North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, is the place to be — for a week anyway. The Cardinals host the North Central Invitational on Sunday, December 15 with top NCAA and NAIA teams in attendance.

The tournament is one week after the Cardinals upended Grand Valley State, 26-17, in the highlight dual of the season (so far).

“We are super excited for the NCC Women’s Open this weekend,” North Central head coach Joe Norton said. “We will have each of the top five ranked NCAA teams and #1, #3, #5, and #8 from NAIA in attendance. 

“I truly believe it will be the most competitive tournament this season across all of collegiate women’s wrestling and our women are fired up to compete.” 

Here are results from North Central’s December 8 dual with links to matches and teams expected to compete at the North Central Invitational on Sunday, December 15, on FloWrestling. Click the link below to watch live. 

North Central 26, Grand Valley State 17
103: Rayana Sahagun (GVSU) over Madison Avila (NCC) (Dec 4-2)
110: Sage Mortimer (GVSU) over Kendra Ryan (NCC) (Dec 9-2)
117: Sydney Petzinger (NCC) over (For.)
124: Amani Jones (NCC) over Aspen Blasko (GVSU) (Dec 10-6)
131: Sara Sterner (NCC) over Hannah Palise (GVSU) (TF 11-0 4:52)
138: Katerina Lange (GVSU) over Emma Grimm (NCC) (Fall 1:00)
145: Bella Mir (NCC) over Elleni Johnson (GVSU) (TF 10-0 2:34)
160: Tiera Jimerson (NCC) over Clarissa Agostini (GVSU) (Fall 2:25)
180: Sabrina Nauss (GVSU) over Brittyn Corbishley (NCC) (Fall 2:19)
207: Caroline Ward (NCC) over Aaliyah Grandberry (GVSU) (Dec 3-0) 

North Central Invitational (December 15): Participating Teams

NCAA: Adrian, Albion, Alma, Aurora, Baldwin Wallace, Carthage, Chadron State, Cornell College, Davenport, Elmhurst, Eureka, Fontbonne, Gannon, Grand Valley State, Illinois Wesleyan, Iowa, King, Lakeland, Lindenwood, Lyon, McKendree, New Jersey City, North Central, Northern Michigan, Quincy, Sacred Heart, Schreiner, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, William Jewell 

NAIA: Grand View, Indiana Tech, Lindsey Wilson, Midland, Missouri Baptist, Providence, Rochester Christian, Southern Oregon.

There will also be a handful of high schoolers to make it interesting. 

Sylar Hattendorf, Ana Luciano, Valerie Hamilton, Skylar Grote, and Tiara Ikei are registered. Let's have some fun!

The Weight To Watch Is…

There are no guarantees that every team will send its full roster to North Central. Iowa didn’t use any 103-pounders at the Jewell Duals so it’s difficult to know who will represent the Hawkeyes (if they send anyone).

Still, it’s fun to speculate. Here is a list of 103-pounders who might compete. Things will be interesting even if a third of the below attend

Sterling Dias (Iowa) — 2024 NCWWC finalist
Maddie Avila (North Central) — 2023 NCWWC champion, 2x All-American
Erin Hikiji (Providence) — 2x NAIA finalist
Odelia Lopez (Schreiner) — 5th at 2024 NCWWC
Liana Ferreira (Southern Oregon) — 5th at 2024 NAIA
Rayana Shagun (Grand Valley State) — 7th at 2021 NAIA
Makayla Young (Indiana Tech) — 7th at 2024 NAIA
Genesis Ramirez (Aurora) — 8th at 2024 NCWWC
Rianne Murphy (Iowa)
Gabby Tedesco (McKendree)
Brianne Graves (North Central)
Mia Zuniga (King)
Avery Kibelbeck (King)
Mackenzie Graves (Quincy)
Judy Sandoval (Grand View)
Devyn Moore (Grand View)
Zoe Omura (Midland)
Isa Bocanegra (Providence)

Women's Wrestling Weekly: The Show (Ep. 6)

Topics covered during this week's show:
- Scott Beck watches the new women's wrestling documentary "All American" in New York City.
- What we learned from Ironman
- What we learned from North Central's win over Grand Valley State
- Life University freshman Anaya Falcon soars
- The early days of women's wrestling
- The building excitement of the National Duals. 

6 Questions We Need Answered

The college season is nearing halfway and there are still things we don’t know. Here are the pressing questions as we enter the second semester?

What Will Iowa Do At 103 and 110?
The Hawkeyes have five quality options at two weights — six if you count Nyla Valencia who is out with injuries for the second straight season. Each team can send up to 15 to the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (maximum of two per weight) so Clarissa Chun has decisions to make. 

Emilie Gonzalez is the returning 101-pound champion who has presumably moved up to 110. Don’t be surprised if she drops down to 103 at some point. Sterling Dias and Rianne Murphy appear even at this point so either is a quality option if Gonzalez stays up. 

Returning NCWWC champion Ava Bayless likely has a roster spot since Iowa will send two wrestlers at five weights. Valarie Solorio defeated Bayless in the wrestle-off but dropped a match to her a few days later. At least one of these five won’t be at regionals. 

Will Reese Larremendy or Macey Kilty Move Down To 138?
Larramendy is the returning NCWWC champion at 143 pounds but the addition of two-time World silver medalist Macey Kilty presents unique possibilities for the Hawkeyes. Iowa could have two quality 145-pounders or Larramendy could move down. Or, does Kilty move down since she competes internationally at 62 kg (136.5 pounds) and 65 kg (143 pounds)?

When Will McKendree Unleash Its Best Line-up?
The Bearcats are in hibernation. NAIA champion Kaylynn Albrecht (160), U23 national champion Tristan Kelly (180), and All-American Lydia Krauss (160) haven’t competed yet, and NAIA finalist Alexis Gomez only wrestled in three matches at the Missouri Valley Invitational before defaulting out of the tournament. 

McKendree isn’t showing its hand. Head coach Alexio Garcia has a dangerous team when he lays all his cards on the table. 

Who Carries The Crown At King?
Jason Moorman’s surprise departure at King is still a head-scratcher. The team appears somewhat intact for now, but who will fill his shoes permanently next year? Gracie Figueroa is listed as the interim head coach on the staff directory. Does she stay on as head coach or does King make an outside hire? And what’s Moorman’s next move? 

Who is redshirting or possibly transferring? King didn’t use a 138- or 145-pounder during its 25-21 win over Presbyterian.

There are more questions than answers right now. 

Does Grand Valley State Have Another Roster Move?
The Lakers forfeited 117 pounds during the North Central dual, a spot that will presumably be filled by transfer Kiely Tabaldo — a 2024 national qualifier. Does Jake Short have another roster move that will bolster his line-up for the second semester? 

When Will We Get A Full Life?
NAIA front-runner Life University fell to King, 28-18, at the Patriot Duals on December 7. Missing were national finalists Sarah Savidge (131), Zaynah McBryde (138), and Jamilah McBryde (145).

Freshman Anaya Falcon secured a surprise fall over King’s Samara Chavez at 110 and high school standout Savannah Issac is in the line-up. This team is dangerous when all the pieces are in place. 

King Defeats Presbyterian, DeLawder Notches 100th College Win

King defeated Presbyterian, 25-21, on December 10 without starters at 138 and 145. Tornado star Montana DeLawder notched her 100th victory with a 10-0 over Alyssa Mahan. 

103: Mia Zuniga (King) over #20 Chiara Barbieri (PC), 7-2
110: Chloe Dearwester (PC) over Avery Kibelbek (King), Fall (1:05)
117: Clare Booe (King) over Charlee Shuler (PC) by Fall (1:22)
124: Montana DeLawder (King) over Alyssa Mahan (PC), 10-0 (2:59)
131: Anna DiCugno (King) over Cassia Zammit (PC) Fall (1:01)
138: Paige Wehrmeister (PC) won by Forfeit
145: Lilly Luttrell (PC) won by Forfeit
160: Cheyene Bowman (King) over May Cuyler (PC) by TF, 10-0 (2:22)
180: Alexa Garcia (King) over Lexi Fornshell (PC), 11-0 (4:26)
207: Ella Beam (PC) overKenisha Jacsaint (King) by Inj.

Women's Spotlight: Ali Gerbracht

Cedar Falls is ranked 16th nationally, but Ali Gerbracht wants her team to prove it at the Iowa State wrestling championships.

Upcoming College Tournaments

Friday, December 13
Eagle Duals
Wasp Open

Sunday, December 15
North Central College Invitational

College Open Results

Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7
Patriot Duals

Saturday, December 7
BVU Open
Carthage Classic
Chadron State College Open
Women's Conner Oppenheim Open
Jewell Duals

Sunday, December 8
Mountaineer Open
Trojan Duals

The Women of Ironman

The prestigious Ironman tournament at Walsh-Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, hosted a women’s division for the second consecutive year. It featured several top teams, with Bixby High School in Oklahoma taking the team title. 

Click here for results and links to matches.

2024 Women Of Ironman Champions
100: Makennah Craft of Jackson High School (Ohio)
105: Jaclyn Bouzakis of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania)
110: Libby Roberts of University (Washington)
115: Marie Sharp of Blair Academy (New Jersey)
120: Angelina Cassioppi of Hononegah (Illinois)
125: Milana Borrelli of Venice High School (Florida)
130: Emma Bacon of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania)
135: Taina Fernandez of Archbishop Spalding (Maryland)
140: Lillian Hendricks of Greeneview (Ohio)
145: Eleanor Dean of Freedom (Virginia)
155: Juliet Alt of Chestnut Ridge (Pennsylvania)
170: Piper Fowler of Cleveland (Tennessee)
190: Grace Leota of Hernando (Florida)
235: Deionna Borders of Berea Midpark (Ohio)