Omari Wins Title, Statesmen Finish Fourth at Heart Tourney

Baldwin City, Kan.–Salima Omari (So., Iowa City, Iowa) topped her weight class as the William Penn women’s wrestling team battled against the rest of the league at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship Saturday.

WPU placed fourth out of seven teams with 54.5 points, while Grand View claimed the crown with 136.5 points.

Omari headlined the navy and gold by going 3-0 to win the 155-pound title. The sophomore earned one fall and two technical falls, including defeating Mahealani Ramirez of Missouri Valley 12-1 in the championship bout.

She is the second conference champion in program history, joining Mami Selemani (So., Iowa City, Iowa, Business Management) on the list.

Selemani, who won the 123-pound crown last season, unfortunately was unable to defend her title, earning one of William Penn’s three bronzes Saturday. The sophomore was 3-1 with two technical falls and one fall.

116-pounder Catherine Steinkamp (Fr., Quincy, Ill., Biology) and 170-pounder Andrea Smith (Fr., Rochester, N.Y.) also finished third. Steinkamp owned a 3-1 mark, including defeating teammate Brittany Cotter (Fr., Katy, Texas, Nursing) 3-1 in the third-place match.

Smith won once by technical fall to take third.

Cotter, who was a one-time winner, was fourth, as was Gwendolyn Grimes (Fr., Katy, Texas), who finished 2-2 at 130 pounds. Both of Grimes’ victories came via technical fall.

143-pounder Ashleigh Denny (Fr., El Paso, Texas, Undecided) had her hand raised once as well at the Championship.

Next Up: William Penn concludes its season on March 11-12 as it travels to Jamestown, N.D. to compete at the NAIA Invitational.