Cristelle Rodriguez and Amani Jones squared off in the 55 kg best-of-three finals at the 2025 U23 Nationals in Spokane, Washington, on April 5. It was the highlight series of the tournament, pitting two age-level World medalists against each other. 

Rodriguez is a 2024 U20 World champion.

Jones won bronze medals at the 2023 U20 and 2024 U23 World Championships. 

Rodriguez won the series in straight matches, 12-6 and 5-3, for the U23 National title and a shot at the U23 World team.

There was something bigger on the line for both wrestlers: college bragging rights. 

Rodriguez is a two-time NAIA champion for Doane University, while Jones is a two-time NCWWC (NCAA) champion for North Central College.

The competition among women's wrestling divisions is intense as colleges strive to attract recruits and claim the title of the superior division.

Nothing was settled after the U23 National finals with each division winning two of the four head-to-head NAIA vs NCAA finals matchups. 

At 62 kg, Adaugo Nwachukwu, a three-time NAIA champion for Iowa Wesleyan and Willam Penn, downed Katie Lange, a two-time NCWWC (NCAA) champion for Augsburg and Grand Valley State. 

The NCAA notched their wins when former Augsburg All-American Brooklyn Hays defeated Shannon Workinger for the 68 kg title, and 2025 NCWWC champion Tristan Kelly of McKendree defeated Kalila Shrive at 76 kg. 

Those weren’t the only intriguing finals showdowns. 

High schooler Heather Crull of Indiana (Northeastern High School) topped 2024 NCWWC (NCAA) champion Ava Bayless of the University of Iowa in the 50 kg finals. Bayless opened with a 15-12 win before Crull secured consecutive falls. 

Crull recently signed with McKendree University, so this could be a future college rivalry. 

Two other prep stars reached the finals, with Cecilia Williams (Mason High School in Lansing, Michigan) stopping Presbyterian All-American Alyssa Mahan in straight matches at 57 kg and Bella Williams (EAP) falling to 2025 NCWWC champion Lexi Janiak (Aurora) at 59. 

The Army's World Class Athlete Program won three titles: Audaugo Nwachukwu (62 kg), Jasmine Robinson (72 kg), and Tristan Kelly (76 kg). 

NAIA vs NCAA: 2-2

55 kg: Cristelle Rodriguez (NAIA, Doane) over Amani Jones (NCAA, North Central), 2 matches to 0

62 kg: Adaugo Nwachukwu  (NAIA, Iowa Wesleyan/William Penn) over Katie Lange (NCAA, Augsburg/Grand Valley State), 2 matches to 0

68 kg: Brooklyn Hayes (NCAA, Augsburg) over Shannon Workinger (NAIA, Menlo/Evergreen State), 2 matches to 0

76 kg: Tristan Kelly (NCAA, Colorado Mesa/McKendree) over Kalila Shrive (NAIA, Menlo), 2 matches to 0

U23 Best-of-Three Finals Results

Round 1: U23 Women - 50F - Ava Bayless, PA over Heather Crull, IN (Dec 15-12 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 50F - Heather Crull, IN over Ava Bayless, PA (F 2:03 )
Round 3: U23 Women - 50F - Heather Crull, IN over Ava Bayless, PA (F 2:56 )

Round 1: U23 Women - 53F - Elena Ivaldi, CA over Sydney Petzinger, NJ (Dec 10-7 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 53F - Elena Ivaldi, CA over Sydney Petzinger, NJ (Dec 12-6 )

Round 1: U23 Women - 55F - Cristelle Rodriguez, CA over Amani Jones, GA (Dec 12-6 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 55F - Cristelle Rodriguez, CA over Amani Jones, GA (Dec 5-3 )

Round 1: U23 Women - 57F - Cecilia Williams, MI over Alyssa Mahan, DE (Dec 6-6 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 57F - Cecilia Williams, MI over Alyssa Mahan, DE (TF 10-0 (4:28) )

Round 1: U23 Women - 59F - Alexis Janiak, IL over Bella Williams, OK (Dec 3-0 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 59F - Alexis Janiak, IL over Bella Williams, OK (Dec 5-0 )

Round 1: U23 Women - 62F - Adaugo Nwachukwu, CO over Katerina Lange, MN (TF 14-3 (6:00) )
Round 2: U23 Women - 62F - Adaugo Nwachukwu, CO over Katerina Lange, MN (Dec 7-5 )

Round 1: U23 Women - 65F - Isabella Mir, NV over Nina Makem, MN (Dec 2-1 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 65F - Isabella Mir, NV over Nina Makem, MN (Dec 2-2 )

Round 1: U23 Women - 68F - Brooklyn Hays, CO over Shannon Workinger, WA (F 4:32 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 68F - Brooklyn Hays, CO over Shannon Workinger, WA (TF 13-2 () )

Round 1: U23 Women - 72F - Jasmine Robinson, TX over Elleni Johnson, UT (F 2:18 )
Round 2: U23 Women - 72F - Jasmine Robinson, TX over Elleni Johnson, UT (TF 12-0 (1:15) )

Round 1: U23 Women - 76F - Tristan Kelly, CO over Kalila Shrive, CA (TF 12-1 (5:46) )
Round 2: U23 Women - 76F - Tristan Kelly, CO over Kalila Shrive, CA (F 3:54 )