Spots in the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships were on the line over the weekend at five separate regional qualifiers. The top four wrestlers from each region qualify for the NCWWC tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 3-4. 

Each team can qualify up to 15 wrestlers for the championship tournament that includes NCAA programs from Division I, II, and III schools. This is the fourth year of the event while women’s wrestling continues to work toward NCAA championship status. McKendree University — a D2 program in Lebanon, Illinois — won the first three championships (2020-22) and will seek its fourth title in March. 

Iowa, Lindenwood, Presbyterian, and Sacred Heart are currently the only D1 programs to offer women’s wrestling, although the Hawkeyes will not compete until next season. Below is a breakdown of each region with comments from the winning coach. 

Region 1: Erie, Pennsylvania

Sacred Heart — the second Division I program to offer women’s wrestling — took the title with a balanced performance led by three champions. The Pioneers were 3.5 points ahead of runner-up Gannon, but both teams qualified nine. 

Sacred Heart coach Paulina Biega: “To say I’m proud of my team might be an understatement. We have come a long way and we accomplished the goal I set at the beginning of the season. They trusted the vision and the process. It wasn’t easy, and I don’t take it easy on them. I hold them to high standards on and off the mat.

"We came into regionals focused and determined with hearts fired up to scrap. They knew that in order for us to win as a team, everyone had to be at their best game. We put seven girls in the finals and won three, along with one third-place, one fourth-place, and two fifth-place finishes. Some matches did not go as planned but there is still time left to fix what went wrong so we can do our best at nationals. We are not done yet. This group is very special. They have heart and potential. I’m excited about the future.”

Team Standings
1 Sacred Heart 176.0
2 Gannon University 172.5
3 East Stroudsburg University 135.5
4 Elmira College 106.5
5 Lock Haven University 103.0
6 New Jersey City University 43.5
7 Delaware Valley 37.0
8 Ursinus 33.0
9 Alvernia 26.5
10 Cedar Crest 7.0

Individual Champions
101: Aaliyah Payne-Parris (Sacred Heart)
109: Kaelani Shufeldt (Lock Haven)
116: Emily Klein (East Stroudsburg)
123: Sofia Macaluso (East Stroudsburg)
130: Lillian Sherer (Lock Haven)
136: Lana Perez (Gannon)
143: Grace Stem (Lock Haven)
155: Maddie Sandquist (Sacred Heart)
170: Annabelle Helm (Gannon)
191: Jacklyn Smith (Sacred Heart) 

NCWWC NATIONAL QUALIFIERS (by team)

Sacred Heart (9 qualifiers)
Aaliyah Payne-Parris (1st at 101, Region 1)
Taylor McCormick (4th at 109, Region 1)
Nohea Moniz (2nd at 116, Region 1)
Alexandra Fitzgerald (2nd at 130, Region 1)
Jullia Mullane (True 4th at 136, Region 1)
Khadijah Sanusi (2nd at 143, Region 1)
Maddie Sandquist (1st at 155, Region 1)
Cara Broadus (2nd at 170, Region 1)
Jacklyn Smith (1st at 191, Region 1)

Gannon (9 qualifiers)
Chloe Kitagawa (2nd at 101, Region 1)
Julianne Moccia (3rd at 109, Region 1)
Samantha Larsen (3rd at 116, Region 1)
Juliana Cubias (4th at 130, Region 1)
Lana Perez (1st at 136, Region 1)
Lili Ujfalvi (3rd at 143, Region 1)
Stephanie Floor (3rd at 155, Region 1)
Annabelle Helm (1st at 170, Region 1)
Jewel Gonzalez (3rd at 170, Region 1)

East Stroudsburg (6 qualifiers)
Haley Delia (4th at 101, Region 1)
Emily Klein (1st at 116, Region 1)
Sofia Macaluso (1st at 123, Region 1)
Mia Macaluso (3rd at 123, Region 1)
Zoe Gress (True 4th at 143, Region 1)
Shola Casen (4th at 191, Region 1)

Elmira College (6 qualifiers)
Skylynn Tomlinson (3rd at 101, Region 1)
Gabby Bradigan (3rd at 136, Region 1)
Skylah Chakouian (2nd at 155, Region 1)
Hazel Dahlquist (True 4th at 155, Region 1)
Mariyah Casados (4th at 170, Region 1)
Tayana Labady (3rd at 191, Region 1)

Lock Haven (5 qualifiers)
Kaelani Shufeldt (1st at 109, Region 1)
Lillian Sherer (1st at 130, Region 1)
Madison Matta (2nd at 136, Region 1)
Grace Stem (1st at 143, Region 1)
Trinity Monaghan (2nd at 191, Region 1)

New Jersey City (2 qualifiers)
Izabella Frezzo (2nd at 109, Region 1)
Naomi Henry (2nd at 123, Region 1)

Ursinus (2 qualifiers)
Jocelyn Lass (True 4th at 116, Region 1)
Kalli Roskos (4th at 123, Region 1)

Delaware Valley (1 qualifier)
Bridgette Schoultz (3rd at 130, Region 1)

Click here for full results

Region 2: Bristol, Tennesee

King University’s powerful and balanced team is sending 15 wrestlers to the national championships after winning all 10 individual titles. The Tornado outdistanced runner-up Emmanuel by 105.5 points. 

King coach Jason Moorman: “We had a very solid performance this weekend. It was our first time competing since January, and everyone looked strong and ready. It also was nice competing at home. We are excited to sharpen up a couple of things this week and then get out to Iowa and get after it.”

Team Standings
1 King University 219.0
2 Emmanuel College 113.5
3 Presbyterian 98.0
4 Limestone University 95.5
5 Mount Olive 75.5
6 Emory & Henry 55.0
7 Lincoln Memorial 19.5
8 Greensboro College 11.5
9 Ferrum College 7.0

Individual Champions
101: Jessica Corredor (King)
109: Sage Mortimer (King)
116: Samara Chavez (King)
123: Vayle-rae Baker (King)
130: Montana Delawder (King)
136: Ana Luciano (King)
143: Ashlynn Ortega (King)
155: Tiffani Baublitz (King)
170: Cheyenne Bowman (King)
191: Nia Crosdale (King)

NCWWC NATIONAL QUALIFIERS BY TEAM

King (15 qualifiers)
Jessica Corredor (1st at 101, Region 2)
Avery Kibelbek (3rd at 101, Region 2)
Sage Mortimer (1st at 109, Region 2)
Dianna Holmes (2nd at 109 Region 2)
Samara Chavez (1st at 116, Region 2)
Danielle Garcia (2nd at 116, Region 2)
Vayle-rae Baker (1st at 123, Region 2)
Melanie Mendoza (2nd at 123, Region 2)
Montana Delawder (1st at 130, Region 2)
Ana Luciano (1st at 136, Region 2)
Viktorya Torres (2nd at 136, Region 2)
Ashlynn Ortega (1st at 143, Region 2)
Tiffani Baublitz (1st at 155, Region 2)
Cheyenne Bowman (1st at 170, Region 2)
Nia Crosdale (1st at 191, Region 2)

Emmanuel College (7 qualifiers)
Haley Zinninger (4th at 101, Region 2)
Dinayah Vazquez (4th at 109, Region 2)
Betty Cherry (3rd at 116, Region 2)
Samantha Larios (3rd at 130, Region 2)
Gianna Anaya (4th at 136, Region 2)
Alyssa Arana (2nd at 170, Region 2)
Cristina Santoyo (2nd at 191, Region 2)

Limestone (7 qualifiers)
Hannah Mains (4th at 130, Region 2)
Clara Padua-Cruz (2nd at 143, Region 2)
Shelsy Renous (3rd at 143, Region 2)
Amalani Latu (3rd at 155, Region 2)
Journey Land (3rd at 170, Region 2)
Kalani Rivas (4th at 170, Region 2)
Destiny Baltierra (4th at 191 Region 2)

Presbyterian (6 qualifiers)
Samantha Miller (2nd at 101, Region 2)
Cassy Lopez (3rd at 109, Region 2)
Catherine Bertrand (3rd at 123, Region 2)
SierraMarie Miller (2nd at 130, Region 2)
Paige Wehrmeister (3rd at 136, Region 2)
Isabella Badon (4th at 155, Region 2)

Mount Olive (3 qualifiers)
Isabel Rodriguez (4th at 123, Region 2)
Skyelar Smith (4th at 143, Region 2)
Jada Arnold (3rd at 191, Region 2)

Lincoln Memorial (1 qualifier)
Ashley Morris (True 4th at 116, Region 2)

Emory and Henry (1 qualifier)
Andreia Langley (2nd at 155, Region 2)

Click here for full results

Region 3: Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Wisconsin-Stevens Point had a strong showing highlighted by five champions and 11 qualifiers, while runner-up Adrian had two champions and 10 qualifiers. Tiffin’s Jenavi Alejandro dropped down from 109 to 101 and won her bracket with all falls. 

Wisconsin-Stevens Point coach Jake Wozniak: “Our women wrestled one of the toughest schedules in the country, and it has us ready to compete at the end of the year. Watching our women have a big day and winning the regional tournament on our home floor was fun. I’m excited to see them make some noise in Cedar Rapids.”

Team Standings
1 Wisconsin-Stevens Point 180.5
2 Adrian College 153.5
3 Northern Michigan University 109.5
4 Tiffin University 73.0
5 Carthage College 71.0
6 Albion 55.0
7 Trine 27.0
8 Lakeland College 15.5
9 Hiram 15.0

Individual champions
101: Jenavi Alejandro (Tiffin University)
109: Alexis Winecke (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
116: Rose Ann Marshall (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
123: Abby Nelson (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
130: Amor Tuttle (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
136: Diana Dzasezeva (Northern Michigan)
143: Clarissa Agostini (Adrian)
155: Lydia Krauss (Northern Michigan)
170: Tabitha Breitrick (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
191: Sienna Lejeune (Adrian)

NCWWC NATIONAL QUALIFIERS BY TEAM

Wisconsin Stevens-Point (11 qualifiers)
Kelly Enriquez (2nd at 101, Region 3)
Alexis Winecke (1st at 109, Region 3)
Shaina Hyre (2nd at 109, Region 3)
Rose Ann Marshall (1st at 116, Region 3)
Abby Nelson (1st at 123, Region 3)
Morgan Bethea (3rd at 123, Region 3)
Amor Tuttle (1st at 130, Region 3)
Anna Strand (4th at 143, Region 3)
Jade Herzer (3rd at 155, Region 3)
Tabitha Breitrick (1st at 170, Region 3)
Brindelyn Eternicka (3rd at 191, Region 3)

Adrian College (10 qualifiers)
Emily Mendez (3rd at 109, Region 3)
Angela LoRusso (2nd at 116, Region 3)
Laila Oribello (True 4th at 123, Region 3)
Shawna Oesterling (3rd at 136, Region 3)
Clarissa Agostini (1st at 143, Region 3)
Taylor Cutler (3rd at 143, Region 3)
Nyla Burgess (2nd at 155, Region 3)
Aspen Dodge (3rd at 170, Region 3)
Sienna Lejeune (1st at 190, Region 3)
Yamilex Perez (2nd at 191, Region 3)

Northern Michigan (7 qualifiers)
Trinity Valentin (3rd at 101, Region 3)
Alejandra Perez (2nd at 123, Region 3)
Diana Dzasezeva (1st at 136, Region 3)
Marisa Roth (2nd at 143, Region 3)
Lydia Krauss (1st at 155, Region 3)
Noelle Gaffney (4th at 155, Region 3)
Teni Ajayi (4th at 170, Region 3)

Albion (5 qualifiers)
Gabby Motz (4th at 109, Region 3)
Jayla Oberst (4th at 116, Region 3)
Danielle Ruiz (2nd at 130, Region 2)
Hannah Arledge-Teran (4th at 130, Region 3)
Hannah Palise (2nd at 136, Region 3)

Tiffin (4 qualifiers)
Jenavi Alejandro (1st at 101, Region 3)
Tatiana Bermudez (4th at 136, Region 3)
Erin Martin (2nd at 170, Region 3)
Alexia Swisher (4th at 191, Region 3)

Carthage College (3 qualifiers)
Bentley Hills (4th at 101, Region 3)
Natalie Majer (3rd at 116, Region 3)
Nadia Flores (3rd at 130, Region 3)

Click here for full results

Region 4: Naperville, Illinois

This was the toughest region by far, and North Central came out on top with 174 points and 15 qualifiers. Team standings were listed incorrectly at the end of the tournament with Augsburg placing second and McKendree third. The Bearcats actually placed second and the Auggies placed third after the correction. The final tallies for McKendree and Augsburg were not available but the order is correct. 

North Central coach Joe Norton: “It was an awesome performance by our team at the regional, and super cool to get to host the event in our home gym. The goal was the punch 15 tickets to nationals and we did just that. Taking out two #1 ranked wrestlers was certainly the highlight of the day. We are going to carry the momentum over to Cedar Rapids and compete for a national championship.”

Team Standings
1 North Central (IL) 174.0
2 McKendree
3 Augsburg University
4 Aurora 48.0
5 Simpson 42.5
6 Lindenwood University 41.5
7 William Jewell College 39.5
8 Augustana (IL) 37.0
9 Westminster University 24.5

Individual Champions
101: Lizette Rodriguez (McKendree)
109: Emily Shilson (McKendree)
116: Payton Stroud (McKendree)
123: Amani Jones (North Central)
130: Lexi Janiak (Aurora)
136: Yele Aycock (North Central)
143: Katie Lange (Augsburg)
155: Marlynne Deede (Augsburg)
170: Yelena Makoyed (North Central)
191: Traeh Haynes (North Central)

NCWWC NATIONAL QUALIFIERS BY TEAM

North Central (15 qualifiers)
Madison Avila (1st at 101, Region 4)
Kendra Ryan (2nd at 109, Region 4)
Sydney Petzinger (3rd at 109, Region 4)
Jaslynn Gallegos (2nd at 116, Region 4)
Amani Jones (1st at 123, Region 4)
Sara Sterner (4th at 130, Region 4)
Yele Aycock (1st at 136, Region 4)
Salome Walker (3rd at 136, Region 4)
London Houston (2nd at 143, Region 4)
Kendall Bostelman (3rd at 143, Region 4)
Tiera Jimerson (2nd at 155, Region 4)
Malea Palahniuk (3rd at 155, Region 4)
Yelena Makoyed (1st at 170, Region 4)
Traeh Haynes (1st at 191, Region 4)
Brittyn Corbishley (3rd at 191, Region 4)

McKendree (10 qualifiers)
Lizette Rodriguez (1st at 101, Region 4)
Emily Shilson (1st at 109, Region 4)
Pauline Granados (4th at 109, Region 4)
Payton Stroud (1st at 116, Region 4)
Jennifer Soto (2nd at 123, Region 4)
Alisha Narvaez (4th at 123, Region 4)
Cameron Guerin (2nd at 130, Region 4)
Abigail Varady (4th at 136, Region 4)
Alexandra Castillo (3rd at 170, Region 4)
Sydnee Kimber (2nd at 191, Region 4)

Augsburg (8 qualifiers)
Tateum Park (3rd at 116, Region 4)
Gabby Skidmore (3rd at 123, Region 4)
Autumn Flanigan (3rd at 130, Region 4)
Nina Makem (2nd at 136, Region 4)
Katie Lange (1st at 143, Region 4)
Ellisa Jimenez (4th at 143, Region 4)
Marlynne Deede (1st at 155, Region 4)
Brooklyn Hays (2nd at 170, Region 4)

Aurora
Alexis Janiak (1st at 130, Region 4)

William Jewell
Allison Meyer (True 4th at 116, Region 4)

Westminster
Kaitlyn Mossinnghoff (True 4th at 155, Region 4)

Simpson
Jenna Joseph (4th at 170, Region 4)

Lindenwood
Sara Lake (4th at 191, Region 4)

Click here for full results

Region 5: Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado Mesa topped traditional power Simon Fraser by 22.5 points thanks to five champions and 12 qualifiers. Simon Fraser had four champions and Chadron had one. 

Colorado Mesa coach Travis Mercado: “I’m really happy with our overall performance by each individual that wrestled. Our region was tough and very competitive in each weight. It made for a fun competition. Hopefully our strong performances this weekend will give us that extra confidence going into nationals next week in Cedar Rapids.”

Team Standings
1 Colorado Mesa University 174.5
2 Simon Fraser University 152.0
3 Chadron 123.5
4 Texas Woman’s University 93.5
5 Schreiner University 90.5
6 Minot State 50.5
7 University of the Ozarks 42.5
8 Linfield University 41.5
9 Pacific University 9.0

Individual Champion
101: Jennesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa)
109: Maddie Mackenzie (Simon Fraser)
116: Victoria Seal (Simon Fraser)
123: Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa)
130: Hailey Chapman (Colorado Mesa)
136: Holly Beaudoin (Colorado Mesa)
143: Kayley Garcia (Chadron)
155: Dalia Garibay (Colorado Mesa)
170: Emily Cue (Simon Fraser)
191: Katja Osteen (Simon Fraser)

NCWWC NATIONAL QUALIFIERS BY TEAM

Colorado Mesa (12 qualifiers)
Jennesis Martinez (1st at 101, Region 5)
Isabella Morales (2nd at 101, Region 5)
Marissa Gallegos (1st at 123, Region 5)
Hania Halverson (3rd at 123, Region 5)
Hailey Chapman (1st at 130, Region 5)
Elizabeth Miller (3rd at 130, Region 5)
Holly Beaudoin (1st at 136, Region 5)
Erica Schroeder (2nd at 143, Region 5)
Celina Cooke (3rd at 143, Region 5)
Dalia Garibay (1st at 155, Region 5)
Melena Jones (True 4th at 170, Region 5)
Jayleen Sekona (3rd at 191, Region 5)

Simon Fraser (9 qualifiers)
Maddie Mackenzie (1st at 109, Region 5)
Golrokh Nouri (2nd at 109, Region 5)
Victoria Seal (1st at 116, Region 5)
Ivy Threatful (2nd at 116, Region 5)
Marquesis Haintz (2nd at 130, Region 5)
Jade Trolland (2nd at 136, Region 5)
Paige Maher (2nd at 155, Region 5)
Emily Cue (1st at 170, Region 5)
Katja Osteen (1st at 191, Region 5)

Texas Woman’s (5 qualifiers)
Mackenzie Peterson (True 4th at 109, Region 5)
Mercedes Nerios (True 4th at 116, Region 5)
Brooke Zejada (3rd at 136, Region 5)
Poorna Babu (4th at 143, Region 5)
Aubrey Yauger (3rd at 170, Region 5)

Schreiner (4 qualifiers)
Odelia Lopez (3rd at 101, Region 5)
Allicia Mahoe (3rd at 109, Region 5)
Jordan Johnston (4th at 155, Region 5)
Victoria Craft (4th at 191, Region 5)

Chadron State (4 qualifiers)
Kinsey Smith (4th at 101, Region 5)
Isabell Ortiz (3rd at 116, Region 5)
Kayley Garcia (1st at 143, Region 5)
Kamila Montenegro (2nd at 170, Region 5)

Minot State (3 qualifiers)
Jazmin Gorder (4th at 123, Region 5)
Annika Gotlieb (4th at 130, Region 5)
Nina Sandoval (3rd at 155, Region 5)

Linfield (2 qualifiers)
Emily Sullenger (2nd at 123, Region 5)
Ayana Medina (True 4th at 136, Region 5)

University of the Ozarks (1 qualifier)
Rewa Chababo (2nd at 191, Region 5)

Click here for full results