UI Athletics news release
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The top-ranked University of Iowa women’s wrestling team claimed third place at the NWCA National Duals on Saturday, defeating No. 4 Grand Valley State, 26-15, in the medal round. In total, the Hawkeyes registered five wins over ranked opponents.
#1 IOWA VS. #4 GRAND VALLEY STATE
To start things off in the third place dual, Sterling Dias collected the upset win over No. 4 Rayana Sahagun with a 7-0 decision at 103. Following at 110, Ava Bayless secured the win over Kiely Tabaldo with a 6-0 decision.
Fourth-ranked Brianna Gonzalez secured a 10-0 technical fall over Libby Roberts at 117 pounds. At 124 pounds, Isabella Marie Gonzales fell to Sage Mortimer – the second ranked wrestler at 117 pounds – by fall.
Top-ranked Karlee Brooks locked in an 8-3 decision at 131 pounds over Aspen Blasko, who is the second ranked wrestler at 124 pounds. At 138 pounds, Lilly Luft fell to top ranked Katerina Lange, who notched the 10-0 technical fall.
At 145 pounds, Cadence Diduch got a 10-0 technical fall win over Margaret Buurma. She was followed by top-ranked Kennedy Blades, who showed out, getting the win by fall over Noelle Gaffney.
Kylie Welker kept things rolling for the Hawkeyes, she posted a 10-0 technical fall over Maddison ward at 180 pounds. At 207 pounds, Jaycee Foeller fell to the fifth-ranked wrestler at 180 pounds, Sabrina Nauss who secured the fall in the second period.
#1 IOWA VS. #3 NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE
In the semifinal matchup earlier Saturday morning, No. 1 Valarie Solorio secured the 11-0 technical fall over Brianne Graves at 103 pounds. At 110 pounds, No. 2 Nyla Valencia fell to No. 4 Kaelani Shufeldt via fall.
No. 4 Brianna Gonzalez fell to No. 5 Riley Rayome at 117 in a 3-3 decision that went to criteria, giving North Central the 8-5 lead. This was followed by 124 pounds, where No. 5 Cali Leng fell to No. 3 Sara Sterner by pin.
No. 1 Karlee Brooks got the Hawkeyes back on track at 131 with the 8-4 decision over No. 9 Yele Aycock. She was followed at 138 pounds by No. 3 ranked Skye Realin, who won the close match in the final seconds with a 6-6 decision by criteria over Claire Dicugno.
No. 2 Reese Larramendy got the upset win over No. 1 Bella Mir at 145 with a last second score to secure the 8-4 decision. After seven weights, North Central led 16-14. No. 1 Kennedy Blades followed at 160 pounds. Blades secured the lead for the Hawkeyes with an 11-1 technical fall over No. 8 Taylor Graveman.
The Hawkeyes extended their lead when Kylie Welker secured an 8-2 decision over Jael Miller at 180 pounds. At 207, No. 2 Jaycee Foeller fell to Daisa Yearby by fall, giving North Central the 25-23 win.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH CLARISSA CHUN
“We fought, they fought, and we all went through this, we just have to move on to next weekend. We can’t dwell on what happened, that doesn’t help us. We have to rise, and pick ourselves back up again.”
“You can’t replicate those moments and those times, but in certain moments and positions we have to be better at finishing. We have to continue to wrestle, we have to be able to wrestle through that to make a strong finish”
NOTABLES
– Reese Larramendy, upset the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 145 pounds.
– Iowa secured five wins over ranked opponents.
RESULTS
#1 Iowa 21, #3 North Central College 23
Wt. Match
103 #1 Valarie Solorio (I) over Brianne Graves (NC), TF 11-0
110 #4 Kaelani Shufeldt (NC) over #2 Nyla Valencia (I), Fall 5:38
117 #5 Riley Rayome (NC) over #4 Brianna Gonzalez (I), Dec 3-3
124 #3 Sara Sterner (NC) over #5 Cali Leng (I), Fall 1:45
131 #1 Karlee Brooks (I) over #9 Yele Aycock (NC), Dec 8-4
138 #3 Skye Realin (I) over Claire Dicugno (NC), Dec 6-6
145 #2 Reese Larramendy (I) over #1 Bella Mir (NC), Dec 8-4
160 #1 Kennedy Blades (I) over #8 Taylor Graveman (NC),
180 Kylie Welker (I) over Jael Miller (NC), Dec 8-2
207 Dasia Yearby (NC) over #2 Jaycee Foeller (I), Fall 1:38
#1 Iowa 26, #4 Grand Valley State 15
Wt. Match
103 Sterling Dias (I) over #4 Rayana Sahagun (GV), Dec 7-0
110 Ava Bayless (I) over Kiely Tabaldo (GVS), Dec 6-0
117 #4 Brianna Gonzalez (I) over Libby Roberts (GVS), TF 10-0
124 Sage Mortimer (GVS), over Isabella Gonzales (I), Fall 0:37
131 #1 Karlee Brooks (I) over Aspen Blasko (GVS), Dec 8-3
138 #1 Katerina Lange (GVS) over Lily Luft (I), TF 10-0
145 Cadence Diduch (I) over Margaret Buurma (GVS), TF 10-0
160 #1 Kennedy Blades (I) over Noelle Gaffney (GVS), Fall
180 Kylie Welker (I) over Maddison Ward (GVS), TF 10-0
207 Sabrina Nauss (GVS) over #2 Jaycee Foeller (I), Fall 4:47
UP NEXT
The Hawkeye women’s wrestling team travels to the CK Mike Duroe Invitational Saturday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. (CT). Iowa returns home on Sunday, Jan. 18, hosting Otterbein University and Lehigh. Bouts begin at 12 p.m. (CT) in Caver-Hawkeye Arena.