By: Madie Brink
DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Wrestling team closed out its regular-season open schedule today at the Grand View Open, facing one of the deepest fields of the season inside Dave Sisam Arena. Competing against a mix of NAIA, NCAA, junior college, and unattached opponents, the Cougars gained valuable postseason preparation with several wrestlers advancing deep into consolation rounds and battling through long brackets.
USF saw its strongest overall performance at 124 pounds, where Dani Ringstmeyer wrestled back through the bracket with multiple bonus-point victories to earn a spot in the third-place match. Johanna Steinlicht opened her day with a statement win at 138 pounds, while Rachel Berger and Kylie Hulse, wrestling unattached, each recorded multiple victories at 160 in highly competitive brackets.
With the regional tournament ahead, the Grand View Open served as a final tune-up, offering high-volume matches and postseason-style competition against nationally tested opponents.
Grand View Open Results
124 lbs – Dani Ringstmeyer (3rd Place)
Ringstmeyer turned in the top performance of the day for the Cougars, wrestling back through the consolation bracket after an early setback. She picked up four technical falls and a forfeit win to reach the third-place match, showcasing consistency and scoring ability late into the tournament.
Results
Champ. Rd. 1 – Bye
Champ. Rd. 2 – def. Annaston Jo Stene (NIACC) – TF 10-0 (3:00)
Quarterfinal – lost to Audrey Scherer (Grand View) – TF 18-8 (5:13)
Cons. Rd. 4 – def. Violet De La Cruz (Texas Wesleyan) – TF 11-0 (5:22)
Cons. Rd. 5 – def. Laurieann Cavaco (Missouri Valley) – TF 12-2 (1:29)
Cons. Semis – def. No. 7 Lily Powell (NIACC) – Forfeit
3rd-Place Match – vs. Mallory Sellars (Carl Albert) - TF 10-0 (2:33)
124 lbs – Mackenzie Armagost
Armagost earned byes into championship and consolation rounds before facing tough opposition in bracket play.
Results
Champ. Rd. 1 – Bye
Champ. Rd. 2 – lost to Martynique Davis (Valiant Prep) – Fall (1:53)
Cons. Rd. 2 – Bye
Cons. Rd. 3 – lost to Vanessa De La Cruz (Texas Wesleyan) – TF 10-0 (4:28)
138 lbs – No. 20 Johanna Steinlicht
Steinlicht opened her tournament with an impressive first-round fall before navigating a challenging bracket against nationally experienced opponents.
Results
Champ. Rd. 1 – def. Peyton Hellmann (Fort Hays State) – Fall (2:51)
Champ. Rd. 2 – lost to No. 15 Kryssceah Ravenelle (Lehigh) – Dec 13-5
Cons. Rd. 2 – def. Lexy Pabon (Life) – Dec 5-5
Cons. Rd. 3 – lost to Julia Chambers (Quincy) – TF 10-0 (3:00)
160 lbs – Rachel Berger
Berger put together a solid run through the consolation bracket, earning two wins before bowing out against a tough opponent.
Results
Champ. Rd. 1 – def. Carly Klein (Grand View) – Dec 7-2
Champ. Rd. 2 – lost to Giselle Mendez (Cumberlands) – Fall (1:19)
Cons. Rd. 2 – def. Kapree Bott (Carl Albert) – Dec 10-2
Cons. Rd. 3 – def. Paityn Covolo (Iowa Western) – Fall (2:43)
Cons. Rd. 4 – lost to Naomi Templeman (William Penn) – TF 10-0 (3:00)
160 lbs – Kylie Hulse
Hulse battled through a competitive 160-pound bracket, earning a quick pin in consolation action.
Results
Champ. Rd. 1 – lost to No. 13 Mohagany Casel (Wayland Baptist) – Dec 6-4
Cons. Rd. 1 – def. Laura Merino (Waldorf) – Fall (0:50)
Cons. Rd. 2 – lost to No. 3 Mercy Adekuoroye (Wayland Baptist) – TF 11-0 (3:27)
160 lbs – Aliyah Villarreal
Villarreal faced a tough draw at 160 pounds, opening against strong competition in championship and consolation rounds.
Results
Champ. Rd. 1 – lost to Kaylee Ricketts (Fort Hays State) – Fall (0:58)
Cons. Rd. 1 – lost to Aniseta Acosta (Unattached) – TF 10-0 (0:53)
Coach's Corner
"We're proud of the way our six student-athletes competed today. We saw a lot of good things and a lot of things we can build upon over the next two weeks as we prep for the NCAA Region VI Tournament."
-Head Coach Griffin Osing
Up Next
The Cougars will hit the mat on February 21st to compete in the first ever NCAA Region VI Tournament in Saint Charles, Missouri at Hyland Arena.
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