NCWWC Preview and Predictions: 109, 116, 123
It might be down to the wire—like the team race is expected to be—but preview 1 (101, 170, 191), 2 (109, 116, 123), and 3 (130, 136, 143, 155) of the first-ever exclusively NCAA postseason event are here!
The National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships take place in Adrian, MI, Friday and Saturday. Wrestling starts at 9am ct, and you can watch it all live via Trackwrestling.
Prelim Brackets: pdf via Track
NWCA Tournament Team Rankings (3.3)
1. Simon Fraser 2. McKendree 3. King 4. Colorado Mesa 4. Emmanuel
109 Pounds
Rankings: 1. Emily Shilson (Augsburg) 2. Tatyana Ortiz (East Stroudsburg) 3. Sugey Ceja (Tiffin)
Predictions: 1. Emily Shilson (Augsburg) 2. Sugey Ceja (Tiffin) 3. Ciera McCrae
Augsburg’s #1 ranked Emily Shilson is the favorite to win the 109-pound weight class. The highly decorated freshman is undefeated this college season. She recently claimed the 109-pound title at the WCWAs, and placed 4th at Senior Nationals in December. Shilson is qualified for the Olympic Team Trials in April.
#2 Tatyana Ortiz is a freshman at the startup program in East Stroudsburg, PA. She’s from Pennsylvania, so she’s helping put down roots in her home state. Ortiz picked up a fall over #3 Sugey Ceja after trailing in the beginning of the match at Tiffin.
#3 ranked Sugey Ceja is one to watch. Shilson won by fall at the WCWAs and National Duals when they met, but the pair also matched at Women’s Nationals a year ago—Shilson won by fall at the end of a match that was close to ending on criteria. Ceja placed 6th at MoVal and 3rd at the Tornado Open, but that was up at 116.
Brooke Thurber (ranked #5) is a senior for the first-year program at UW-Stevens Point. Brooke was already at UWSP, but this year she gets to represent the Pointers on the mats. She’s had a number of successes this season, and placed 3rd at the Bearcat Open and 5th at MoVal.
3 different startup programs and a second year in the mix—109 is going to be fun.
116 Pounds
Rankings: 1. Karla Godinez-Garcia (Simon Fraser) 2. Felicity Taylor (McKendree) 3. Jaclyn Gallegos (Presbyterian)
Predictions: 1. Jaslynn Gallegos (Presbyterian) 2. Karla Godinez-Garcia (Simon Fraser) 3. Felicity Taylor (McKendree)
Simon Fraser’s #1 ranked Karla Godinez-Garcia claimed victory at the Bearcat Open with an impressive tech fall over McKendree’s #2 Felicity Taylor. Taylor is for sure still vying for a shot at the top spot, though. The Iowa native placed 6th at Senior Nationals in December, and also represented Team USA at the U23 World Championships this past fall in Budapest.
#3 ranked Jaslynn Gallegos is part of the startup program at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina—the only NCAA Div. I program to sponsor women’s wrestling. She recently won WCWA’s by technical fall over #1 NAIA ranked Katlyn Pizzo (Campbellsville). Gallegos placed 7th at Senior Nationals and wrestled at the Bill Farrell International in November.
123 Pounds
Rankings: Cheyenne Sisenstein (King) 2. Alex Hedrick (Simon Fraser) 3. Marisa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa)
Predictions: Cheyenne Sisenstein (King) 2. Alex Hedrick (Simon Fraser) 3. Marisa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa)
King’s #1 ranked Cheyenne Sisenstein took out NAIA #1 ranked Tiana Jackson (Menlo) to claim back-to-back MoVal titles in 2019 and 2018. She also placed 7th at the 2019 WCWAs as a freshman . . . with a broken ankle.
Simon Fraser’s Alex Hedrick placed 2nd at the WCWAs in both 2018 and 2019—she was runner-up only to teammate and national team member Dom Parrish. Hedrick recently placed 5th at Senior Nationals and is qualified to compete at the Olympic Team Trials.
Freshman Marrissa Gallegos (ranked #3 for Colorado Mesa) and Vayle Rae-Baker (ranked #4 for Augsburg) should make a great match if they meet. Gallegos placed 5th at MoVal and Baker placed 4th. Gallegos represents her home state in Colorado, and Baker has brought East Coast talent to the Mid-West.
Full NCWWC Previews: (101, 170, 191), (109, 116, 123), (130, 136, 143, 155)
Tournament Information
Participating Teams
Adrian College, Augsburg University, Colorado Mesa University, East Stroudsburg University, Emmanuel College, Ferrum College, Fontbonne University, Gannon University, King University, Lakeland University, Limestone College, Lindenwood University, Lock Haven University, MacMurray College, McKendree University, North Central College, Pacific University, Presbyterian College, Schreiner University, Simon Fraser University, Tiffin University, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Westminster College
Teams can wrestle up to 15 athletes. 1 wrestler per weight can score team points, no more than two athletes can be entered at a weight, and teammates at the same weight can only score advancement points against each other. Weights are placed through top 8.
Team Points
Advancement Points: (+1) championship side; (+0.5) consolation side; points awarded for bye’s if the wrestler wins following round
Bonus Points: (+2) Fall, DQ, FF, DF; (+1.5) tech falls
Placement Points: (+16) 1st; (+12) 2nd; (+10) 3rd; (+9) 4th; (+7) 5th; (+6) 6th; (+4) 7th; (+3) 8th
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