28 nationally ranked teams headline massive Missouri Valley Women’s Open this weekend
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Known as one of the largest and most challenge women’s college wrestling events, the 2024 Missouri Valley Women’s Open will feature 28 nationally ranked teams and dozens of nationally ranked individuals.
With more than 700 entries, this two-day extravaganza will be held at the Burns Athletic Complex at Missouri Valley College on Friday and Saturday. The event will feature the new women’s college weight classes, and will have a huge impact on the team and individual national rankings for the NCAA, the NAIA and the NJCAA.
Of the 28 ranked college teams, there are 15 teams which are ranked in the top 10 of their division.
Six of the top 10 NAIA teams are entered, No. 1 Grand View, No. 4 University of the Cumberlands, No. 6 William Penn, No. 7 Campbellsville, No. 9 Missouri Valley College and No. 10 Texas Wesleyan.
Five of the top 10 NCAA teams will compete: No. 1 Iowa, No. 4 Grand Valley State, No. 5 McKendree, No. 7 Colorado Mesa and No. 8 Lindenwood.
The four NJCAA teams in the top 10 which are entered are No. 2 Carl Albert State, No. 5 Southeast CC, No. 6 Iowa Central CC and No. 10 Iowa Lakes CC. Also entered is the No. 4 ranked team from USports in Canada, the University of Alberta.
Last year, the University of Iowa led the field with six champions. Iowa returns two Missouri Valley Open champions, Brianna Gonzalez (117) and Samantha Calkins (207), the only two champions from 2023 who are entered.
Returning Missouri Valley Open runners-up in the field are Emilie Gonzalez of Iowa (110), Ava Bayless of Iowa (110), Gianna Moreno of Friends (138), Madison Sandquist of Sacred Heart (180), Alivia White of Iowa (207) and Isabeau Shalack of Colorado Mesa (207).
The eight No. 1 ranked college wrestlers in the field include Rianne Murphy of Iowa (NCAA No. 1 at 103), Ava Bayless of Iowa (NCAA No. 1 at 110), Jaycee Foeller of Iowa (NCAA No. 1 at 207), Camille Fournier of Texas Wesleyan (NAIA No. 1 at 117), Kelani Corbett of Missouri Valley (207), Calli Connally of Carl Albert State (NJCAA No. 1 at 103), Alexis Ross of Iowa Central CC (NJCAA No. 1 at 138) and Vianne Rouleau of Alberta (USports No. 1 at 72 kg).
As has been a tradition in recent seasons, a number of talented high school wrestlers will test the waters against the college athletes. Valiant College Prep will bring five athletes, four who are in the National Girls High School Rankings. There are two No. 1 ranked high school wrestlers in the preliminary rosters, Jaclyn Bouzakis of Pennsylvania (103) and Bella Williams of Oklahoma (131).
Wrestling begins on Friday at 12:00 noon CT, with action resuming on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. CT. Tickets are available at the door, with prices at $12 for adults and $5 for students.
Watch live on FloWrestling Check out brackets at TrackWrestling
MISSOURI VALLEY WOMEN’S OPEN
At Marshall, Mo., November 22-23
Ranked NCAA teams
No. 1 Iowa
No. 4 Grand Valley State
No. 5 McKendree
No. 7 Colorado Mesa
No. 8 Lindenwood
No. 13 Emmanuel
No. 14 Sacred Heart
No. 24 Tiffin
No. 25 William Jewell
Ranked NAIA teams
No. 1 Grand View
No. 4 University of the Cumberlands
No. 6 William Penn
No. 7 Campbellsville
No. 9 Missouri Valley College
No. 10 Texas Wesleyan
No. 11 Ottawa
No. 12 Baker
No. 14 Oklahoma City
No. 15 Midland
No. 17 Wayland Baptist
No. 18 Lindsey Wilson
No. 19 Missouri Baptist
No. 20 Hastings
Ranked NJCAA teams
No. 2 Carl Albert State
No. 5 Southeast CC
No. 6 Iowa Central Community College
No. 10 Iowa Lakes Community College
USports (Canada)
No. 4 University of Alberta
High School
Valiant College Prep
Other NCAA teams
Central College
Chadron State
Fort Hays State
Quincy
Texas Woman’s
Westminster
Other NAIA teams
Avila
Central Christian
Dakota Wesleyan
Friends
Jarvis Christian
Morningside
University of St. Mary
York University
Other NJCAA teams
Hawkeye Community College
Clubs
Oklahoma State
Grand View Wrestling Club
*** Plus numerous unattached athletes
2023 MISSOURI VALLEY WOMEN’S OPEN FINALS
101 pounds - Sterling Dias (Iowa) won by decision over Emilie Gonzalez (Iowa) (Dec 6-6)
109 pounds- Mia Palumbo (William Penn) won by decision over Ava Bayless (Iowa) (Dec 2-1)
116 pounds - Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa) won by decision over Salyna Shotwell (McKendree University) (Dec 8-0)
123 pounds - Felicity Taylor (Iowa) won by decision over Sophia Smith (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 8-0)
130 pounds- Carolina Moreno (Southern Oregon University) won by decision over Elizabeth Duvall (Texas Wesleyan) (Dec 6-2)
136 pounds - Esther Han (Iowa) won by fall over Gianna Moreno (Friends University) (Fall 4:18)
143 pounds - Reese Larramendy (Iowa) won by decision over Mea Mohler (Texas Wesleyan) (Dec 5-1)
155 pounds - Caitlyn Davis (Southern Oregon University) won by decision over Madison Sandquist (Sacred Heart) (Dec 7-2)
170 pounds - Dymond Guilford (Unattached - California) won by decision over Kylie Welker (Iowa) (Dec 4-2)
191 pounds - Julia Richey (Simon Fraser University) won by tech fall over Alivia White (Iowa) (TF 12-0)
235 pounds - Samantha Calkins (Iowa) won by decision over Isabeau Shalack (Colorado Mesa) (Dec 5-2)
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