna Ortiz (East Stroudsburg University) 4-2, Fr. (TF-1.5 0:55 (10-0))
5th - Aleeah Gould (King University) Jr. dec. Ciara McCrae (Simon Fraser University) Jr., 12-6
7th - Natalie Reyna (McKendree University) 12-8, So. over Allicia Mahoe (Schreiner University) 12-8, Fr. (TF-1.5 5:31 (10-0))
116
1st - Karla Godinez Gonzalez (Simon Fraser University) Jr. dec. Felicity Taylor (McKendree University) So., 7-0
3rd - Emily Se (Emmanuel College) Fr. pin Jaslynn Gallegos (Presbyterian College) Fr., 3:18
5th - Valerilla Mamleeva (Lindenwood University) So. pin Maddie Ruckdashel (Lakeland University) So., 3:48
7th - Anja Tschohl (Colorado Mesa University) Fr. tech. fall Shanna Morris (Tiffin University) So. , 10-0, 0:57
123
1st Place Match
Alexandra Hedrick (Simon Fraser University) Jr. pin Cheyenne Sisenstein (King University) So., 4:53
3rd - Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa University) So. tech. fall Phoenix Dubose (King University) Fr., 14-2, 4:48
5th - Asia Nguyen-Smith (North Central College) Fr. dec. Vayle Baker (Augsburg University) Fr., 8-2
7th - Theresa Rankin (McKendree University) Jr. inj. dft. Payton Stroud (McKendree University) Fr., 0:00
130
1st - Alexia Ward (McKendree University) Sr. dec. Amanda Martinez (North Central College) Jr., 4-2
3rd - Nicole Depa (Simon Fraser University) Sr. tech. fall Cindy Zepeda (Colorado Mesa University) Fr., 12-2, 4:47 5th - Allison Petix (King University) Jr. dec. Gabby Skidmore (Augsburg University) Fr., 8-2
7th - Alyssa Aceval (King University) So. dec. Eunique Davis (Tiffin University) So., 8-6
136
1st - Emma Bruntil (McKendree University) Fr. tech. fall Dalia Garibay (Colorado Mesa University) Fr., 10-0, 3:31
3rd - Lauren Mason (Simon Fraser University) Jr. dec. Ana Luciano (King University) So., 6-2
5th - Zoe Nowicki (Adrian College) So. pin Julia Padilla (Emmanuel College) So., 5:33
7th - Mia Dow (MacMurray College) Jr. dec. Megan Struble (UW-Stevens Point) Fr., 6-0
143
1st - Ana Godinez Gonzalez (Simon Fraser University) Jr. tech. fall Alara Boyd (McKendree University) Fr., 10-0, 4:06
3rd - Ashlynn Ortega (King University) So. dec. Sara Brinkac (Simon Fraser University) So., 7-0
5th - Morgan Norris (Presbyterian College) Fr. dec. Alma Mendoza (Colorado Mesa University) So., 5-3
7th - Julianna Moreno (MacMurray College) Fr. pin Kaylee Lacy (Colorado Mesa University) So., 3:15
155
1st - Alexandria Glaude (McKendree University) 8-1, RS Sr. over Jayden Laurent (Lakeland University), So., 3-1
3rd - Alyvia Fiske (Simon Fraser University) Jr. dec. Joye Levendusky (McKendree University) So., 5-0
5th - Annabelle Helm (Gannon University) Fr. pin Marlynne Deede (Augsburg University) Fr., 2:00
7th - Taylor Hites (Tiffin University) So. dec. Malea Palahniuk (North Central College) Fr., 8-0
170
1st - Jessika Rottier (University Of Wisconsin At Stevens Point) 13-2, RS Jr. over Yelena Makoyed (North Central College) 26-3, Fr. (TF-1.5 2:40 (11-0))
3rd - Emily Cue (Simon Fraser University) So. tech. fall Nia Crosdale (King University) So., 14-1, 3:13
5th - Korinahe Bullock (McKendree University) Jr. inj. dft. Andrea Sennett (McKendree University) Jr., 0:00
7th - Rebekah Trudel (Simon Fraser University) Jr. over Mikayla Mata (Schreiner University) 14-10, Fr. (TF-1.5 1:16 (10-0))
191
1st - Sydnee Kimber (McKendree University) 14-1, So. over Tavi Heidelberg (King University) 2-1, Fr. (TF-1.5 2:23 (10-0))
3rd - Serena Woldring (Simon Fraser University) So. tech. fall Cristina Santoyo (Emmanuel College) Fr., 11-0, 4:05
5th - Jessie Lee (Tiffin University) Jr. pin Kendall McGarity (Gannon University) Fr., 2:54
7th - Kaylee Seabolt (Emmanuel College) So. pin Angelina Kirkpatrick (North Central College) Fr., 0:13
Outstanding Wrestler - Emily Shilson (Augsburg), 109 pounds
Most Falls - Emily Se (Emmanuel), 4 pins in 7:01
Coach of the Year - Sam Schmitz (McKendree)
Team Standings
1 McKendree University, 191.0
2 Simon Fraser University, 178.5
3 King University, 123.0
4 Colorado Mesa University, 92.5
5 Emmanuel College, 86.0
6 North Central College, 70.0
7 Tiffin University, 69.0
8 University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, 68.0
9 Augsburg University, 65.0
10 Presbyterian College, 52.0
11 Gannon University, 34.5
12 Lakeland University, 30.5
13 Adrian College, 28.0
14 Lindenwood University, 25.0
15 MacMurray College, 24.0
16 Ferrum College, 23.0
17 East Stroudsburg University, 22.0
18 Schreiner University, 17.0
19 Limestone College, 8.5
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