McKendree, Menlo Win National Titles
2020 NWCA/NCAA National Duals Champions McKendree Bearcats.
by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - 19-19? It’s only right it went this way. When #1 seed McKendree met up with #2 Simon Fraser in the finals, it was a matchup of two juggernaut lineups in the first ever NWCA National Duals with an NCAA division. It came down to the last match, with McKendree’s Sydnee Kimber getting the 10-2 victory over #1 ranked Emily Cue in the 191 bout. McKendree won the match 19-19 by criteria.
The final was a back and forth affair, with upset wins by Simon Fraser’s Karla Godinez-Gonzalez over Felicity Taylor at 116, McKendree’s Alexia Ward bumping up to 130 to get the win over Lauren Mason, Simon Fraser’s Alyvia Fiske over #1 Alex Glaude at 155, and then Kimber dominating Cue. McKendree breakout star Emma Bruntil also got a victory over Nicole Depa at 136, while U23 bronze winner Kori Bullock of McKendree downed Rebekah Trudel 9-0.
Both squads dominated their way to the finals, as McKendree had wins over Presbyterian 41-6 and Colorado Mesa 33-7, while Simon Fraser took out Tiffin 38-8, Adrian 29-14, and King 34-5.
The talented King program took 3rd place with a 33-15 over ascending program Colorado Mesa. Earlier in the tournament, King All-American 123 Cheyenne Sisenstein upset #1 ranked Alex Hedrick of SFU 5-1 to take over the #1 spot. In the same King vs. Simon Fraser dual, 143-pound Ana Godinez-Gonzalez of SFU upset #1 ranked Ashlynn Ortega of King University.
Emmanuel came back to get 5th place.
NAIA Division
It was called an “upset” when #3 seed Menlo College downed #2 seed Life University 25-18 in the semis, but that’s a hard sell when you consider that less than a year ago, Menlo was in Atlanta celebrating their first WCWA national team title.
Menlo went on to remind the wrestling world who they are with a 22-19 victory in the finals over #1 seeded Campbellsville. National champion Alleida Martinez did Alleida Martinez things with a tech fall over 2019 WCWA finalist McKayla Campbell, while Tiana Jackson continued her winning ways after making the finals at Senior Nationals with an 8-0 win over All-American Charlotte Fowler at 123. 2019 national champion Abby Nette did her work at 130 for Campbellsville, getting the fall over Menlo’s Laynee Passion, while national champion Solin Piearcy got a fall at 143. Senior Nationals champion Precious Bell of Menlo got her points at 170 with a 10-2 win over the very tough Kenya Sloan.
Again the dual came down to the last match, and though Campbellsville’s Alexandra Castillo won it 10-2, she needed pin to help her team win, but it was not to be.
In the 3rd place match, Life took out Cumberlands 24-18. Wayland Baptist got 5th.
