Wins for Valencia, Velte and More Excitement from the NLWC Card

The women’s matches were full of excitement on the NLWC card last night. The event had a junior and senior level card with five women’s matches between the two. The stream did go down during the main card, but Rokfin was able to switch the stream and resume matches. 

Jane Valencia continues her success at another NLWC event. She’s defeated Julia Salata, Vayle Baker, Xochitl Mota-Pettis and now Ronna Heaton in State College. In last night’s match versus Heaton the only clear-cut attack to finish was a huge 4-point double with added exposure from Valencia in the first period. Beyond that, every point was earned from a scramble–not very surprising given Heaton’s style. Heaton got to Valencia’s legs with low singles in both periods, but, although she adjusted her position trying to come out and through the back, she wasn’t able to secure any takedowns. Heaton’s 2 point came from exposure during the final flurry in the 12-2 match. Valencia has already qualified for the Olympic Games for Mexico–a moment documented by the iconic feature photo of the Olympian, mom and doctor that trains with the NLWC. 

Jen Page versus Mallory Velte was highly anticipated–FloWrestling ranks Velte No. 3 and Page No. 6 domestically at 62 kg. Both wrestled at the Captains’ Cup with a 2-1 performance, but their teams didn’t match up so the result was a question mark. Page stands out with a powerful double leg and ability to score from movement and openings on reattacks. But last night Velte shut down Page’s offense and didn’t allow any opportunity to score outside of a pushout for +1. When Page did get to her double, Velte’s defense was too strong and she showed her mat acumen by grounding herself on a sprawl through the zone and out of the circle. Velte, on the other hand, was able to score on lightning fast attacks from a sweep single, throw-by and a classic go-behind in a flurry. While commentating, Sally Roberts of WLAG mentioned that Velte said this was a match she wanted to have leading up to trials.

In the first junior bout, Sage Mortimer picked up a fall over Rianne Murphy. But like most of the matches the result doesn’t do the action justice. Murphy, the offensive aggressor, was constantly seeking attacks and forced Mortimer to respond defensively. Mortimer secured the first points from a go behind. Murphy responded with a takedown of her own off a single leg and closed out the first period leading on criteria, 2-2. But :37 seconds into the second period Mortimer hit a headlock for 4-points and ended the match with a fall. Mortimer will wrestle this Saturday at the Capitol Cup hosted by Greco United. Grace Stem won by decision over Elleni Johnson, 7-4, and Ale Bonilla defeated Kendall Bostelman, 8-0. Bostelman and Johnson attend Wyoming SEM and wrestled on their card versus Team PA this past weekend; Stem wrestled on the opposing lineup for Team PA. 

Women’s Results
Sage Mortimer over Rianne Murphy, by fall
Grace Stem over Elleni Johnson, 7-4
Mallory Velte over Jen Page, 6-1
Ale Bonilla over Kendall Bostelman, 8-0
Jane Valencia over Ronna Heaton, 12-2