William Penn Bounces Back with Pair of Victories to Close Out National Duals

Cedar Falls–The William Penn women’s wrestling team competed much better in its second day of competition at the NWCA National Duals by winning twice Saturday.

The Statesmen (2-2), who were battling in the 13-16 seed bracket, started the day with a 30-15 victory over Doane (Neb.) before holding off Eastern Oregon 23-19 to finish 13th in the NAIA division.

WPU pulled out to a 13-0 lead over the Tigers, beginning with Teya Garner (Fr., San Antonio, Texas, Biology) pinning Karina Vang in 1:16 at 101 pounds.

109-pounder Mya Turnmire (Sr., Machesney Park, Ill., Sports Management) then shut out Kimberly Navarette 11-0 for a technical fall win.

Catherine Steinkamp (Jr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science) kept the momentum at 116 pounds by also winning 11-0 over Taylor Weber.

130-pounder Devin Patton (So., Plano, Texas, Business Management) pinned Brooke Cox in 1:14, while Adaugo Nwachukwu (Jr., San Jose, Calif., Exercise Science) won by fall over Brianna Membreno in 31 seconds at 136 pounds.

Isabelle Hawley (So., Winchester, Calif., Sociology) got past Bridgette Sotomayor 6-2 at 143 pounds, while Ashley Lekas (So., Plano, Texas, Business Management) dropped Lamia Benn in a 10-0 technical fall.

Garner’s forfeit at 101 pounds gave WPU an early lead over Eastern Oregon. Alexis Montes (Fr., El Paso, Texas, Exercise Science) then held off Irma Retano 8-2 at 116 pounds, while Patton put the Statesmen up for good at 130 pounds with a 10-0 technical fall over Anna Rodriguez.

Nwachukwu defeated Lexie Garza by a 12-0 technical fall at 136 pounds, and 143-pounder Naida Abdijanovic (So., St. Louis, Mo., Biology) shut out Madelyn Mazemke 7-0.

Lekas eventually clinched the navy and gold win with a 10-0 technical fall victory over Anna McDougal at 170 pounds.

“This was a great environment for our team to see what it is like at the highest collegiate level,” Head Coach Jake Kadel said. “After a rough first day, we bounced back on Saturday. These were our first duals of the year and I think this helped our team chemistry. We have our first couple home duals coming up, so we will take what we learned from this weekend and hopefully make the necessary adjustments to put on a show for our home crowd.”

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Thursday to host Central Methodist in a Heart of America Athletic Conference dual meet at 7 p.m.

WPU 30, Doane 15

101–Teya Garner (W) won by fall over Karina Vang, 1:16 (5-0)
109–Mya Turnmire (William Penn) won by technical fall over Kimberly Navarette, 11-0 (9-0)
116–Catherine Steinkamp (W) won by technical fall over Taylor Weber, 11-0 (13-0)
123–Cristelle Rodriguez (D) won by fall over Grecia Martinez, 0:42 (13-5)
130–Devin Patton (W) won by fall over Brooke Cox, 1:14 (18-5)
136–Adaugo Nwachukwu (W) won by fall over Brianna Membreno, 0:31 (23-5)
143–Isabelle Hawley (W) won by decision over Bridgette Sotomayor, 6-2 (26-6) (Doane scored a team point)
155–Aspen Barber (D) won by technical fall over Kylee Eastwood, 10-0 (26-10)
170–Ashley Lekas (W) won by technical fall over Lamia Benn, 10-0 (30-10)
191–Hailey Romero (D) won by fall over Samantha Ruano, 3:39 (30-15)

WPU 23, Eastern Oregon 19

101–Teya Garner (W) won by forfeit (5-0)
109–Nayeli Flores Roque (E) won by decision over Mya Turnmire, 3-0 (5-3) (WPU scored a team point)
116–Alexis Montes (W) won by decision over Irma Retano, 8-2 (8-4) (Eastern Oregon scored a team point)
123–Paige Chafin (E) won by fall over Grecia Martinez, 1:37 (8-9)
130–Devin Patton (W) won by technical fall over Anna Rodriguez, 10-0 (12-9)
136–Adaugo Nwachukwu (W) won by technical fall over Lexie Garza, 12-0 (16-9)
143–Naida Abdijanovic (W) won by decision over Madelyn Mazemke, 7-0 (19-9)
155–Liv Wieber (E) won by fall over Kylee Eastwood, 1:09 (19-14)
170–Ashley Lekas (W) won by technical fall over Anna McDougal, 10-0 (23-12)
191–Trinity Tafoya (E) won by fall over Samantha Ruano, 4:12 (23-19)