Time To Qualify For Nationals

College regionals and conference meets will take place this weekend and the following weekend at locations throughout the country. Although this is an important step for winning a national collegiate title, NAIA and NCAA schools have different procedures. Here is a breakdown.

NAIA

Conference tournaments are not used as a qualifying event for the national championships. Every team is allowed to send 12 wrestlers to the NAIA Invitational on March 11-12 in Jamestown, North Dakota. A team may send a maximum of two wrestlers per weight. 

For example, a team could hypothetically fill six weight classes with two wrestlers each or fill eight weight classes with one wrestler each and two additional weight classes with two wrestlers each. 

Remember, two per weight with a maximum of 12 wrestlers. A coach must submit his or her final line-up by February 28.

NAIA Conference Championship Tournament Schedule

Feb. 20: Mid-South Conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Teams: Brewton-Parker, Campbellsville, Cumberlands (Ky.), Indiana Tech, Life, Lourdes, Saint Andrews

Feb. 26: Heart of America Athletic Conference in Baldwin City, Kansas

Teams: Baker, Central Methodist, Grand View, Iowa Wesleyan, Missouri Valley, Waldorf, Williams Penn

Feb. 26: Sooner Athletic Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Teams: Central Christian, Lyon, Missouri Baptist, Oklahoma City, Texas Wesleyan, Wayland Baptist

Feb. 26: Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference in Leavenworth, Kansas

Teams: Avila, Friends, Hastings, Midland, Ottawa, Jamestown, Saint Mary, York

Feb. 27: Cascade Collegiate Conference in Great Falls, Montana

Teams: Corban, Eastern Oregon, Life Pacific, Menlo, Providence, Southern Oregon, Simpson, Warner Pacific

NCAA

There are four regional tournaments that determine who will compete at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships on March 4-5 in Adrian, Michigan. The top five wrestlers at each weight qualify for the national tournament and each team can send 15 wrestlers to the regional tournament. 

Multiple wrestlers can qualify for nationals but only one wrestler per weight can score. Each team must allocate the scoring wrestler in advance of the national tournament. 

NCAA Regional Championship Tournament Schedule

Feb. 19: Southeast Regional in Franklin Springs, Georgia

TEAMS: Emmanuel (GA), Emory & Henry, Ferrum, Greensboro, King, Limestone, Lincoln Memorial, Presbyterian

Feb. 20: Northeast Regional in Erie, Pennsylvania

TEAMS: Adrian, Albion, Davenport, Delaware Valley, East Stroudsburg, Elmira, Gannon, Hiram, Lock Haven, New Jersey City, Sacred Heart, Tiffin

Feb. 20: Northwest Regional in UW-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

TEAMS: Augsburg, Aurora, Carthage, Lakeland, North Central, Northern Michigan, Pacific, Simon Fraser, Trine, UW-Stevens Point

Feb. 20: Southwest Regional in McKendree in Lebanon, Illinois

TEAMS: Augustana (Ill.), Chadron State, Colorado Mesa, Fontbonne, Lindenwood, McKendree, Schreiner, University of the Ozarks, Westminster (Mo.), William Jewell

The Bearcats Are Back!

McKendree — the returning two-time NCWWC (NCAA schools) champions — competed on Saturday for the first time since a 39-10 dual win over Lindenwood on January 11. The Bearcats hosted the Bearcat Open on February 12 at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. 

Head coach Sam Schmitz saw at least one member of his team reach the finals of all 10 weight classes with five wrestlers winning titles. For full Bearcat Open brackets visit Trackwrestling. 

Bearcat Open champions

101: Lizette Rodriguez (McKendree)

109: Julianne Moccia (Gannon)

116: Felicity Taylor (McKendree)

123: Payton Stroud (Unattached/McKendree)

130: Amanda Martinez (Unattached)

136: No champion (double forfeit)

143: Alara Boyd (McKendree)

155: Kayla Marano (McKendree)

170: Ashley Lekas (Unattached)

191: Sydnee Kimber (McKendree)

Warrior Open

Top-ranked Grand View (NAIA) participated in the Warrior Open at Midland University over the weekend. Baker had three individual champions while the Vikings, Midland, and Waldorf had two each. For full Warrior Open brackets visit Trackwrestling. 

Warrior Open champions

101: Esther Walker (Midland University)

109: Chloe Krebsbach (Grand View)

116: Katherine Heath (Baker University)

123: Nichole Moore (Baker University)

130: Emily Paulino (Midland University)

136: Diana Dzasezeva (Waldorf University)

143: Ku`uipo Chan (Waldorf University)

155: Kaylynn Albrecht (Baker University)

170: Yarissa Gallo (Iowa Western Community College)

191: Kali Butts (Grand View)

The Decision 

Kennedy and Korina Blades — two of the top recruits in the country — made their college decision during an interview prior to Bout at the Ballpark on February 12. Kennedy is ranked second at 164 pounds but is the #3 overall recruit, while Korina is ranked first at 138 pounds and is #5 overall.

The Blades sisters narrowed their choices to Arizona State, Iowa, and North Central before ultimately deciding on the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club in Tempe under the guidance of coach Mark Perry. They will attend college at Arizona State in the fall.

“We want to continue our Olympic dreams at Sunkist Kids RTC,” Kennedy said. 

“While attending Arizona State University,” Korina continued. “We are really excited.”

Kennedy reached the finals of the 202One Olympic Trials where she fell in straight matches to eventual Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-State. She also won the 2021 Junior World Championships while Korina earned bronze. 

Bout at the Ballpark

The U.S. women’s freestyle team won four of five matches during Bout at the Ballpark, taking on several top wrestlers from Canada. 

Headlining the event was 2016 Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis, who competed for the first time since winning the 2021 World Championships in Oslo. Maroulis topped Karla Godinez Gonzalez who is currently competing for Simon Fraser University. 

Jacarra Winchester and Kayla Miracle — both 202One Olympians — were featured on the card, as well. Winchester, a 2019 World champion, downed American teammate and training partner Dom Parrish, 5-2. 

Miracle, a 2021 World silver medalist, faced a tough test from 2021 U23 World champion, Ana Godinez Gonzelez. The American star prevailed, 6-5, after staving off several shots from her Canadian counterpart near the end of the match.

Canada picked up its lone win at 76 kg when 2018 World champion Justina DiStasio defeated two-time World teamer Victoria Francis, 7-1.

Team USA Women 14, International All-Stars 5
50 kg: Victoria Anthony (United States) df. Madison Parks (Canada), 10-0 3:49
53 kg: Jacarra Winchester (United States) df. Dom Parrish (United States), 5-2
57 kg: Helen Maroulis (United States) df. Karla Godinez Gonzalez (Canada), 8-0
62 kg: Kayla Miracle (United States) df. Ana Godinez Gonzalez (Canada), 6-5
76 kg: Justina DiStasio (Canada) df. Victoria Francis (United States), 7-1

She Said It

“Wrestling doesn’t mean anything different to a boy, girl, woman, or man. It builds confidence in all who participate. It’s imperative to continue to grow the sport of women’s wrestling in order to give every girl the opportunity to step on the wrestling mat so they can discover their own strength.” — Iowa women’s coach Clarissa Chun