North Central proved yet again why it has the top NCAA women’s college wrestling team in the land. The Cardinals dismantled a short-handed but powerful Augsburg team on Saturday, December 3 during a battle of top-five teams.

The Auggies won three of seven contested matches highlighted by Nina Makem’s thrilling 8-6 win over Yele Aycock at 136 pounds. Aycock snagged a 2-1 win over Makem at the Pointer Open, so this was a big rematch. Also of note is Yelena Makoyed, ranked #2 in FloWrestling’s pound-for-pound rankings, defeating #17 P4P Ashley Lekas, 10-0.

Makoyed was a late addition to the trip since she’s training to compete at the World Cup in Coralville, Iowa, on December 10-11. 

“Our women wrestled really well,” North Central coach Joe Norton said. “We battled a bit of adversity in having to change the location and start time of the dual, but our ladies rolled with it and showed up prepared to perform. In a matchup of top-five teams, it’s fun to go out and prove that we deserve our #1 ranking. Even in the matches we lost, our women battled their tails off and gave us a lot to build on moving forward."

North Central 34, Augsburg 9
101: Amber Turner (North Central) over Unknown (For.)
109: Sydney Petzinger (North Central) over Unknown (For.)
116: Jaslynn Gallegos (North Central) over Unknown (For.)
123: Amani Jones (North Central) over Gabby Skidmore (Augsburg) (Fall 4:04)
130: Emma Grimm (North Central) over Ellisa Jimenez (Augsburg) (Fall 1:22)
136: Nina Makem (Augsburg) over Yele Aycock (North Central) (Dec 8-6)
143: Katie Lange (Augsburg) over Kendall Bostelman (North Central) (Dec 6-0)
155: Marlynne Deede (Augsburg) over Tiera Jimerson (North Central) (Dec 10-4)
170: Yelena Makoyed (North Central) over Ashley Lekas (Augsburg) (TF 10-0 2:57)
191: Traeh Haynes (North Central) over Brooklyn Hays (Augsburg) (Fall 1:43)

Division I Teams Shine

There is currently four Division I programs that field women’s wrestling teams: Iowa, Lindenwood, Presbyterian, and Sacred Heart. Iowa doesn’t start sanctioned competitions until next season, but the other three teams performed well over the weekend. 

Lindenwood took first place out of eight teams at the Missouri Women’s Collegiate State Championships. The Lions outpaced second-place Central Methodist 183.5 to 154.5 in points and 4-3 in titles.

“Our team wrestled with a lot of confidence, fought hard for each other, and brought the positive energy all day,” Lindenwood coach Mike Mena said.

Individual champions
109: McKenzie Gilreath (Lindenwood)
116: Caitlyn Thorne (Central Methodist)
123: Amanda McAleavey (Lindenwood)
130: Jasmine Ward (Lindenwood)
136: Skye Realin (Central Methodist)
143: Josette Partney (Missouri Baptist)
155: Alana Duggan (Lindenwood)
170: Anastasia Hardin (Missouri Baptist)
191: Jaycee Foeller (Central Methodist)

Presbyterian had little trouble defeating Mount Olive during its home opener. The Blue Hose won eight of 10 matches with Samantha Miller, Catherine Bertrand, and Gabriella Shelvin picking up falls for a 37-10 victory.  For full results, click here.

Sacred Heart, led by head coach Paulina Biega, won the Northeast Duals with a 4-0 record. The Pioneers defeated Gannon (25-20), East Stroudsburg (35-13), Elmira (44-4), and Alvernia (50-0) on Sunday, December 4. 

“I’m very proud of my team and not just because they won,” Biega said. "They all left their hearts on the mat, they wrestled very smart and implemented things we have been working on. Some of them finally hit moves they have never done at the competition and that makes me really happy. 

“They are becoming more confident in their own skills and that’s a big step forward — especially since we are such a young team. Still a lot of room for improvement but I’m looking forward to growing and continuing this season because we are not done yet.”

Mavericks Lasso Two More Wins

Colorado Mesa remains unbeaten in duals on the season (4-0) after picking up a pair of wins over the weekend. The Mavericks defeated Texas Woman's University 37-8 and Schreiner 39-8.

“This weekend was a great opportunity to compete against two tough regional opponents,” Colorado Mesa coach Travis Mercado said. "We were excited to compete and had great energy on the bench and it showed in our individual performances. Lots of bonus points and that is what we are going to need at the National Duals in January.” 

Reigning NAIA Champs Place Second At Patriot Duals

Campbellsville University, winners of the past two NAIA Invitational Championships, placed second at the Patriot Duals after going 7-1 on the weekend. The Tigers fell to Indiana Tech, 28-21, in the final match of the two-day dual tournament hosted by the University of the Cumberlands. 

Divine Providence

The University of Providence — an NAIA program located in Great Falls, Montana, and tournament host — had the most individual champions at the Battle at Rockies Open on December 2. Erin Hikiji (109), Ashley Gooman (116), Paige Respicio (136), Sadie Antoque (155), and Alexis Tupuola (191) won titles for the home team. 

Individual champions
109: Erin Hikiji (Providence)
116: Ashley Gooman (Providence)
123: Taylor Mcpherson (Alberta)
130: Kaylee Moore (Eastern Oregon)
136: Paige Respicio (Providence)
143: Miki Rowbottom (Calgary)
155: Sadie Antoque (Providence)
170: Olivia Robinson (Eastern Oregon)
191: Alexis Tupuola (Providence)

Fresh Pound-For-Pound Rankings Are Here

FloWrestling's second set of pound-for-pound women’s college rankings dropped on November 30 and there were several changes after the Missouri Valley Open, All-Star Classic, and various results throughout the country. The rankings do not include results from over the weekend but the entire list is below, or you can read the entire article here.

1. Dymond Guilford (Cumberlands), SR, NAIA, 170 pounds
2. Yelena Makoyed (North Central), SR, NCAA, 170 pounds
3. Adaugo Nwachukwu (Iowa Wesleyan), SO, NAIA, 136 pounds
4. Lexie Basham (Texas Wesleyan), SO, NAIA, 130 pounds
5. Cameron Guerin (McKendree), JR, NCAA, 130 pounds
6. Sydnee Kimber (McKendree), SR, NCAA, 191 pounds
7. Ashlynn Ortega (King), SR, NCAA, 143 pounds
8. Peyton Prussin (Life), SO, NAIA, 109 pounds
9. Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa), JR, NCAA, 123 pounds
10. Marlynne Deede (Augsburg), SR, NCAA, 155 pounds
11. Sydney Petzinger (North Central), SO, NCAA, 109 pounds
12. Sage Mortimer (King), SO, NCAA, 116 pounds
13. Jaslynn Gallegos (North Central), JR, NCAA, 116 pounds
14. Olivia Shore (Tiffin), SO, NCAA, 101 pounds
15. Ana Luciano (King), SR, NCAA, 136 pounds
16. Mia Palumbo (Iowa Wesleyan), SO, NAIA, 109 pounds
17. Ashley Lekas (Augsburg), SO, NCAA, 170 pounds
18. Victoria Baez-Dillone (Umpqua CC), FR, NJCAA, 130 pounds
19. Yele Aycock (North Central), SO, NCAA, 130 pounds
20. Nina Makem (Augsburg), SO, NCAA, 136 pounds
21. Carolina Moreno (Southern Oregon), SO, NAIA, 123 pounds
22. Emily Cue (Simon Fraser), SR, NCAA, 170 pounds
23. Alexis Gomez (Grand View), SR, NAIA, 143 pounds
24. Ashley Gooman (Providence), SR, NAIA, 116 pounds
25. Alara Boyd (McKendree), SR, NCAA, 143 pounds

Women's Spotlight: Joye Levendusky

Joye Levendusky is a four-time All-American who reached the national collegiate finals twice at McKendree. She enters her senior season at Southern Oregon with an appreciation for her coach, Gabby Weyhrich, and gratitude for all wrestling has provided. 

World Cup Fever

There are lots of reasons to be excited about the women’s college season, but you can also get excited about the World Cup in Coralville, Iowa, on December 10-11. 

Felicity Taylor should be a fan favorite with local Hawkeye fans. Taylor, a 2021 national collegiate champion for McKendree, transferred to Iowa this year. The current pound-for-pound #1 and #2 in the women’s college rankings will represent the U.S. team at 76 kg.

The USA women’s freestyle team is headlined by reigning World champ Amit Elor, along with 2022 World medalists Kayla Miracle and Mallory Velte and 2019 World champion Jacarra Winchester. 

U.S. Women's Line-up
50 kg — Alyssa Lampe
50 kg — Erin Golston
53 kg — Felicity Taylor
53 kg — Ronna Gross
55 kg — Jacarra Winchester
55 kg — Jenna Burkert
57 kg — Alexandra Hedrick
57 kg — Amanda Martinez
59 kg — Lexie Basham
59 kg — Michaela Beck
62 kg — Kayla Miracle
62 kg — Jennifer Rogers
65 kg — Mallory Velte
68 kg — Sienna Ramirez
68 kg — Solin Piearcy
72 kg — Amit Elor
72 kg — Skylar Grote
76 kg — Dymond Guilford
76 kg — Yelena Makoyed