Warriors Finish Fifth at KCAC Duals

YORK, Neb. – No. 18-ranked Midland University competed in the KCAC Duals on Saturday inside the Freeman Center on the campus of York University. Midland went 1-1 in pool competition to advance to the Silver Bracket. In the final grouping, they went 1-1 once more to claim a fifth placing showing as a team.

In pool play, the Warriors began the day with a 26-20 victory over (RV) York. At 101 pounds, Midland's 12th-ranked Zoe Omura defeated Ella Whitaker by fall at 0:49. Esther Walker wrestled at 109 pounds. Although, ranked No. 6 in NAIA at 101, Walker bumped up in weight for the dual competitions and opened with a 10-0 technical fall victory over York's Graciela Reyes. Serenity Durham-Goree recorded a victory at 116 pounds over Allison Doppenberg, by fall, at 0:31. York recorded its first bout win at 123 pounds when Celeste Tellez defeated Midland's Taylor Hood by technical fall, 10-0. At 130 pounds, 12th-ranked Emily Paulino defeated Ryllee Hoppe, by fall, at 0:28. At 136, Midland's Samantha Segura-Veliz lost to Brisa Salas, by fall, at 0:55. In the 143-pound bout, York's Lauren Tucker defeated Eny Bravo, by fall, at 1:36. Andrea Frisque picked up an 11-4 victory over Amelia Coykendall, at 155 pounds. Midland was open at 170 pounds, giving York's Aime Hernandez a victory to make the score 22-20, in favor of the Warriors, going into the final bout of the dual. At 191 pounds, Jasmin Ballesteros secured the team victory with a 12-0 technical fall over Alison Coykendall, to make the final, 26-20.

The second dual in pool play had Midland battling No. 15 Ottawa University. The Braves claimed the dual victory, 38-10. At 101 pounds, Zoe Omura defeated Erin Wetterstrom, by fall, at 2:18. Esther Walker picked up another victory, with a fall over Alejandra Mezano, in 2:14. However, Ottawa would win the final eight bouts of the dual. At 116, Serenity Durham-Goree lost to Addison Saporito, by fall, in 1:34. Taylor Hood suffered a loss at 123 to Emma Truex, by fall, in 1:35. At 130, Emily Paulino was upset by Ottawa's Peyton Hand, by fall, at 4:20. Samantha Segura-Veliz dropped her bout at 136 pounds to Madelynn Griffin, by fall, at 0:21. At 143 pounds, 9th-ranked Randie Scoon defeated the Warriors' Eny Bravo Torcios, by fall, in 0:38. Andrea Frisque suffered a loss, 3-0, to Kaydence Bonewell, at 155 pounds. Midland was open at 170, giving Ottawa's Akaiya Tinsley the victory. In the 191-pound bout, Jasmin Ballesteros lost to Jolie Ziegler by fall, at 0:33, making the final score, 38-10.

After going 1-and-1 in Pool A, Midland competed in the Silver Bracket. In the first dual, Midland lost to (RV) Jamestown, 27-20. Zoe Omura picked up a win at 101 pounds by forfeit. Midland was open at 109 pounds, giving Jamestown's Rayana Sahagun the victory. Serenity Durham-Goree defeated Jenna Gerhardt at 116 pounds, by technical fall, 10-0. At 123, Taylor Hood lost to Samantha Weeks, by technical fall, 10-0. Emily Paulino received a victory, via forfeit, at 130 pounds. At 136, Marissa Burt defeated Midland's Eny Bravo, by fall, at 2:52. Samantha Segura-Veliz recorded a win at 143 pounds, by fall, over Kaylee Narlock, in 2:08, putting Midland ahead, 19-14. However, the Jimmies won the final three bouts of the dual. Allyssa Johnson defeated Andrea Frisque at 155 pounds, 10-5, making the score, 20-17, Midland. Open weight classes in the final two bouts handed Jamestown the win. At 170, Hannah Sjostrom, and at 191, Agatha Andrews, both received victories by forfeit, giving Jamestown the 27-20 win.

 The final dual of the day for the Warriors was against (RV) Avila. Midland picked up a 26-25 victory, determined by criteria, after a 25-all, tie. In the 101-pound match, Zoe Omura defeated Asha Pearson, by fall, at 0:49. Esther Walker earned a win at 109 pounds, as Avila was open. In the 116-pound bout, Avila's 15th-ranked Markayla Lottie defeated Serenity Durham-Goree, by fall, at 0:31. Taylor Hood earned a win for the Warriors at 123 pounds, by fall, over Julia Datus, at 0:51. Emily Paulino defeated Byanca Cook, by fall, at 0:39, at 130 pounds. At 136, Jaclyn Riedinger defeated Midland's Samantha Segura-Veliz, by fall, at 2:35. At 143 pounds, 20th-ranked Sara Sauresjhani defeated the Warriors' Eny Bravo, by fall, in 2:09. The final Midland victory came at 155 pounds, when Andrea Frisque defeated Kirsten Bruegel, by fall, at 1:41. Midland was open at 170 pounds, giving Avila's Susana Mondragon the victory. Midland led 25-20, going into the final bout of the dual. At 191 pounds, Avila's 19th-ranked Shan Briggs defeated Jasmin Ballesteros, by fall, at 0:50. By criteria, both teams recorded four wins by fall, plus, both teams recorded one victory via forfeit. Midland received the team criteria point, as the four pin-fall times were shorter than Avila's four pin-fall times.

In the Gold Division, Ottawa took first place, followed by Hastings College, and the University of St. Mary. In the Silver Division, Jamestown was first, followed by Midland, and then Avila. In the Bronze Division, York took first, followed by Doane University, then Friends University. The Copper Division saw Dakota Wesleyan University take first, followed by Morningside University

The No. 18-ranked Warriors return to action Saturday, February 3 at the Grand View Open in Des Moines, Iowa.