Competing at 116 pounds is nothing new for Iowa's Felicity Taylor. She's had loads of success at that weight in college and beyond.

The Spillville, Iowa, native is a four-time college national finalist and 2021 NCWWC (NCAA) champion for McKendree at 116. She also reached Final X at 53 kg (approximately 116) in 2022 before falling in straight matches to eventual World champion Dom Parrish. 

Taylor transferred to Iowa where she redshirted last season. She moved up to 123 pounds for Iowa's inaugural season, presumably, to help the team. Brianna Gonzalez stepped in at 116 while Taylor wrestled one classification higher. 

This move doesn't necessarily mean that Taylor will stay at 116, but it raises questions about what Iowa's line-up will look like as it enters the post-season. Hawkeyes Ava Rose and Cali Leng entered the Grand View Open at 123, with Rose finishing sixth. 

Future Hawkeye and Elite Accelerator Program athlete Karlee Brooks won the 123-pound bracket with all falls and techs.

Up to 15 wrestlers qualify for the National Wrestling Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships but only one wrestler per weight scores points. This is an interesting development as the Hawkeyes seek a national title in March. 

Taylor won four matches to take the 116-pound Grand View Open title in Des Moines, which is two hours from Iowa City.

Taylor's Title Run
Champ. Round 1 - Felicity Taylor (University of Iowa ) won by tech fall over Mayangelie Colon (Grand View University) (TF 11-0)

Quarterfinal - Felicity Taylor (University of Iowa ) won by fall over Irma Retano (Eastern Oregon University) (Fall 1:14)

Semifinal - Felicity Taylor (University of Iowa ) won by tech fall over Katherine Heath (Baker University) (TF 14-4)

1st Place Match - Felicity Taylor (University of Iowa ) won by decision over Juliana Diaz (Missouri Baptist University ) (Dec 9-3)

Two More Final Xers Won Titles

Alex Hedrick (130) and Xochitl Mota-Pettis (136) also won Grand View Open titles. And, like Taylor, both have wrestled in Final X. Hedrick outscored five opponents by a 50-1 count while Mota-Pettis teched or pinned all five wrestlers she faced. 

Click here for full Grand View Open results.

Will Emma Bruntil's Prediction Come True?

Bruntil, a 2023 Senior World Teamer and two-time NCWWC champion, is expected to return to the McKendree line-up for the post-season. She stated publicly that the Bearcats will win the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships in March. 

However, she did not compete at the domestic Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier in Denver. She weighed in but did not wrestle in her best-of-three series against Amit Elor at 68 kg.