The Iowa women’s wrestling team didn’t have its best line-up — not even close — but Life University gave the mighty Hawkeyes a tussle in Marietta, Georgia, on Friday night. 

Iowa’s power coaching trio of Clarissa Chun, Tonya Verbeek, and Gary Mayabb sat front and center as they squared off against women’s wrestling’s power couple: Ashley and Christian Flavin. 

The Running Eagles didn’t have their best line-up, either, but no team in America can match the Hawkeyes’ three Senior World medalists — Macey Kilty (145), Kennedy Blades (160), and Kylie Welker (180) — when they choose to compete.

All three were absent so Iowa showed off its unprecedented depth instead.

Rianne Murphy replaced returning national champion Emilie Gonzalez at 103 where she secured a fall in the opening match. 

Life struck back at 110 and 117 for a 7-6 lead. Freshman phenom Anaya Falcon — a freestyle wrestling neophyte — proved she will be a force with a 12-2 win over Val Solorio.

“I never second guess myself,” Falcon said. “I always remind myself that I am the champion. I always tell myself that I’m going to be successful.”

Iowa’s returning 109-pound champion Ava Bayless bumped to 117 and fell to 2022 NAIA national finalist Salyna Shotwell, 6-0. Iowa’s returning 116-pound national finalist Brianna Gonzalez bumped up to 124 for a 12-3 win over All-American Anna Krejsa. 

The 131-pound match between Skye Realin (Iowa) and Sarah Savidge (Life) was supposed to be a toss-up. 

Realin — an All-American for Central Methodist and McKendree — was fresh off an appearance at the U23 World Championships.

Savidge — a two-time NAIA national finalist — competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic last year. 

Realin bull-rushed Savidge to her back when Savidge took a long shot from space to secure a 45-second fall. The Mililani, Hawaii, native flaunted the Hawk logo on her singlet as she celebrated with her teammates. 

Iowa’s Nanea Estrella missed most of last season with an injury but returned with a vengeance at 138 to secure a 12-2 tech. Returning national champion Reese Larramendy followed with a 10-0 tech. 

“I’m feeling great,” Estrella said. "Obviously, I have a lot to work on and I’m just going to keep pushing through and get the best of myself out there. I felt great. I’m so happy to be back.” 

Two-time NAIA finalist Latifah McBryde sent the partisan crowd into a frenzy with her 10-0 tech at 160 but true freshman Naomi Simon — a U20 World bronze medalist — stymied the enthusiasm with a fall over Ugochi Anunobi at 180. 

“I wanted to be in this position,” Simon said. “I wanted the opportunity to wrestle in the Hawkeye singlet. I pretty much knew when I got back from Worlds that I’d be wrestling.” 

Returning national finalist Jaycee Foeller closed out the dual with a competitive 3-2 win over Life’s Maggie Graham. 

“Putting aside wins and losses, I think the way that we competed was so exciting — especially our freshman class coming in,” Flavin said. “They were aggressive and ready to go. I think that puts a lot of people on notice as they get ready to face us for the rest of the year.”

The ultimate winner was women’s wrestling. A lively and invested crowd filled both sides of the arena to create a deafening environment.

“It was exciting,” Flavin said. “Everybody locally really came out. Georgia wrestling came out to support us. (Our school) had a bunch of different teams that were here. As always, our administration was here. 

“When you have people that are bought in, it makes it that much easier to go out and compete. I’m grateful for everyone that was here and everyone that was watching at home.” 

Iowa 30, Life 14
103 — Rianne Murphy (I) pinned Brianna Funakoshi (L), 1:33
110 — Anaya Falcon (L) tech. fall Valarie Solorio (I), 12-2
117 — Salyna Shotwell (L) dec. Ava Bayless (I), 6-0
124 — Brianna Gonzalez (I) dec. Anna Krejsa (L), 12-3
131 — Skye Realin (I) pinned Sarah Savidge (L), 0:45
138 — Nanea Estrella (I) tech, fall Netavia Wickson (L), 12-2
145 — Reese Larramendy (I) tech. fall Christina Jaen (L), 10-0
160 — Latifah McBryde (L) tech. fall Rose Cassioppi (I), 10-0
180 — Naomi Simon (I) pinned Ugochi Anunobi (L), 2:34
207 — Jaycee Foeller (I) dec. Margaret Graham (L), 3-2

Ashley Flavin Interview

Nanea Estrella Interview

Anaya Falcon Interview

Naomi Simon Interview