Warriors Gain Mat Time in Grand View Open

DES MOINES, Iowa – Seven Midland University wrestlers competed at the Grand View Open on Saturday inside Dave Sisam Arena. Leading the way for the Warriors was Makena Schramm, who placed fourth in the Silver 145-pound bracket.

At 103 pounds, Kyra Gonzalez went 0-2. She lost by technical fall (14-1) to Grace Conner of York in the opening round. In the consolation bracket, Gonzalez was pinned by Jennifer Verdin of Dickinson State in 32 seconds.

Destiny Castillo wrestled at 110 pounds and finished 1-2. She fell to Kinzie Rogers of Baker by technical fall (12-2) in the first round. After receiving a bye in the first consolation round, Castillo pinned Bentley Hills of Upper Iowa at 2:40. In the third consolation round, she was defeated by Andrea Karagiannis of Missouri Baptist by a 9-4 decision.

At 131 pounds, Brianna Gayton and Eny Bravo represented Midland. Gayton received a first-round bye but fell to Abbigail Smith of Indian Hills CC by pin at 5:07. After another bye in the second consolation round, she was pinned by Ivy Davis of Fort Hays State at 2:01. Bravo also had a first-round bye and lost to Madeline Black of Dickinson State by fall at 4:13 in the second round. After a bye in the second consolation round, Bravo earned an 8-4 decision over Emily Hill of Minot State. In the fourth consolation round, she was pinned by Elizabeth Riggs of Missouri Valley in 58 seconds.

Abigale Holtz posted a 2-2 record at 138 pounds. She opened with a 6-4 decision over Amalie Lucero of Grand View. In the second round, she fell to Aspen DeHerrera of Wayland Baptist by an 8-2 decision. Holtz rebounded with a 10-0 technical fall over Krystol Luna of Iowa Central CC in the second consolation round. Her tournament ended in the third consolation round with a narrow 8-6 loss to Jaclyn Riedinger of Avila.

Schramm, competing at 145 pounds, went 4-2 to place fourth. After a first-round bye, she pinned Iasiah Turrentine (Iowa Central CC, unattached) at 2:15. In the third round, Schramm recorded a 12-second pin over Savannah Brehm of Dickinson State. She continued her strong performance in the quarterfinals, pinning Madilyn Rowson of Central in 40 seconds. In the semifinals, Schramm dropped a hard-fought 10-8 decision to Trinity Donovan of Quincy. She rebounded in the consolation semifinals with another win over Brehm, securing a fall at 5:21. In the third-place match, Schramm fell to Noa Arnold of Simpson by a 7-2 decision.

At 160 pounds, Ja'nya Banks finished 2-2. After a first-round bye, she defeated Erika Peterson of Wartburg by a 2-0 decision. In the third round, Banks won by technical fall (10-0) over Emma Thompson of Carl Albert State. She suffered her first loss in the quarterfinals, falling to Abby Piper of William Woods by an 8-4 decision. Her tournament ended in the sixth consolation round, where she was pinned by Sophia Sosa of Quincy at 1:44.

No. 20-ranked Midland will return home for its Senior Night dual on Friday, Feb. 7, when it hosts No. 15 Hastings. Competition is set to begin at 6 p.m. inside the Wikert Event Center with the honoring of this year's senior class before the dual.