Top-Ranked Hawkeyes Secure Third Place at NWCA National Duals

The University of Iowa women’s wrestling team finished third at the NWCA National Duals, solidifying their status as the top-ranked team. They defeated Grand Valley State (GVS) with a score of 26-15 in the medal round on Saturday. Throughout the tournament, the Hawkeyes achieved five victories against ranked competitors.

Hawkeyes vs. Grand Valley State

In the match against GVS, several standout performances were pivotal to Iowa’s success:

• Sterling Dias achieved an impressive 7-0 victory over the fourth-ranked Rayana Sahagun at 103 pounds.
• Ava Bayless followed with a 6-0 win against Kiely Tabaldo at 110 pounds.
• Brianna Gonzalez secured a technical fall, dominating Libby Roberts with a score of 10-0 at 117 pounds.
• Karlee Brooks, the top-ranked wrestler at 131 pounds, won against Aspen Blasko with an 8-3 decision.
• Kennedy Blades showcased her strength, winning by fall over Noelle Gaffney.

Match Highlights

Despite a couple of setbacks, including losses by Isabella Gonzales and Lilly Luft, the Hawkeyes maintained their lead through dominant performances from their top-ranked wrestlers. Notably, Cadence Diduch also achieved a technical fall victory at 145 pounds.

At 180 pounds, Kylie Welker continued the team’s momentum by winning with a technical fall, while Jaycee Foeller faced a loss against Sabrina Nauss at 207 pounds.

Semi-Final Match Against North Central College

Earlier in the day, Iowa faced North Central College in the semifinals. The Hawkeyes lost a closely contested battle, 23-21. The following highlights marked key moments of this match:

• Valarie Solorio earned an 11-0 technical fall victory against Brianne Graves at 103 pounds.
• Karlee Brooks bounced back from earlier defeats with a solid 8-4 decision over Yele Aycock at 131 pounds.
• Reese Larramendy achieved a major upset, defeating the top-ranked Bella Mir with an 8-4 decision at 145 pounds.

Coach’s Remarks

Head Coach Clarissa Chun emphasized resilience following the semifinal loss. She highlighted the importance of bouncing back and learning from the experiences at the tournament. “We have to rise and pick ourselves back up again,” she stated.

Upcoming Events

The Hawkeyes are set to compete at the CK Mike Duroe Invitational on January 17. They will return home the following day to host Otterbein University and Lehigh in Caver-Hawkeye Arena, with matches beginning at 12 p.m. (CT).