Five Statesmen Ranked Nationally

Oskaloosa–Five grapplers from the William Penn women’s wrestling program enter postseason action ranked nationally as the NAIA released its sixth and final set of regular-season polls Thursday.

The Statesmen are led by 116-pounder Catherine Steinkamp (Fr., Quincy, Ill., Biology) and 191-pounder Samantha Ruano (Fr., Romeoville, Ill., Business Management) as both 16th in the country at their respective weights.

Toyia Griffin (Fr., Nashua, Iowa, Nursing) is next in 17th at 155 pounds, while Mami Selemani (So., Iowa City, Iowa, Business Management) is 18th at 123 pounds. Brittany Cotter (Fr., Katy, Texas, Nursing) gives WPU a second ranked individual at 116 pounds (20th).

As a team, William Penn is 23rd with 18 points, while Campbellsville (Ky.) is first with 182 points. Grand View (170), Menlo (Calif.) (169), Life (Ga.) (162), and Southern Oregon (157) round out the top five.

Steinkamp and Ruano are heading the Statesmen in the Heart of America Athletic Conference rankings with both being third.

The trio of Selemani, Griffin, and 170-pounder Andrea Smith (Fr., Rochester, N.Y.) are all fourth, while Cotter is fifth.

William Penn currently sits in fifth place out of seven teams with 83 points, while Grand View is at the top with 224 points.