Nartatez Leads Warriors at Waldorf Open
FOREST CITY, Iowa – With the season starting to get fully into a swing of things, Midland University took part in the Waldorf Open on Saturday in Forest City, Iowa. Three Warriors placed at the event inside Hansen Fieldhouse with Keira Nartatez leading the way. The freshman from Santa Maria, California claimed first place in the 124-pound weight class.
No. 19-ranked Midland had two wrestlers compete in the 103-pound division. Zoe Omura, ranked 12th in the NAIA, went 1-2. Omura won her opening-round match over Jennifer Verdin of Dickinson State by technical fall, 10-0. However, an injury halted Omura's day on the mat, and she bowed out of the next two matches by injury default to Mia Siqueiros of Iowa Western Community College and Kyla Schwager of the University of Sioux Falls. Also at 103 pounds for Midland was Kyra Gonzalez, who went 0-2. After a first-round bye, Gonzalez was defeated by Lillian Zapata of William Penn by fall in 43 seconds. After a consolation round two bye, Gonzalez lost to Jennifer Verdin of Dickinson State by fall in 2:46.
Nartatez went a perfect 4-0 in the 124-pound division. After an opening-round bye, Nartatez defeated Brooklyn Lull of Wartburg by technical fall, 10-0. In the quarterfinals, Nartatez won by fall over Rachel Dismuke of the University of Saint Mary in 5:05. Nartatez claimed her spot in the championship by defeating 10th-ranked Allison Hynes of Central Methodist, 8-4. Nartatez won the title bout by technical fall, 13-3, over Leah Chandler of Wartburg.
In the 131-pound division, Eny Bravo went 0-2. Bravo lost to Gia Ritter of Central College, 10-0, by technical fall. In consolation round one, Bravo was defeated by Keela Kary of Minot State by technical fall, 10-0.
The second Warrior to place on the day was Andrea Frisque at 138 pounds. The sophomore from Desert Hot Springs, California, took sixth place. In the opening round, Frisque defeated Brianna Membreno of Doane by fall at 1:18. In round two, Frisque recorded a 10-0 technical fall victory over Gracie Leslie of GVWC. Frisque advanced to the semifinal round with her victory in the quarterfinals over 18th-ranked Niah Smith of Waldorf, 5-4. Frisque suffered her first loss of the day in the semis versus 4th-ranked Kendall Bostelman of William Penn by technical fall, 10-0. In the consolation semifinals, Frisque was pinned by Esperanza Almazan of William Penn in 2:25. Competing in the fifth-place match, Frisque lost to 11th-ranked Lilly Gough of Central Methodist, 8-2.
Maci Avila was the third Warrior to place. The 14th-ranked Avila claimed third at 145 pounds. In the opening round, Avila won by technical fall over Savannah Brehm of Dickinson State, 13-2. Avila's lone loss of the day came in the second round to Avangeline Turner of Grand View, 13-11. Avila advanced through the consolation rounds with six straight wins. In consolation round two, Avila defeated Annsleigh Alexander of Central Methodist by fall in 33 seconds. Avila won her consolation round three match over Cherei Jones of Grand View by fall at 1:45. Avila picked up a win in consolation round four over Ciana Grate of the University of Sioux Falls by fall in 51 seconds. Avila secured herself a spot in the medal round with a consolation round five victory over Alexa Wolf of William Penn by technical fall, 10-0. Avila won her consolation round semifinal match over Julia Chambers of Iowa Western Community College by fall at 2:13. Avila's day ended with a victory in the third-place match, defeating the opponent she lost to earlier, Avangeline Turner of Grand View, by fall in 27 seconds.
Midland had two wrestlers compete at 160 pounds. Makena Schramm went 3-2. Schramm dropped her opening-round match to Anastasia Hardin of Missouri Baptist by technical fall, 11-1. In consolation round one, Schramm defeated Lamia Benn of Doane by technical fall, 10-0. Schramm won her consolation round two bout over Melany Vry of Grand View by fall at 3:44. In consolation round three, Schramm defeated Joy Ortiz of York by fall at 5:25. Schramm's quest for a medal came up short in consolation round four after an 8-4 loss to Jaida Johnson of Wartburg. Ja'nya Banks went 1-2 for Midland at 160. In the opening round, Banks defeated Madilyn Rowson of Central College by fall at 1:23. In round two, Banks lost to Jaida Johnson of Wartburg by fall at 2:25. In consolation round two, Banks was defeated by Grace Britten of Wartburg by fall at 1:07.
9th-ranked Norma Alejandro went 0-2 for the Warriors at 207 pounds, suffering forfeit losses to Zoe Adam of the University of Sioux Falls and Zeriah George of Iowa Western Community College.
Midland will return to action Friday and Saturday, November 22-23, at the Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Missouri.