Joe Norton went to work in the off-season after a memorable three-year run. What Division III North Central accomplished is the stuff of legend. 

The Cardinals won the 2023 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships and are the only D3 wrestling program to win a team national title across all divisions. 

The following year, when Iowa entered the fold, North Central finished second to the Hawkeyes by six points and won six of 10 matches in a 21-20 loss at the National Duals. 

Norton’s squad took a day one lead at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships but couldn’t match Iowa down the stretch, finishing second again. 

North Central had six individual national champions and 41 All-Americans during that span when teams qualified 15 for the postseason. The cupboards are hardly bare, but Norton has holes to fill after losing national champions Amani Jones and Sydney Petzinger, and 2025 All-Americans Kendra Ryan, Tiera Jimerson, Brittyn Corbishley, and Traeh Haynes. 

“Graduation took a good bite out of our team,” Norton said. “We graduated eight All-Americans and 15 women in all from last year’s squad, so we will turn to the younger stars that have been developing in our program to step up and fill those voids left by an incredible group. But I think they’re up for it. 

“We recruited some really talented and highly motivated kids, and I think they’re excited to carry on the strong tradition of North Central College wrestling. We are excited to see what this team becomes and to continue to compete for national titles.”

High-profile transfers are a good way to start. 

Kaelani Shufeldt, a 2024 NCWWC finalist for Lock Haven, takes over at 110. 

At 138, Claire DiCugno, a 2024 NCWWC champion, transferred from King, and two-time All-American Grace Stem from Lock Haven.

Larissa Gallo, a two-time JUCO national finalist for Iowa Western, will fight for the 180-pound spot. 

Yele Aycock, a two-time national finalist for North Central at 138, was injured last season and is moving down to 131. Carissa Quereshi, a U20 World Teamer, will compete for the Cardinals following a gap year. 

Norton also has returning national champion Maddie Avila (103), returning finalists Sara Sterner and Bella Mir (145), and All-Americans Taylor Graveman (138), Sydney Perry (160), and Shenita Lawson (180). 

Every team has an uphill climb against Iowa, but North Central will be in trophy contention for the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships in 2026. 

2025-26 North Central Overview

Head coach: Joe Norton (eighth season)

Assistants: Grant Zamin, Jared Head

2025 NCWWC tournament finish: 2nd

2025 NCWWC tournament record: 59-25

2025 NCWWC tournament points: 181

2025 dual record: 13-1

Returning All-Americans: 11 (Maddie Avila, Kaelani Shufeldt, Sara Sterner, YeLe Aycock, Claire DiCugno, Taylor Graveman, Grace Stem, Bella Mir, Sydney Perry, Shenita Lawson, Larissa Gallo)

Last college national champion: Amani Jones, Sydney Petzinger (2025)

Highest national tournament finish: 1st (2023)

Highest national team finish under Norton: 1st (2023)

Most national placers in a season under Norton: 15 (2023)

Prospective Line-up (national placings in parenthesis)

103 Pounds
Maddie Avila (1st, 4th, 7th)
Brianne Graves
Zurri Zamora
Justina Perez

110 Pounds
Kaelani Shufeldt (6th, 2nd)
Amaya Yoshizumi

117 Pounds
Mikayla Garcia
Riley Rayome
Nadia Thomas
Elle Paramo
Hayle Peck

124 Pounds
Sara Sterner (5th, 4th, 2nd)
Carissa Qureshi
Milana Borrelli
Janessa George
Aroma Marrufo
Bella Bolek
Layla Morris

131 Pounds
Yele Aycock (2nd, 2nd)
Eliana White-Vega
Jax Realin
Lynn Horn
Gracie Guarino
Kaiya Winbush
Kristen Allsup

138 Pounds
Claire DiCugno (6th, 1st)
Taylor Graveman (7th, 5th)
Grace Stem (4th, 4th)
Taylor Miess
Natalie Klavetter
London Woods
Callie Alfieri

145 Pounds
Bella Mir (5th, 2nd)
Clare Waite
Caylynn Chandler
Elizabeth Rosenstiel
Christiara Finley

160 Pounds
Sydney Perry (8th)
Lizzie Raleigh
Mallory Winner
Rejan Alhashash
Caitlyn Flaherty

180 Pounds
Shenita Lawson (5th, 4th, 4th)
Larissa Gallo (2nd, 2nd — JUCO)
Jael Miller

207 Pounds
Dasia Yearby
Caroline Ward
Tirza Twoteeth
Becca Oetken
Kenzie Conklin