Five programs with individual champs at Adrian Open, Bulldogs capture team title
ADRIAN, M.I. – – Adrian, Lindenwood, North Central, Gannon and UW-Stevens Point crowned individual champions at the Adrian College Women’s Open. In the mix of 7 teams and 64 wrestlers, Adrian edged out Lindenwood and North Central for the team title with 105.5 points.
Team Scores
1. Adrian College (105.5)
2. Lindenwood University (98.5)
3. North Central College (98)
4. Gannon University (83)
5. MacMurray College (72.5)
6. UW-Stevens Point (34.5)
7. Lakeland University (15.5)
Finals
101: round-robin Chrsytal Raine (Gannon) 2-0, Madison Alvarado (Lindenwood) 1-1
109: Nikoly Dos Santos (Gannon) vsu Jocelyn Hernandez (MacMurray) 13-2 (2:32)
116: Brooke Thurber (UW-Stevens Point) vsu Abby Nelson (UW-Stevens Point) 13-0 (1:35)
123: Jasmine Ward (Lindenwood University) vfa Brittney Wolgast (Adrian) 4:06
130: Asia Nguyen-Smith (North Central) vsu Amanda Martinez (North Central) 11-1 (4:14)
136: Zoe Nowicki (Adrian) vsu Rachel Koostra (Lindenwood) 10-0 (0:35)
143: Megan Vondrasek (Adrian) vfa MacKenzie Matta (Adrian) (2:47)
155: Annabelle Helm (Gannon) vfa Kim Nunez (North Central) (1:57)
170: Yelena Makoyed (North Central) vfa Maya Shimizu (Lindenwood) (0:38)
191: round-robin Valerie Gayton (Lindenwood) 2-0, Kendall McGarity (Gannon) 1-2
Final Brackets: pdf via Track Wrestling
Adrian’s Team Win & Two Champs
“It was a good day to be a Bulldog,” said Coach Cliff Cushard. “All 10 of our competitors placed. We made some minor mistakes last week, worked on correcting them this past week and came out today doing exactly what we worked on. As a coach, it’s great to have a coachable team.”
Adrian’s Zoe Nowicki (so-136) cruised through the tournament—she finished with two falls and a tech in the finals. Cushard said, “She came out on fire today and the final was no exception. A quick powerful takedown led to four guts for the tech fall victory.” Nowicki only wrestled a total of 3 minutes and 33 seconds—making her record an undefeated 4-0.
“We also had an all Adrian final at 143. That’s one of those things you both love and hate as a coach. It’s great they both made it, but it also sucks that one has to lose. Megan Vondrasek (fr-143) came out on top this time. She’s an exciting wrestler and I’m really looking forward to watching her progress throughout the season.”
Gannon’s Three Champs
Gannon had three individual champions, a runner up, and two third-placers. Annabelle Helm (fr-155) and Nikoly Dos Santos (fr-109) remain undefeated, and teammate Chrystal Raine (fr-101) joined them with her season debut, securing a pair of wins. Helm’s closest match was a 6-4 victory by points in the semifinals over North Central’s Malea Palahniuk (fr-155).
“Dos Santos and Helm have been very consistent in getting wins,” said Coach Dierken. “Chrystal Raine really came out and showed us what she can do! It was exciting to watch her wrestle . . . it was a great first tournament of the season to get out there and try what we are working on in the room. We have a very young team, our team is wrestling tough and lifting each other up and holding each other accountable as much as possible.”
North Central & UW-Stevens Point Program Debut
North Central College and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point both had champions in their first competition, ever.
“It was an awesome experience for us,” said NCC Coach Joe Norton. Our women did an excellent job of going out and executing the techniques and strategies we have been working on in practice. We still have many areas to improve on, but it was a great start and something to build off of. Having two individual champions and four girls make the finals at our first tournament in program history certainly bodes well for our future!”
The Cardinals had teammates pitted against each other in the 130-pound final, and it was Asia Nguyen-Smith (fr-130) that defeated Amanda Martinez (fr-130) with an 11-0 tech. Yelena Makoyed (fr-170) won her first match by injury and proceeded to pick up consecutive falls against Gannon’s Amara Devericks and Lindenwood’s Maya Schimizu to win in the finals. Kim Nunez (fr-155) battled to the finals where she fell to Gannon’s Annabelle Helm.
UW-Stevens Point had an all Pointers final at 116 pounds. Brooke Thurber (jr-116) picked up two falls prior to meeting teammate Abby Nelson (fr-116) in the finals where she prevailed with a 13-0 tech. Nelson picked up a fall and tech of her own prior to the finals.
“I was happy with the way our women competed,” said Pointers Coach Johnny Johnson. “It’s great to get some matches and see where we are. Brooke and Abby both wrestled tough. I think they will all improve a lot as the season progresses.”
Lindenwood ‘s Two Champs, Five Finalists
Lindenwood’s second place team finish was highlighted by two freshman wrestlers winning the tournament outright. Jasmine Ward (fr-123) picked up a tech and two falls on her way to winning the tournament, while teammate Valerie Gayton (fr-191) won both of her round-robin matches. Madison Alvarado (jr-101), Rachel Koostra (fr-136) and Maya Shimizu (sr-170) all finished second.
MacMurray’s Jocelyn Hernandez (fr-109) picked up two falls on her way to the finals before dropping the championship match to Gannon’s Nikoly Dos Santos (fr-109). Lakeland’s Madison Ruckdashel (so-123) dropped her first match, but turned the day around with two back-to-back falls, securing a third-place finish for the Muskies.
Program Recaps: Adrian, North Central, Gannon, MacMurray, UW-Stevens Point
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