The Women's College Wrestling Season Is Heating Up
The Women's College Wrestling Season Is Heating Up
Yelena Makoyed and Dymond Guilford continue their rivalry, Anaya Falcon soars, Iowa appears unbeatable, and the Adrian Duals deliver.
Check out the latest edition of Women’s Wrestling Weekly: The Show. Watch episode two below or you can watch episode one here.
This week's edition examines the Bill Farrell Memorial International, the Dymond Guilford-Yelena Makoyed rivalry, a major college wrestling weekend, high school prodigies, Sarah Hildebrandt's rise to greatness, and the legacy of Helen Maroulis.
Yelena Makoyed vs Dymond Guilford, Part 12
FloWrestling’s Jon Kozak mentioned the Yelena Makoyed vs Dymond Guilford rivalry in his 2024 Bill Farrell Memorial International preview. The two met in the 76 kg final with Makoyed taking a 3-3 criteria win.
Makoyed, a five-time NCWWC finalist (2020-2024) and three-time champion is fresh off her gold medal run at the U23 World Championships.
Guilford, a five-time college All-American and four-time champion, made the 2022 World team with straight wins over Makoyed at Final X.
The series is tied at 6-6 if you don’t count Makoyed’s forfeit win for third place at the 2023 US Open. Click here for Bill Farrell Memorial International results and brackets.
Guilford Wins (6)
2023 Senior WTT Challenge, 9-6
2022 Zouhaier Sghaier, 7-6
2022 Final X, 12-2
2022 Final X, 10-5
2022 US Open, Fall 5:40
2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, 9-6
Makoyed Wins (6)
2024 Bill Farrell Memorial International, 3-3
2024 Henri Deglane, 7-4
2023 Zagreb Open, 12-2
2022 Zouhaier Sghaier, 5-2
2021 Senior World Team, 10-8
2021 U23 Nationals, 10-8
Iowa Takes Down Life
The University of Iowa (NCAA) traveled to Life University (NAIA) for the Eagle Madness Duals on November 8 and the Eagle Madness Open on November 9. The Hawkeyes dispatched Hastings, 46-1, before defeating Life, 30-14, in the marquee dual. Neither team had its best line-up, but Iowa flexed its depth by taking seven of 10 matches. You can read the full Iowa vs Life breakdown and watch the entire dual here.
Anaya Falcon Soars
Life’s Anaya Falcon debuted at the Eagle Madness Duals and Open. She won a pair of matches over Iowa’s Valarie Solorio and defeated 2024 NCWWC 101-pound champion Emilie Gonzalez in the 110-pound Eagle Madness finals. Hear from Falcon after her win against Iowa.
NWCA All-Star Classic
The 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic is on Saturday, November 16 at 7 PM ET. It includes five NAIA vs NCAA match-up women’s freestyle match-ups. Be sure to watch it live on FloWrestling. Emma Baertlein replaced Stefana Jelacic of Lourdes at 110.
110: Kendra Ryan (North Central, NCAA) vs Emma Baertlein (Southern, NAIA)
124: Amani Jones (North Central, NCAA) vs Maya Davis (Grand View, NAIA)
131: Vicky Baez-Dilone (King, NCAA) vs Carolina Moreno (Southern Oregon, NAIA)
145: Aine Drury (King, NCAA) Jamilah McBryde (Life, NAIA)
160: Cheyenne Bowman (King, NCAA) vs Latifah McBryde (Life, NAIA)
Lakers Make Home Debut
Grand Valley State, a new NCAA Division II program in Allendale, Michigan, is hosting its first home dual. The first-year program will contend for a trophy at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, and head coach Jake Short says he will roll out his best line-up against Northern Michigan on Saturday, November 16 at 6 PM ET live on FloWrestling.
Slip And Slide
Presbyterian (NCAA) defeated Campbellsville (NAIA), 23-21, at the 2024 Throwdown on the Yorktown — an outdoor dual on a battleship. It was often a slippery mess with condensation covering the mats. The below match between Olivia Messerly (Campbellsville) and Cassia Zammit (Presbyterian) showed how slippery it can be.
North Central vs McKendree vs King
Three of the country’s best teams faced off at the Adrian Duals on Saturday, November 9. North Central defeated King (26-17) and McKendree (34-10), and King defeated McKendree (35-11).
Below are full box scores for all three duals. McKendree will likely look different next semester with the addition of NAIA champion Kaylynn Albrecht (160), U23 national champion Tristan Kelly (180), and other possible stars. As announced earlier, four-time NCWWC champion Cameron Guerin will skip this season to focus on her health.
All three programs have won a college national championship.
North Central: 2023 NCWWC
McKendree: 2020, 2021, 2022 NCWWC
King: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 WCWA
North Central College (A) defeated King University 26-17
103 - Madison Avila (North Central) over Mia Zuniga (King) Dec 10-3
110 - Samara Chavez (King) over Kendra Ryan (North Central) Dec 8-0
117 - Sydney Petzinger (North Central) over Clare Booe (King) Dec 12-8
124 - Amani Jones (North Central) over Montana Delawder (King) TF 10-0
131 - Sara Sterner (North Central) over Anna Dicugno (King) Fall 3:33
138 - Claire DiCugno (King) over Emma Grimm (North Central) TF 10-0
145 - Aine Drury (King) over Bella Mir (North Central) Fall 3:42
160 - Cheyenne Bowman (King) over Tiera Jimerson (North Central) Dec 6-3
180 - Brittyn Corbishley (North Central) Forf
207 - Traeh Haynes (North Central) over Isabella Calle (King) Fall 2:00
North Central College defeated McKendree University 34-10
103 - Gabriele Tedesco (McKendree) over Madison Avila (North Central) Dec 6-5
110 - Kendra Ryan (North Central) over Samantha Miller (McKendree) Fall 3:58
117 - Sydney Petzinger (North Central) over Norah Swaim (McKendree) TF 11-0
124 - Amani Jones (North Central) over Shelby Moore (McKendree) Dec 6-5
131 - Sara Sterner (North Central) over Alexandra Szkotnicki (McKendree) Fall 2:20
138 - Taylor Graveman (North Central) over Viktorya Torres (McKendree) Dec 7-4
145 - Bella Mir (North Central) over Savannah Gomez (McKendree) Fall 3:00
160 - Ruby Rios (McKendree) over Lizzie Raleigh (North Central) Fall 2:53
180 - Brittyn Corbishley (North Central) over Caroline Gilstrap (McKendree) TF 12-0
207 - Caroline Ward (North Central) over Archer Jones (McKendree) TF 10-0
King University defeated McKendree University 35-11
103 - Mia Zuniga (King) over Gabriele Tedesco (McKendree) Fall 3:38
110 - Samara Chavez (King) over Samantha Miller (McKendree) TF 10-0
117 - Clare Booe (King) over Norah Swaim (McKendree) Fall 1:18
124 - Montana Delawder (King) over Shelby Moore (McKendree) Dec 6-3
131 - Alexandra Szkotnicki (McKendree) over Anna Dicugno (King) Fall 2:36
138 - Claire DiCugno (King) over Viktorya Torres (McKendree) Fall 5:08
145 - Aine Drury (King) over Savannah Gomez (McKendree) TF 11-0
160 - Cheyenne Bowman (King) over Ruby Rios (McKendree) TF 10-0
180 - Alexa Garcia (King) over Archer Jones (McKendree) Fall 1:02
207 - Caroline Gilstrap (McKendree) over Isabella Calle (King) Fall 1:57
Anna Krejsa: Muscle Barbie
Learn how Life University's Anna Krejsa earned her iconic nickname and how she went under cover for her father.
Can’t Miss Weight Class
The 110-pound class is — by far — the best women’s college weight class. Here is a breakdown of the wrestlers to watch in each division.
NCAA
Sage Mortimer (Grand Valley State) transferred from King University after placing third and second at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. She won the 2024 U23 World Championships and reached the challenge tournament finals at the 2024 Olympics Trials.
Samara Chavez (King) is moving down from 116 after third, second, and third NCWWC finishes. She is a former teammate with Mortimer, and the two have a long history.
Ava Bayless (Iowa) is the returning 109-pound NCWWC champion.
Samantha Miller (McKendree) started at Presbyterian, transferred to Mount Olive, and transferred to McKendree for her COVID season. She has finished 6-5-5-3 at nationals, losing to North Central’s Kendra Ryan in the NCWWC quarters, pinning her for third, and getting pinned by her at the Adrian Duals.
Kendra Ryan (North Central) has finished sixth, fifth, and fourth at nationals.
Dianna Holmes (King) entered the transfer portal but still competes for King. She finished third at the 2023 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships.
NAIA
Mia Palumbo (William Penn) is a three-time NAIA championship finalist and 2024 champion. She has wins over several of the top NCAA stars and is among the best wrestlers in the country.
Stefana Jelacic (Lourdes) won the 101-pound 2024 NAIA title after finishing seventh in 2023 at 109 and third at 116 in 2021.
Anaya Falcon (Life) made the U20 World Championships with a stellar run at women’s nationals.
Jasmine Howard (Texas Wesleyan) has finished third and second at the past two NAIA Championships, falling to Palumbo in the 2024 finals.
Emma Baertelein (Southern Oregon) finished seventh and third at the past two NAIA Championships.
Paige Morales (Providence) finished fourth at the 2024 NAIA Championships and was among the top high school prospects entering college.
Women's Spotlight: Kaura Coles
Canadian Kaura Coles wrestles for Montana's Glacier High School. Learn how she went from the worst wrestler on her team to the world’s best in three years.
Swing And A Miss
Last week’s edition of Women’s Weekly originally missed the Falcon Open on Friday, November 1 (it has since been updated). High school sisters Clover Williams (145) and Bella Williams (138) finished first and second, respectively, at the tournament. They are also included in the chart of high schoolers who placed at college opens.
Upcoming College Tournaments
Below are links to brackets for this weekend’s dual and open tournaments.
Friday, November 15
Mile High Open
Sunday, November 17
Blue Hose Challenge
Lindenwood Duals
Mike Clock Open
Albion Open
College Open Results
Below are links to results from last weekend’s college opens and tournaments.
Friday, November 8
Eagle Madness Duals
Saturday, November 9
Adrian Duals
Luther Open
Waldorf Open
Battle of the Rockies Open
Eagle Madness Open
Sunday, November 10
Adrian College Invitational
Pioneer Open
Viking Open