Caution optimism. 

That’s how Life University coach Ashley Flavin describes the start of every season. And she has every reason to be cautiously optimistic with a team she calls the best she’s ever had. 

Flavin thought last year’s team was the best in program history and that the Running Eagles would hoist the NAIA Championships trophy above their heads. Instead, Life finished second at the national championships for the fourth time in five seasons. That’s on top of two National Duals titles in three years. 

Life is so deep and talented that choosing 12 wrestlers for the post-season will be a chore. Incoming freshmen Anaya Falcon (110), Netavia Wickson (138), Ugochi Anunobi (160), Maggie Graham (180), and Savannah Isaac (207) bolster a team that returns one national champion, four finalists, and nine All-Americans. 

Menlo College won the 2024 NAIA Championships but is transitioning to NCAA so the Oaks are out of the picture. 

This could be the year they crack the code. 

Life University At Nationals

Flavin isn’t easing into the year, either. The Running Eagles face the University of Iowa in their home opener after falling to the Hawkeyes 36-5 on January 21 in Iowa City. It was the only dual blemish on a 23-1 season. 

“It’s not about the moments that happen in November,” Flavin said. “It’s the moments in March. What can we do to get ready for March? There’s the experience of wrestling in a packed gym (when Iowa visits). That’s exciting. A packed home gym at full capacity. That’s something we’ve never had before. 

“How do we make each moment as meaningful as possible and how do we still chase the thing that we’re looking for at the end? We’re trying to find meaning in every experience and still win the title.” 

This team goes where Sarah Savidge and the McBryde sisters (Jamilah, Zaynah, and Latifah) take them. All four reached the national finals with Jamilah winning the 143-pound title. Salyna Shotwell was a 2021 national finalist at Life before transferring to McKendree, but now she’s back in Marietta, Georgia. 

“I’m going home,” Shotwell said in an Instagram post announcing her return. 

Falcon is fresh off an appearance at the U20 World Championships, winning a loaded 50 kg bracket to make the team. Returning All-American Diana Gonzalez (6th at 109) is also at the weight as both are vying for a post-season spot. 

Isaac fills a need at 207 after a dominant high school career and Anunobi proved she has a high ceiling after a Fargo finals appearance. The team has an international flavor with Shahreen Gulacha (Canada) and Reka Busa (Hungary) in the mix. 

Ashley and her husband, Christian, the team’s assistant, have plenty of options. 

“Our athletes want people to know we do it right,” Flavin said. “We don’t just buy girls and have fancy things. We built who we are and we do it right. Nobody cares how right you do it if you don’t win. You can do it with the girls you developed. 

“Anna Krejsa wasn’t an All-American out of high school when we signed her and has developed into a great wrestler. That matters. And that matters to our team.”

2024-25 Life University Line-up

103 Pounds
Katherine Hernandez
— 3rd at California State Championships

110 Pounds
Anaya Falcon
— 20024 U20 World Team
— 4x California state champion
— 119-0 high school record

Diana Gonzalez
— 2024 NAIA All-American (6th at 109)

117 Pounds
Salyna Shotwell
— 2022 NAIA finalist (2nd at 116)

Shahreen Gulacha
— 2024 U20 World Team for Canada
— 2022 U17 National Champion for Canada

124 Pounds
Anna Krejsa
— 2024 NAIA All-American (6th at 123)

Ariana Martinez
— 2024 NAIA All-American (8th at 116)

131 Pounds
Sarah Savidge
— 2024 NAIA finalist (2nd at 130)
— 2023 NAIA finalist (2nd at 130)
— 2023 U20 Pan-Am gold medalist

Oliva Motley
— 2023 conference champ
— 2022 and 2023 NAIA Championships qualifier

138 Pounds
Zaynah McBryde
— 2024 NAIA finalist (2nd at 136)

Netavia Wickson
— 2022 Fargo All-American (3rd, Junior, 138)
— 2023 Fargo finalist (2nd, Junior, 138)

145 Pounds
Jamilah McBryde
— 2023 NAIA All-American (3rd at 143)
— 2024 NAIA champion (1st at 143)

160 Pounds
Latifah McBryde
— 2023 NAIA finalist (2nd at 155)
— 2024 NAIA finalist (2nd at 155)

Reka Busa
— U17 national team member for Hungary (might bump up to 180)

Ugochi Anunobi
— 2023 Fargo All-American (4th, Junior, 164)
— 2024 Fargo finalist (2nd, Junior, 155)

180 Pounds
Maggie Graham
— 2021 Fargo All-American (3rd, 16U, 144)

207 Pounds
Savannah Isaac
— 4x Fargo All-American
— 3x Fargo champion