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Hawkeyes Claim Region VII Title, 15 Wrestlers Qualify for NationalsHawkeyes Claim Region VII Title, 15 Wrestlers Qualify for Nationals
Women's Wrestling

Hawkeyes Claim Region VII Title, 15 Wrestlers Qualify for Nationals

The top-ranked Iowa women’s wrestling team had all 15 regional participants qualify for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Simpson College.

Opens in a new window Results (PDF)

INDIANOLA, Iowa — The top-ranked University of Iowa women’s wrestling team had all 15 regional participants qualify for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Simpson College. Iowa also claimed the Region VII title, racking up 192 team points.

The Hawkeyes had 15 student-athletes reach the finals, finishing with champions at all 10 weight classes.

Fourth-ranked Sterling Dias defeated teammate and top-ranked Rianne Murphy, 8-2, in the 103-pound title match. Second-ranked Ava Bayless claimed the 110-pound title with a 4-0 win over teammate and fifth-ranked Emilie Gonzalez.

First-ranked Brianna Gonzalez continued her undefeated season at 117 pounds, beating eighth-ranked Shea Reisel of Dubuque, 11-0, for first place. She defeated Reisel, 12-0, earlier this season at the Soldier Salute. 

Fourth-ranked Cali Leng took first place at 124 pounds with a 12-1 technical fall over Wartburg's Liannette Ortiz. Leng won the last matchup against Ortiz via a 6-6 decision at National Duals. 

Emmily Patneaud picked up her first ranked win of the season with a, 5-2, decision over fourth-ranked Kylie Rule of Wartburg in the 131-pound finals. Fifth-ranked Nanea Estrella followed with a 12-2 victory against Wartburg's 10th-ranked Aniyah Kelly to claim first at 138 pounds. 

Two more Hawkeyes went head-to-head during the 145-pound title match, as top-ranked Macey Kilty took down second-ranked Reese Larramendy, 12-0. 

Top-ranked Kennedy Blades dominated 10th-ranked Keeley Kehrli of Simpson College, 10-0, to earn first at 160 pounds. 

The last two title matches of the day were all Iowa. First-ranked Kylie Welker defeated teammate and fifth-ranked Naomi Simon, 10-0, at 180 pounds. Top-ranked Jaycee Foeller beat teammate and seventh-ranked Alivia White, 8-0, at 207 pounds. 

NOTABLES
– The Hawkeyes brought 15 student-athletes to the tournament and left with 15 National qualifiers and 10 individual titles. 
– Iowa went 43-5 on the day, with the five losses being head-to-head matchups in the championship round.. 
– Five of the 10 title bouts featured Iowa vs. Iowa matchups -- 103, 110, 145, 180 and 207 pounds.
– The Hawkeyes secured 192 points to finish first in the team race, followed by Wartburg (128) and Simpson (110).
– Iowa didn't surrender a single match point through the quarterfinals.
– Iowa had the most tech. falls (20) in the least amount of time (39:40).
– Iowa had the most total match points with 295.
– Kennedy Blades had the most tech. falls (4) in the least amount of time (3:02). Kylie Welker had three tech. falls in 4:02, while Brianna Gonzalez had three in 4:43.
– Blades had the fastest tech. fall of the tournament at 21 seconds.
– Macey Kilty scored the most team points with 22, followed by Blades with 21. 

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH CLARISSA CHUN
“We can't for much more from the team with all 15 reaching the championship and qualifying for nationals. I am proud of how we came out ready to compete today and we saw a lot of people step up to the challenge. We are in a good position heading into nationals in a couple of weeks and we are ready to put in the work in the room until then."

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will head to the NCWWC National Championships in Coralville, Iowa, March 7-8. Action inside of Xtream Arena will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. More information on the tournament can be found at ncwwc.com.