For the third year in a row, the coalition of NCAA women’s programs will host the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. The first year was in Adrian, Michigan, but last year it moved to Tiffin, Ohio. This year it returns to Adrian and promises fireworks as the best NCAA women scrap for national titles.

McKendree is the returning team champ, but King University had a once-in-a-lifetime recruiting class and unseated the Bearcats at National Duals last month. Watching the team race play out will be exciting, as multiple weights will likely feature swing matches on the championship and consolation side of the bracket as the tournament unfolds. Meanwhile, powerhouse Canadian program Simon Fraser is back and just won the Northwest Regional last weekend over top programs like #4 North Central and #5 Augsburg.

Here’s a quick weight-by-weight preview:

101 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Olivia Shore (Tiffin University)

#2 Samantha Miller (Presbyterian University) 

#3 Angelina Gomez (Emmanuel College) 

#4 Jaclyn McNichols (King University)

#5 Lizette Rodriguez (McKendree) 

#6 Maddie Mackenzie (Simon Fraser University)

#7 Brooke Thurber (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point)

#8 Kat Pendergrass (Gannon University)

Kelly Enriquez (University of Wisconsin Stevens Point)

Odelia Lopez (Schreiner University)

Kaylie Catalano (Colorado Mesa University)

Kinsey Smith (Chadron State College)

Shanna Morris (Tiffin University)

Ekta Arora (Gannon University)

Last year, Emmanuel’s Angie Gomez broke through to win her first national title, a 3-3 nailbiter against returning national champ Pauline Granados, who will compete at 109 this year. Even with that, Tiffin’s freshman breakout star Olivia Shore seems to be the one to beat, currently ranked #1 at this weight after a fantastic regular season that included a Missouri Valley Open title. She took a loss at 109 to North Central’s Sydney Petzinger, but went undefeated at 101, including a win over #4 Jaclyn McNichols of King. Expect exciting and competitive matches from the first whistle in this weight class. Watch out for #6 Maddie Mackenzie, a star freshman who brings an undefeated record into the tournament.

109 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Emily Shilson (Augsburg University)

#2 Samara Chavez (King University)

#3 Pauline Granados (McKendree University)

#4 Alexia Seal (Simon Fraser University)

#5 Sydney Petzinger (North Central College)

#6 Natalie Reyna (McKendree University)

#7 Cassy Lopez (Presbyterian University)

#8 Danielle Garcia (King University)

Angelina Graff (North Central College)

Alina Kinsey (Schreiner University)

Allicia Mahoe (Schreiner University)

Julianne Moccia (Gannon University)

Izabella Frezzo (NJ City)

Trinity Oredina (Tiffin University)

Kylee Bentley (Hiram College)

Alejandra Perez (Emmanuel College)

King is sending two hammers into this group, #2 Samara Chavez and #8 Danielle Garcia. Chavez has big match experience and serious game on her feet, but few, if any, are picking against world-level talent Emily Shilson, who won both Junior and U23 world titles this year. In fact, when Shilson and Chavez hit at National Duals this year, it was Shilson by fall in the second period. McKendree also has two solid entries, with 2020 champ Pauline Granados and #6 ranked Natalie Reyna, the oldest woman in college wrestling at 29-years-old. There’s lots of young talent to watch like Gannon’s Julianna Moccia and North Central’s #5 ranked Sydney Petzinger who will certainly battle for All-American spots, but Shilson is the heavy favorite to win this one. 

116 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 (at 123) Karla Godinez-Gonzalez (Simon Fraser University)

#1 Felicity Taylor (McKendree University)

#2 Sage Mortimer (King University)

#3 Jaslynn Gallegos (Presbyterian University)

#6 Kendra Ryan (North Central College)

#7 Aliyah Rollins (McKendree University)

#7 (at 123) Emalie Olson (William Jewell College)

#8 Anja Tschohl (Colorado Mesa University)

Mateah Roehl (North Central College)

Abby Nelson (Wisconsin Stevens Point)

Angela LoRusso (Adrian College)

Nikoly DosSantos (Gannon University)

Natalie Dunn (East Stroudsburg University)

Jayla Oberst (Albion College)

Ainslie Lane (Presbyterian University)

Kasey Baynon (Emmanuel College)

Felicity Taylor slowed down the Sage Mortimer train with a tech fall at National Duals, but Mortimer still sits at #2. Mortimer also took a loss to two-time All-American Jaslynn Gallegos at the Southeast Regional, an 8-5 decision. Meanwhile, Canadian national teamer Karla Godinez-Gonzalez of Simon Fraser University, the 2020 NCWWC national champion and currently ranked #1 at 123, dropped down to this weight. It was Taylor and Godinez-Gonzalez in the finals in 2020 and the Canadian cruised to an efficient 7-0 win over the U.S. star. But two years is a long time in this sport, and if the match-up happens it will be worth the price of admission.

123 pounds

Qualifiers

Alexandra Hedrick (Simon Fraser University) 2020 champ

#2 Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa University)

#3 Cheyenne Sisenstein (King University)

#4 Amani Jones (North Central College)

#5 Cayden Condit (Lindenwood University)

#6 Asia Nguyen-Smith (North Central College)

#7 Elizabeth Miller (Colorado Mesa University)

Charlotte Kouyoumtjian (Augsburg University)

Caitlyn Thorne (McKendree University)

Emily Klein (East Stroudsburg University)

Grace Jones (Tiffin University)

Samantha Parcell (Albion College)

Merci Jessop (Elmira College)

Melanie Mendoza (King University)

Catherine Bertrand (Presbyterian University)

Ariana Wolkerstorfer (Greensboro College)

#2 Marissa Gallegos is one of the most exciting wrestlers in women’s college wrestling, and had a big offseason, including a win over last year’s champ Cheyenne Sisenstein of King at World Team Trials. With SFU’s Karla Godinez Gonzalez dropping down to 116, these might two seem destined to meet in the finals if it weren’t for the appearance of 2020 national champion Alex Hedrick at the regional. Hedrick won the U.S. Open and the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in 2018 and would have to be considered the favorite heading into this weekend, in spite of the fact that Gallegos and Sisenstein have been the headlines for the past two seasons.

130 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Montana Delawder (King University)

#2 Cameron Guerin (McKendree University)

#3 Claire DiCugno (Colorado Mesa University)

#4 Phoenix Dubose (King University)

#5 Naomi Henry (NJ City)

#6 Niya Teresita Gaines (North Central College)

#7 Mia Macaluso (East Stroudsburg University)

#8 Anya Knappenberger (Gannon University)

Lauren Mason (Simon Fraser University)

Marquesis Haintz (Simon Fraser University)

Yele Aycock (North Central College)

Athena Willden (Lindenwood University)

Lillian Broadrick (Colorado Mesa University)

Solana Mottola (Tiffin University)

Sierra Marie Miller (Presbyterian University)

Katrina Anderson (Ferrum College)

Montana Delawder handed returning national champ Cam Guerin her first college loss ever when they met in the team final at National Duals. That’s an intriguing rematch, though not a certainty, as three-time All-American Lauren Mason, 2021 Junior World teamers Mia Macaluso and Claire DiCugno, last year’s third-place finisher Phoenix Dubose, and talented freshman Solana Mottola are in this field, among others. It’s Mia Macaluso’s first appearance at college Nationals and she’ll be fun to watch. The New York native could be a bracket buster as she took third at her regional, has limited collegiate results, and might get a lower seed. All that being said, #1 ranked Delawder is certainly a favorite to make the final in Adrian and a Delawder-Guerin rematch would be must-see TV.

136 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Zoe Nowicki (Adrian College)

#2 Ana Luciano (King University)

#3 Skye Realin (McKendree University)

#4 Sara Sulejmani (North Central College) 

#5 Blanche `Nina` Kemu Makem (Augsburg University)

#6 Emmily Patneaud (McKendree University) 

#8 Lana Perez (Gannon University)

Flora Vizi (North Central College)

Megan Struble (Wisconsin Stevens Point)

Jolynn Harris (Colorado Mesa University)

Holly Beaudoin (Colorado Mesa University)

Madison Matta (Lock Haven University)

Arianna Carrasquillo (Tiffin University)

Samantha Larios (Emmanuel College)

Hannah Mains (Limestone University)

Kathe Wilken-Yoder (Limestone University)

For some reason, it feels like this could be Nina Makem’s coming-out party, though maybe it’s still early. Either way, she did have some big wins this year, including taking down previous #1 Ana Luciano 6-0 at National Duals. Current #1 Zoe Nowicki won a WCWA national title in 2020, though she hasn’t placed higher than fifth at the NCAA event. She took a loss to Luciano 9-5 at the 2020 Nationals, but she did have a convincing win over Makem at National Duals in January, a 9-4 decision. McKendree freshman Skye Realin is a force to be reckoned with and not to be taken lightly, having a solid freshman season by any standard.

143 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Alara Boyd (McKendree University)

#2 Ashlynn Ortega (King University) 

#7 Nia Miranda (Tiffin University)

Riley Aamold (North Central College)

Kim Nunez (North Central College)

Kya Rybachek (Augsburg University)

Clara Scaglioni (Simon Fraser University)

Kaylee Lacy (Colorado Mesa University)

Erica Schroeder (Colorado Mesa University)

Julianna Moreno (Lindenwood University)

Avia Bibeau (East Stroudsburg University)

Madison Sandquist (Sacred Heart University)

Stephanie Floor (Gannon University)

Mika Walters (Limestone University)

Clara Padua-Cruz (Limestone University)

Gianna Anaya (Emmanuel College)

When it comes to 143 in the NCAA, it seems like McKendree’s Alara Boyd and King’s Ashlynn Ortega and everybody else. If they hit in the finals again, it’ll be Boyd-Ortega VI. Boyd owns the series 3-2 since they began their college careers, with Boyd winning their last match at World Team Trials 11-2. There’s a few names in the field that might have upset power, specifically Riley Aamold of North Central, who’s had an excellent freshman campaign, winning the Northwest Regional last week, and East Stroudsburg’s sophomore Avia Bibeau, who won the Northeast Regional. Because of Covid restrictions, Bibeau is part of a program that really hasn’t had much of a chance to show its mettle. But with her performance in Erie two weeks ago, she’ll be an interesting dark horse in the race.

155 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Kayla Marano (McKendree University)

#2 Alyvia Fiske (Simon Fraser University)

#3 Marlynne Deede (Augsburg University)

#4 Tiffani Baublitz (King University)

#6 Tiera Jimerson (North Central College)

#7 Viktorya Torres (King University)

#8 Taylor Hites (Tiffin University)

Kahlea Jolly (Augsburg University)

Jordan Johnston (Schreiner University)

Sarina Bertram (William Jewell College)

Sara Lake (Lindenwood University)

Skylah Chakouian (Elmira College)

Jessica Johnson (Lock Haven University)

Nyla Burgess (Adrian College)

Caitlyn Gilmore (Limestone University)

Shelsy Renous (Limestone University)

After a stellar college career, where she was a three-time All-American at Emmanuel, #1 Kayla Marano shocked women’s college wrestling when she transferred to McKendree in the offseason. As good as her career has been, she’s still looking for her first national title, making the finals last year and falling to now-teammate Alara Boyd. With Boyd at 143, the opportunity is there for Marano to win it all, but #2 Alyvia Fiske — an elite talent at the college and Senior level — is also looking for her first title. Fiske didn’t compete last year as Simon Fraser canceled its season, and two years ago, she fell to Jayden Laurent 2-2 in the semis. She certainly seems primed for her first title. Meanwhile, #3 Marlynne Deede and #4 Tiffani Baublitz both have upset power, while #6 Tiera Jimerson is an intriguing freshman.

170 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Cheyenne Bowman (King University) 

#2 Yelena Makoyed (North Central College)

#3 Emily Cue (Simon Fraser University)

#4 Joye Levendusky (McKendree University)

#5 Jade Herzer (Wisconsin Stevens Point)

#6 Grace Kristoff (McKendree University) 

Tabitha Breitrick (Wisconsin Stevens Point)

Tatum Heikkila (Colorado Mesa University)

Kamila Montenegro (Chadron State)

Aspen Dodge (Adrian College)

Jacklyn Smith (Sacred Heart University)

Taryn Martin (Tiffin University)

Kayley Rada (Adrian College)

Kalani Rivas (Limestone University)

Gabrielle Mendoza (Ferrum College)

Everyone knew three-time California state champ Cheyenne Bowman was good. This season she showed how good when she hit the King lineup, scoring wins over #1 Yelena Makoyed of North Central, a 9-6 battle at National Duals, and two wins over Joye Levendusky of McKendree University, 3-2 at the MoVal and 5-2 in the team finals at National Duals. Those wins made her the new #1 and she’ll have to run the gauntlet this weekend as #6 Grace Kristoff, #5 Jade Herzer — also a freshman, #4 Levendusky, #3 Emily Cue of Simon Fraser and #2 Makoyed are all gunning for the top spot on the podium. Makoyed is the returning national champ, as she defeated Levendusky in the finals last year.

191 pounds

Qualifiers

#1 Sydnee Kimber (McKendree University)

#2 Jaycee Foeller (McKendree University)

#3 Nia Crosdale (King University)

#4 Cristina Santoyo (Emmanuel College)

#5 Katja Osteen (Simon Fraser University)

#6 Ashley Reed (Sacred Heart University)

#7 Sandra Guerrero (NJ City)

#8 Julia Richey (Simon Fraser University)

Amber Latta (North Central College)

Faith Tuttle (Augsburg University)

Jayleen Sekona (Colorado Mesa University)

Sydni Scott (William Jewell College)

Tayana Labady (Elmira College)

Hollie Espinoza (Tiffin University)

Journey Land (Limestone University)

Andreia Langley (Emory & Henry)

There’s some young talent in the field, though the best two 191-pounders might be in the same wrestling room at McKendree University. No sane person would dispute that two-time national champion Sydnee Kimber is the heavy favorite here, but Bearcat freshman Jaycee Foeller has had a remarkable year, making the finals at the Pointer Open and North Central Open before double defaulting to teammates, and winning the Missouri Valley Open. In fact, her only loss is to teammate Kimber two weekends ago at the Southwest Regional, a 10-0 defeat. So though it seems unlikely that a national title is in the cards for Foeller, she might be facing her teammate in the final. That being said, three-time All-American Nia Crosdale from King will have something to say about that as it looks like it could be a Foeller-Crosdale semi. It’s hard to see anyone challenging Kimber until she reaches the final. #5 Katja Osteen of Simon Fraser is a promising freshman you can expect to see making a run high on the podium.