Freshmen Again Roll to Titles
Des Moines–The William Penn women’s wrestling team had another successful outing Saturday as it placed four individuals at the Grand View Open.
117-pounder Christianah Ogunsanya (Fr., Akure, Nigeria, Kinesiology) and 138-pounder Esther Kolawole (Fr., Akure, Nigeria, Kinesiology) continued their incredible starts as Statesmen as they again claimed titles.
Both individuals were 5-0 with all of their victories coming via technical fall. Ogunsanya, who outscored her opposition 55-4, defeated three individuals in the NAIA’s top 10, including taking down current No.1 Camille Fournier of Texas Wesleyan 12-2 in the championship bout.
Kolawole was not scored upon, posting a 51-0 cumulative score for the day. She dropped the No. 6 wrestler from the NAIA and finished the Open by defeating NCAA No. 5 Haylie Jaffe of McKendree 10-0 for the crown.
America Lopez (So., Val Verde, Calif., Psychology) and Caitlyn Davis (Jr., Hilton Head, S.C., Business Management), who, like Ogunsanya and Kolawole, both also transferred to William Penn at semester break, earned placings Saturday.
Lopez got to the title match at 180 pounds, but had to settle for silver with a 3-1 record. She notched one technical fall and defeated the No. 9 wrestler in the NAIA.
Davis, in her Statesmen debut, placed sixth at 160 pounds. She won her first three matchups to reach the semifinals, but was knocked off and finished with three victories (two by technical fall).
Fellow 160-pounder Alexa Wolf (Fr., Rogers, Ark., Business Management) advanced deep into the consolation bracket, earning one technical fall win.
103-pounder Lily Zapata (Fr., Lewisville, Texas, Sociology), with one fall and one technical fall, and 124-pounder Catherine Steinkamp (Sr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science), who two wins (one via technical fall), had multiple victories Saturday.
Bronwyn Brenneman (Jr., Parnell, Iowa, Biology) recorded one win at 131 pounds as well.
The Open also included a Silver division. 145-pounder Sandra Arellano (So., Wichita, Kan., Biology), with one technical fall, and 160-pounder Kylee Eastwood (Jr., Fontana, Kan., Biology), with one technical fall and one fall, both picked up two wins to lead the remaining Statesmen.
“We had a good day at a tough tournament,” Head Coach Jake Kadel said. “We did good things at an event that featured some of the best NAIA and NCAA schools. I am excited to keep moving forward in preparation for the postseason.”
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Tuesday to host William Woods in a non-conference dual meet at 5 p.m.
