SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - USF Women's Wrestling took on the No. 1 team in the country tonight in front of a program high, 721 fans. The Cougars fell to the Hawkeyes 39-7, but it wasn't a loss to hang their heads about considering their opponents.

At 101-pounds, Ava McNeal fell to #1 Emilie Gonzalez in a 10-0 technical fall. Gonzalez is a 2021 U17 Pan-American Champion as well as a co-champion at the 2021 USA Wrestling Junior National Championships. McNeal is now 10-3 on the season.

Paw Hobza took the 5-points for USF at 109-pounds when the Hawkeyes were open. Hobza advances to 10-7 on the year.

Paige Denke fell to  #3 Brianna Gonzalez at 116-pounds in a 12-2 technical fall just 23 seconds into the second period. Gonzalez is also a 2021 U17 Pan-American Champion and shares to 100-pound 2021 USA Wrestling Junior National Championship title with her sister Emilie. Denke moves to 8-3 on the year.

At 123-pounds, the Cougars USA Junior Team member Rei Ogden was defeated by Cali Leng in a  10-0 technical fall 26-seconds into the second period. Ogden moves to 22-7 on the season.

Teila Peters was defeated by #10 Emily Frost at 136-pounds in a 1:31 fall. and is now 13-8

At 136-pounds, McKenna Hendrickson fell to Emmily Patneaud in a 1:23 fall. Patneaud was a four-time All-American at McKendree University prior to her final season at Iowa. Hendrickson is now 8-10 on the year.

Brinley Green was defeated by #4 Ella Schmit at 143-pounds in an 11-0 technical fall. Schmit is a 2023 U20 Pan-American Champion as well as the U20 National runner-up. Green is now 12-9 on the season.

Ciana Grate was defeated by #3 Bella Mir at 155-pounds in a 1:01 fall. Mir is also a U20 National Champion. Grate is now 7-7 on the season.

USF was open at 170-pounds.

Zoe Adam went the distance with #9 Alivia White but unfortunately came up short in an 6-4 decision. Adam landed the first 4-point toss before White responded with her own 4-point toss in the second along with two, 2-point tosses. White was a five-time All-American throughout her highschool campaign. Adam currently sits 18-5 on the year.

The Cougars continue to improve for such a young squad and are now 6-2 in dual settings. USF will return home on February 9 to host Chadron State at 6pm inside the Stewart Center.