Semifinal match-ups set for NCWWC, plus other notes from Michigan
Adrian, MI – – Day one of the historic National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships is in the books. It wasn’t really a matter of if, but when. Today was a must, a step forward in the progress toward championship status for women’s wrestling. The sport will be classified an NCAA Emerging Sport on August 1, 2020.
King University Assistant Coach and Wrestle Like A Girl representative, Julia Salata, shared the following in an interview with TrackWrestling: “There was a point when it seemed kind of unfathomable. We knew it was going to get there eventually, but it seemed so far off, and then to be here for this moment . . . I’m really proud to be a part of it.” Her perspective is pretty special—she was part of King’s program in its first year and has been involved with the program since.
The Competition
4 of the top 5 teams at the WCWA National Championships in 2019 are NCAA programs, and all 4 of those teams are competing in Adrian this weekend.
The draw might come down to who performs well on the backside of the brackets, as diversified talent across new and strengthening programs keeps the team race alive and well.
When McKendree Head Coach Sam Schmitz was asked if he talks about winning a team title, his response was, “ . . . we’re just here to wrestle.” McKendree leads by 13 points and advanced 9 to the semifinals: Felicity Taylor (116), Alexia Ward (130), Emma Bruntil (136), Alara Boyd (143), Alex Glaude (155), Joye Levendusky (155), Kori Bullock (170), Andrea Sennett (170) and Sydnee Kimber (191). At 155 and 170, the McKendree wrestlers won’t be able to score any bonus points against each other as teammates.
Simon Fraser came in ranked #1, and is keeping it close. Head Coach Justin Abdou said, “ . . . it would be a real feather in our cap,” but he also noted that he likes the rankings that come out Sunday morning. The SFU Clan is here to work. Right now they’ve got 7 semifinalists: Ciera McCrae (109), Karla Godinez-Gonzalez (116), Alex Hedrick (123), Lauren Mason (136), Ana Godinez-Gonzalez (143), Sara Brinkac (143) and Alyvia Fiske (155).
Augsburg freshman Gabby Skidmore had a huge upset over #1 ranked Nicole Depa in the quarterfinals. Skidmore came in ranked #8, and will wrestle Alexia Ward (McKendree) in the pursuit of a finals matchup. If she makes the finals it will be her second postseason championship finals this season—she was runner-up at the WCWAs to NAIA #1 Abby Nette. Emily Shilson is also in the semis for the Auggies.
Allison Petix put together a super impressive comeback in her quarterfinals match at 130 pounds—she was down by 8 before scoring 12 points in 90 seconds. King has 7 other wrestlers in the semis. Ashlyn Ortega is simply on fire this season; she’ll have a tough match vs McKendree’s Alara Boyd in the semis. Ana Luciano advanced over Adrian’s Zoe Nowicki at 136, a match that could have gone either way but will for sure have implications on the placement rounds.
Colorado Mesa’s program seems to consistently gain momentum over time. The young team of Mavericks are making a name for themselves, win or lose. Freshman Cindy Zepeda was up 8-0 a minute into the second period against King’s accomplished Petix in the quarterfinals. She dropped the match 12-9, but still. Zepeda is in the fight for 3rd. On top of that, Colorado Mesa has three freshman in the semis: Dalia Garibay (136), Genesis Martinez (101) and Marissa Gallegos (123).
Sugey Ceja has a chance to break through into the finals for Tiffin at 109, and is joined in the semis by teammate Jessie Lee (191). North Central’s Yelena Makoyed (170) and Amanda Martinez (130) continue to impress, leading the Cardinals into the semis for the first time in program history, and Emmanuel’s Iesha Washington (109), Emily Se (116) and Christina Santoyo (191) advance on the front side of the brackets for the Lions.
Semifinal match-ups & predictions (in bold)
101 pounds
Jaclyn McNichols (King) vs. Iesha Washington (Emmanuel)
Pauline Granados (McKendree) vs. Jennesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa)
109 pounds
Emily Shilson (Augsburg) vs. Ciara McCrae (Simon Fraser)
Sugey Ceja (Tiffin) vs. Aleeah Gould (King)
116 pounds
Karla Godinez-Gonzalez (Simon Fraser) vs. Emily Se (Emmanuel)
Felicity Taylor (McKendree) vs. Jaslynn Gallegos (Presbyterian)
123 pounds
Cheyenne Sisenstein (King) vs. Phoenix Dubose (King)
Alexandra Hedrick (Simon Fraser) vs. Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa)
130 pounds
Alexia Ward (McKendree) vs. Gabby Skidmore (Augsburg)
Allison Petix (King) vs. Amanda Martinez (North Central)
136 pounds
Emma Bruntil (McKendree) vs. Ana Luciano (King)
Lauren Mason (Simon Fraser) vs. Dalia Garibay (Colorado Mesa)
143 pounds
Ana Godinez-Gonzalez (Simon Fraser) vs. Sara Brinkac (Simon Fraser)
Ashlynn Ortega (King) vs. Alara Boyd (McKendree)
155 pounds
Alyvia Fiske (Simon Fraser) vs. Jayden Laurent (Lakeland)
Alexandria Glaude (McKendree) vs. Joye Levendusky (McKendree)
170 pounds
Korinahe Bullock (McKendree) vs. Jessika Rottier (UW-Stevens Point)
Yelena Makoyed (North Central College) vs. Andrea Sennett (McKendree)
191 pounds
Sydnee Kimber (McKendree) vs. Cristina Santoyo (Emmanuel)
Tavi Heidelberg-Tollson (King) vs. Jessie Lee (Tiffin)
Semifinals start at 9AM CT, and can be streamed on TrackWrestling.
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