By: Clint Neumann
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Sioux Falls Women's Wrestling team competed against some of the nation's top NCAA programs this weekend at the NWCA National Duals, held January 9–10. The 16-team national field brought together elite competition from across the country, and the Cougars faced a challenging slate in Grand Valley State, Lindenwood University, Emmanuel University, and West Liberty University. While USF came up short in all four duals, the weekend provided valuable national-level experience and several individual bright spots as the Cougars continued to test themselves against top-tier opponents.
Coach's Corner – Griff Osing
"This tournament gave us exactly what we needed. Competing against NCAA teams in this environment shows our athletes where we're at and where we need to go. We had some tough results, but I was proud of how our group continued to compete and respond throughout the weekend."
vs. Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State opened the weekend by capitalizing on early momentum and bonus-point victories to build a commanding lead. Despite the final score, the Cougars battled throughout the lineup, gaining firsthand experience against one of the nation's premier NCAA programs.
Results
103 – Rayana Sahagun (Grand Valley State) over USF – Forfeit
110 – Kiely Tabaldo (Grand Valley State) over USF – Forfeit
117 – Sage Mortimer (Grand Valley State) over Abby Wilfong – TF 10-0
124 – Aspen Blasko (Grand Valley State) over Mackenzie Armagost – Fall (0:56)
131 – Hannah Palise (Grand Valley State) over Brinley Green-Griffin – TF 12-1
138 – Katerina Lange (Grand Valley State) over Johanna Steinlicht – TF 10-0
145 – Clarissa Agostini (Grand Valley State) over Kristy More – Fall (1:31)
160 – Noelle Gaffney (Grand Valley State) over Aliyah Villarreal – Dec 9-0
180 – Sabrina Nauss (Grand Valley State) over Maizy Mathis – Fall (1:40)
207 – Aaliyah Grandberry (Grand Valley State) over Zoe Adam – Dec 10-2
Final Score: Grand Valley State 43, USF 2
vs. Lindenwood University
USF showed improved scoring production against Lindenwood, earning key bonus-point wins throughout the lineup. Brinley Green-Griffin and Zoe Adam each recorded technical falls, while Kristy More added a pin to keep the Cougars competitive against another NCAA opponent.
Results
103 – Sienna Caruso (Lindenwood) over USF – Forfeit
110 – Kate Cooper (Lindenwood) over USF – Forfeit
117 – Allison Meyer (Lindenwood) over Abby Wilfong – Fall (3:52)
124 – Saki Yoshikawa (Lindenwood) over Dani Ringstmeyer – Dec 5-2
131 – Brinley Green-Griffin (USF) over Savannah Talmadge – TF 10-0
138 – Jacinda Espinosa (Lindenwood) over Johanna Steinlicht – Fall (0:19)
145 – Kristy More (USF) over Madeline Haynes – Fall (2:24)
160 – Alana Duggan (Lindenwood) over Maizy Mathis – TF 10-0
180 – Makayla Rivera (Lindenwood) over Aliyah Villarreal – Fall (1:07)
207 – Zoe Adam (USF) over Malia Martin – TF 12-0
Final Score: Lindenwood 32, USF 14
vs. Emmanuel University
Emmanuel used a combination of forfeits and bonus-point wins to pull away early, but the Cougars continued to compete deep into the dual. Johanna Steinlicht provided a highlight for USF with a dominant technical fall at 138 pounds.
Results
103 – Rebekah Jean-Baptiste (Emmanuel) over USF – Forfeit
110 – Haley Zinninger (Emmanuel) over USF – Forfeit
117 – Karissa Turnwall (Emmanuel) over Abby Wilfong – Fall (2:07)
124 – Kalayah Edwards (Emmanuel) over Dani Ringstmeyer – Dec 5-3
131 – Janida Garcia (Emmanuel) over Brinley Green-Griffin – TF 11-0
138 – Johanna Steinlicht (USF) over Isabella Hoffman – TF 16-6
145 – Alexandra Ford (Emmanuel) over Kristy More – TF 10-0
160 – Gianna DiBenedetto (Emmanuel) over Aliyah Villarreal – TF 10-0
180 – Riauna Lugo (Emmanuel) over Rachel Berger – TF 10-0
207 – Gemma Templeman (Emmanuel) over Zoe Adam – TF 11-0
Final Score: Emmanuel 39, USF 5
vs. West Liberty University
The Cougars closed the tournament in a tightly contested dual against West Liberty, ultimately falling 25–22 in their most competitive matchup of the weekend. USF picked up multiple bonus-point victories, including falls from Elyse Engebretson and Zoe Adam, along with technical falls from Johanna Steinlicht and Kristy More. Rachel Berger added a key decision win, but West Liberty edged out the Cougars with critical points in the middle of the lineup.
Results
103 – Sydney Chambers (West Liberty) over USF – Forfeit
110 – Nila Bland (West Liberty) over USF – Forfeit
117 – Trinity Howard (West Liberty) over Abby Wilfong – Fall (1:23)
124 – Elyse Engebretson (USF) over Jillian Timberlake – Fall (0:56)
131 – Cassia Zammit (West Liberty) over Brinley Green-Griffin – TF 11-1
138 – Johanna Steinlicht (USF) over Bailey Emery – TF 10-0
145 – Kristy More (USF) over Grace O'Korn – TF 10-0
160 – Makyah Newlun (West Liberty) over Aliyah Villarreal – Fall (2:39)
180 – Rachel Berger (USF) over Janiya Brogan – Dec 8-4
207 – Zoe Adam (USF) over Jamie Shapton – Fall (3:34)
Final Score: West Liberty 25, USF 22
Up Next
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, January 17, traveling to Hays, Kansas, for the Fort Hays Triangular at Gross Memorial Coliseum. USF will face #14 Colorado Mesa and #11 Fort Hays State in another challenging test against nationally ranked opponents.
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