Walker Leads Warriors at Waldorf Open
FOREST CITY, Iowa – Esther Walker claimed the 101-pound title, leading four Midland University wrestlers to medals at the Waldorf Open on Saturday inside the John K. Hansen Fieldhouse. In the first multi-team open tournament of the season, the Warriors had eight competitors, all of which earned victories.
Walker and Zoe Omura represented Midland in the 101-pound division. Walker (6-0) won her opening round match by fall over Graciela Reyes (York) in 25 seconds. In round two, Walker claimed a victory over Teya Garner of William Penn by forfeit. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Mana Chanthasone (Chadron) by technical fall, 10-0. Walker matched that effort in her semifinal round bout with a 10-0 technical fall victory over Mia Siqueiros (Iowa Western CC). In the Championship bout, Walker defeated Alyssa Quezaire (Missouri Baptist) by fall in 5:58.
Omura (3-3) claimed sixth place in the weight class. After receiving a first-round bye, she won by technical fall over Britley Lopez (Chadron), 10-0. In the quarterfinals, Omura picked up a victory by fall over Sage Beltran (Missouri Valley), in 45 seconds. In the semifinals, Alyssa Quezaire (Missouri Baptist) defeated Omura 12-4. Omura forfeited out of her last two matches, to Jalen Bets (Grand View) in the consolation Semifinals, and to Beltran (Missouri Valley) in the fifth-place match.
Serenity Durham-Goree represented the Warriors in the 116-pound class. Durham-Goree (3-2) won her opening round match over Citori Bosserman (Unattached) by forfeit. In the second round, she was defeated by fall versus Abigail Halstead (Baker) in 1:52. Durham-Goree received a bye in the consolation second round, then picked up a win by technical fall over Andrea Karagiannis (Missouri Baptist), 12-0, in the third round. Durham-Goree just missed out on the medal round, falling to Ady Lundquist (Sioux Falls) in the consolation fourth round, by fall in 2:24.
Brianna Gaytan went 2-2 on the day in the 123-pound class. Gaytan (3-3) suffered a loss in her opening round match. Mikayla Jardine (Dickinson State) defeated Gaytan by technical fall, 10-0. She won her consolation first-round match by forfeit over Rosa Campos (Unattached). Gaytan also earned a win by forfeit in consolation round 2 over Amanda Durrant (Waldorf University). In consolation round three, Gaytan was pinned by Khylie Wainwright (Wartburg), in 3:54.
Emily Paulino was the third Warrior to place, taking third in the 130-pound class. Paulino (7-1) began her day with a 10-0, technical fall win over Tatiana Garcia (William Penn). In round two, Paulino won by fall over Abigail Mattson (Missouri Baptist University) in 1:49. Paulino's lone loss of the day occurred in the quarterfinals when Kylie Rule (Wartburg) recorded an 18-8 technical fall over the Warrior. In the consolation fourth round, Paulino won by fall over Autumn Barela (Central Methodist University) in 36 seconds. Paulino moved into the medal round with a win by fall over Ashley Cannon (Simpson) in 1:17 of the Consolation Round Five match. In the consolation semifinals, Paulino pinned Josephine Wearmouth (Simpson) in 1:18. Wrapping up her long day, Paulino claimed third place with a 10-0, technical fall, over Brooklyn Garza (Simpson).
Eny Bravo wrestled for Midland at 136 pounds. Bravo (1-3) dropped her first-round match to Mckenna Deckelman (Central Methodist) in a 10-0, technical fall. After receiving a bye through the consolation first round, Bravo picked up her first win of the year by fall over Adelle Patterson (Simpson) in 5:31. In the consolation third round, Bravo was defeated by Andrea Yates (Southeast CC), by a 10-0, technical fall.
Andrea Frisque took to the mat for Midland at 143 pounds. Frisque (3-2) suffered a loss in the first round to Nevaeh Leonard (Southeast CC), by a 10-0 technical fall. Frisque bounced back in the consolation first round with a victory by fall over Josie Biffar (Morningside), in 1:32. In the consolation second round, Frisque pinned Briana Quiroz (Waldorf) in 5:56. However, in consolation round three, Frisque lost to Berlin Kiddoo (Central Methodist) by a 10-0, technical fall.
The final wrestler to compete for the Warriors was the fourth Midland grappler to place. Makena Schramm earned a sixth-place showing at 155 pounds. Schramm (6-3) began her day with a win by fall over Kayte Yaw (GVWC) in 3:49. In round two, Schramm was defeated by Ferny Hernandez (Iowa Western CC), in a 10-0 technical fall. Schramm picked up four straight wins in the consolation rounds. Schramm pinned Renee Miguel (Waldorf University) in 2:03 in the consolation round two. In consolation round three, Schramm pinned Annsleigh Alexander (Central Methodist) in 46 seconds. In consolation round four, Schramm earned another pin, this time over Leilani Rodriquez (Grand View University) in 1:22. Schramm moved herself into the medal round with a 6-5 decision over Emma Meadows (Chadron), in consolation Round Five. In the consolation semifinals, Schramm lost to Anastasia Hardin (Missouri Baptist), by a 10-0, technical fall. In the fifth-place match, Ferny Hernandez (Iowa Western CC) defeated Schramm for the second time on the day, this time by fall in 3:00.
"I couldn't be any happier with how the team performed today. We went out there, wrestled hard, and loved each other through it all," commented head coach Chelsea Dionisio. "With all first tournaments of the season, there are some things that need to be sharpened and sharpen them we will. This is a special group of ladies and I'm excited to see what the rest of the season has in store."
The Warrior women return to action, next weekend, at the Missouri Valley Open. Competition begins Saturday, November 17 at 12:00 p.m. and continues, Sunday, November 18 at 9:00 a.m. at the Burns Athletic Complex in Marshall, Missouri.