Recap of NCAA Regionals, List of National Qualifiers

Alara Boyd & the powerhouse program McKendree Bearcats won every single weight at the Southwest Regional. This pic is from Senior Nationals 2019, courtesy of Tony Rotundo / WrestlersAreWarriors.com.

by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer
Twitter: @awwnewsfeed @AWWderek

It was an historic weekend for NCAA wrestling programs as inaugural regional qualifiers were held all over the U.S. to advance the top four at each weight to the 2021 Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Tiffin, Ohio on March 6th.

Powerhouse programs McKendree and King dominated their regionals, with the Bearcats getting a clean sweep of all ten weights and the Tornado winning 7/10 weights. Meanwhile, in a battle of two young programs, North Central edged Augsburg in the team race at the Northwest Regional, while Tiffin won the Northeast Regional. Here’s a quick look at each qualifier.

Northeast Regional
Tiffin flexed some muscle, outscoring 2nd place Adrian 190.5 to 159.5, advancing 13 to Nationals and boasting 5 regional champs. Tiffin’s 101 Shanna Morris, 116 Sugey Ceja, 123 Trinity Berry, 155 Marta Ojeda, and 191 Jessie Lee all won regional titles. Berry upset the #1 seed Caleeann Blarr of Gannon by fall and went on to defeat her teammate #8 ranked Stephanie Mondragon by fall in the finals at the 3:36 mark. Another teammate, Marta Ojeda, had a similar Cinderella day, upsetting the #1 seed Annabelle Helm of Gannon and then defeating the #3 seed in the finals 6-1, teammate and All-American Taylor Hites. Meanwhile, Adrian landed four regional champs with 109 Emily Mendez, 136 Elisa Cox, 143 Zoe Nowicki—who was also the 2020 WCWA National Champion—and #4 ranked Jessie Lee, who dominated her way to the title with a tech fall in the semis and a pin in the finals. Gannon had a regional champ in 130-pound Lana Perez.

Northwest Regional
North Central won the team race as they advance 13 to Nationals, with #6 ranked Asia Nguyen-Smith winning the regional title at 123, and #1 ranked Yelena Makoyed cruising to a regional title at 170. Even with the Cardinals placing 1st, it was Augsburg on top in many of the finals, as they landed 6 regional champs, including several big upsets. At 130, #4 ranked Gabby Skidmore pulled off the upset in the finals over #2 Amanda Martinez of North Central, a 2-1 chess match. At 136, unranked Autumn Flanigan won the title in an all-Augsburg final over teammate Savannah Vold. Augsburg star Emily Shilson won it at 109, Kya Rybachek won it over teammate Kahlea Jolly in another all-Augsburg final at 143, #2 ranked Marlynne Deede beat out North Central’s #5 Malea Palahniuk at 155, and 191 Melissa Jacobs won her final over University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Tabitha Breitrick.

Southeast Regional
King did King things, scoring 7 regional champs and advancing 14 to Nationals in Tiffin, Ohio. Jackie McNichols continued her breakout season with a win in the 101 finals over 2019 WCWA finalist Angie Gomez of Emmanuel. Meanwhile, teammates #2 ranked Aleeah Gould (109), #1 ranked Cheyenne Sisenstein (123), #3 ranked Allison Petix (130), #3 ranked Ana Luciano (136), #2 ranked Ashlynn Ortega (143), and #2 ranked Tavi Heidelberg (191) all won their weight classes. Emmanuel took second behind King, advancing 9 to Nationals and claiming two regional titles in 155 Kayla Marano—ranked #1 in the NCAA—and Heaven Byrd at 170, who pulled off the 8-8 upset over #5 ranked Nia Crosdale. One final that had some heat was at 130, as #3 ranked Allison Petix of King got the second period fall over #6 ranked Emily Se of Emmanuel in a back and forth match with multiple challenges and an overturned call. Se set the tone early, charging out of the gate and hitting the double in the early seconds of the match. Down 9-3 in the second, Petix locked up a near side cradle to get the fall and the win at 3:40. Lots of composure for the savvy veteran, setting the stage for a juicy rematch at Nationals.

Southwest Regional
As mentioned, McKendree swept the table, winning all ten weight classes, though it wasn’t easy, as #2 ranked Joye Levendusky won a battle of shot clock points 2-1 over #3 ranked Tristan Kelly at 170 to lock in the remarkable team achievement. With 191 an all-McKendree final, the announcer pointed out that Kelly was the last hope to avoid McKendree running the table. Up 2-1 late in the second period, Levendusky defended a shot from Kelly in the final 30 seconds to get the win and the Bearcat sweep. McKendree got help from some unfortunate circumstances, as #2 ranked Marissa Gallegos at 123 forfeited her finals match to #4 Payton Stroud, an opponent she’d beaten by fall earlier this season. Winning it for McKendree was 101-pound freshman Lizette Rodriguez—who pulled the upset in the finals over teammate & returning national champion Pauline Granados—#3 ranked Natalie Reyna (109), #1 ranked Felicity Taylor (116), #4 ranked Payton Stroud (123), #1 ranked Cameron Guerin (130), #4 ranked Brenda Reyna (136), #1 (at 136) ranked Emma Bruntil (143), #1 ranked (at 143) Alara Boyd (155), #2 ranked Joye Levendusky (170), and #1 ranked Sydnee Kimber (191). Rising program Colorado Mesa took 2nd at the regional, advancing 12 to Nationals and putting 6 in the finals, including three freshmen in 130-pound Nanen Aguilar, 155-pound Zoe Gress, and 170-pound Tristan Kelly.

Results from the NCWWC Regional Qualifiers held February 20-21st. All qualifiers will compete at the Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Tiffin, Ohio, on Saturday, March 6th.

TOP 3 TEAM FINISHES

Northeast Regional
1. Tiffin University, OH - 190.5
2. Adrian College, MI - 159.5
3. Gannon University, PA - 131.5

Northwest Regional
1. North Central College, IL - 156.0
2. Augsburg University, MN - 146.0
3. Wisconsin Stevens Point, WI - 115.0

Southeast Regional
1. King University, TN - 160.5
2. Emmanuel College, GA - 129.5
3. Presbyterian University, SC - 66.0

Southwest Regional
1. McKendree University, IL - 189.5
2. Colorado Mesa University, CO - 129.5
3. Lindenwood University , MO - 81.0

ALL NATIONAL QUALIFIERS:
NCAA rankings noted.

101

Northeast Regional
1st Place - #7 Shanna Morris of Tiffin University
2nd Place - Trinity Oredina of Tiffin University
3rd Place - Modestie Hitchcock of Adrian College
4th Place - Leila Garrido of Gannon University

Northwest Regional
1st Place - #6 Brooke Thurber of Wisconsin Stevens Point
2nd Place - Kate Cacho of North Central College
3rd Place - Hannah Michael of Augsburg University

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #1 Jaclyn McNichols of King University
2nd Place - #3 Angelina Gomez of Emmanuel College
3rd Place - #8 Sam Miller of Presbyterian University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #4 Lizette Rodriguez of McKendree University
2nd Place - #2 Pauline Granados of McKendree University
3rd Place - #5 Jennesis Martinez of Colorado Mesa University

109

Northeast Regional
1st Place - #8 Emily Mendez of Adrian College
2nd Place - Johnae Drumright of New Jersey City University
3rd Place - #7 Brooke Richards of Tiffin University
4th Place - Riley Morrison of Trine

Northwest Regional
1st Place - #1 Emily Shilson of Augsburg University
2nd Place - Angelina Graff of North Central College
3rd Place - Alaina Sunlin of Iowa Wesleyan
4th Place - Kelly Enriquez of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #2 Aleeah Gould of King University
2nd Place - #5 Cassy Lopez of Presbyterian University
3rd Place - Samantha Larsen of King University
4th Place - Katerina Pendergrass of Ferrum College

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #3 Natalie Reyna of McKendree University
2nd Place - Valeriia Mamleeva of Lindenwood University
3rd Place - #5 Carly Valleroy of McKendree University
116

Northeast Regional
1st Place - #2 Sugey Ceja of Tiffin University
2nd Place - #8 Angela LoRusso of Adrian College
3rd Place - Nikoly Dos Santos of Gannon University

Northwest Regional
1st Place - Abby Nelson of Wisconsin Stevens Point
2nd Place - Sarah Martinez of North Central College
3rd Place - Ashden Welty of Iowa Wesleyan
4th Place - Elizah Leonard of North Central College

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #3 Jaslyn Gallegos of Presbyterian University
2nd Place - #5 Kasey Baynon of Emmanuel College
3rd Place - #3 (at 123) Sophia Mirabella of King University
4th Place - #4 Melanie Mendoza of King University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #1 Felicity Taylor of McKendree University
2nd Place - #6 Alina Kinsey of Schreiner University
3rd Place - Anja Tschohl of Colorado Mesa University
4th Place - Katherine Sumner of McKendree University

123

Northeast Regional
1st Place - Trinity Berry of Tiffin University
2nd Place - #8 Stephanie Mondragon of Tiffin University
3rd Place - Caleeann Blarr of Gannon University
4th Place - Jaryn Strong of Adrian College

Northwest Regional
1st Place - #6 Asia Nguyen-Smith of North Central College
2nd Place - Mateah Roehl of North Central College
3rd Place - Maddie Ruckdashel of Lakeland University
4th Place - Morgan Bethea of Wisconsin Stevens Point

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #1 Cheyenne Sisenstein of King University
2nd Place - Makayla Welch of King University
3rd Place - Alexandra Herle of Emmanuel College
4th Place - #7 (at 130) Gabriela Ramos Diaz of Limestone University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #4 Payton Stroud of McKendree University
2nd Place - #2 Marissa Gallegos of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - Elizabeth Miller of Colorado Mesa University
4th Place - Emalie Olson of Lindenwood University

130

Northeast Regional
1st Place - Lana Perez of Gannon University
2nd Place - #7 (at 130) Eunique Davis of Tiffin University
3rd Place - Naomi Henry of New Jersey City University
4th Place - Mackenzie Tayerle of Adrian College

Northwest Regional
1st Place - #4 Gabby Skidmore of Augsburg University
2nd Place - #2 Amanda Martinez of North Central College
3rd Place - Sierra Brown Ton of Augsburg University
4th Place - Kate Gunderson of Lakeland University

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #3 Allison Petix of King University
2nd Place - #6 Emily Se of Emmanuel College
3rd Place - #5 Phoenix Dubose of King University
4th Place - Leidaly Rivera of Limestone University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #1 Cameron Guerin of McKendree University
2nd Place - Nanen Aguilar of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - Jasmine Ward of Lindenwood University
4th Place - Ja`Mae Barnes of Colorado Mesa University

136

Northeast Regional
1st Place - Elisa Cox of Adrian College
2nd Place - Lindsey Beans-Polk of Gannon University
3rd Place - Shawna Oesterling of Adrian College
4th Place - Paige Lenhardt of Tiffin University

Northwest Regional
1st Place - Autumn Flanigan of Augsburg University
2nd Place - Savannah Vold of Augsburg University
3rd Place - #8 Abigail Denney of North Central College
4th Place - Daisy Scholz of Iowa Wesleyan

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #3 Ana Luciano of King University
2nd Place - #6 Julia Padilla of Emmanuel College
3rd Place - Jorie Richardson of Presbyterian University
4th Place - Lillian Humphries of Presbyterian University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #4 Brenda Reyna of McKendree University
2nd Place - #2 Dalia Garibay of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - Michelle Camacho of McKendree University
4th Place - Natalie Cregger of Lindenwood University

143

Northeast Regional
1st Place - #4 Zoe Nowicki of Adrian College
2nd Place - Nia Miranda of Tiffin University
3rd Place - #7 Megan Vondrasek of Adrian College
4th Place - Aliya Martin of Tiffin University

Northwest Regional
1st Place - Kya Rybachek of Augsburg University
2nd Place - Kahlea Jolly of Augsburg University
3rd Place - Savannah Hisel of Wisconsin Stevens Point
4th Place - Raena Schledwitz of North Central College

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #2 Ashlynn Ortega of King University
2nd Place - #5 (at 136) Felicity Bryant of Emmanuel College
3rd Place - #3 Morgan Norris of Presbyterian University
4th Place - Destiny Benjamin of Ferrum College

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #1 (at 136) Emma Bruntil of McKendree University
2nd Place - #5 Kaylee Lacy of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - #8 Jordan Johnston of Schreiner University
4th Place - Taylor Reed of Westminster University

155

Northeast Regional
1st Place - Marta Ojeda of Tiffin University
2nd Place - #4 Taylor Hites of Tiffin University
3rd Place - #8 (at 170) Annabelle Helm of Gannon University
4th Place - Maggie Elliott of Adrian College

Northwest Regional
1st Place - #2 Marlynne Deede of Augsburg University
2nd Place - #5 Malea Palahniuk of North Central College
3rd Place - Clara Padua-Cruz of Iowa Wesleyan
4th Place - Destynie Pacheco of Augsburg University

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #1 Kayla Marano of Emmanuel College
2nd Place - #3 Viktorya Torres of King University
3rd Place - Caitlyn Gilmore of Limestone University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #1 (at 143) Alara Boyd of McKendree University
2nd Place - #7 Zoe Gress of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - #8 Julianna Moreno of Lindenwood University
4th Place - Mia Dow of Lindenwood University

170

Northeast Regional
1st Place - Jasmine Hale of Adrian College
2nd Place - Morgan Davidson of Tiffin University
3rd Place - Sienna Lejeune of Adrian College
4th Place - Danielle Floor of Gannon University

Northwest Regional
1st Place - #1 Yelena Makoyed of North Central College
2nd Place - Faith Tuttle of Augsburg University
3rd Place - Madison Horn of Augsburg University
4th Place - Hana Richter of North Central College

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #7 Heaven Byrd of Emmanuel College
2nd Place - #5 Nia Crosdale of King University
3rd Place - Morganne Flinkstrom of Ferrum College

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #2 Joye Levendusky of McKendree University
2nd Place - #3 Tristan Kelly of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - Caylee Collins of Colorado Mesa University
4th Place - Valerie Gaytan of Lindenwood University

191

Northeast Regional
1st Place - #4 Jessie Lee of Tiffin University
2nd Place - #5 Amara Devericks of Gannon University
3rd Place - Sandra Guerrero of New Jersey City University
4th Place - Erin Murray of Delaware Valley University

Northwest Regional
1st Place - Melissa Jacobs of Augsburg University
2nd Place - Tabitha Breitrick of Wisconsin Stevens Point
3rd Place - Amber Latta of North Central College
4th Place - Kassandra Ayard of Iowa Wesleyan

Southeast Regional
1st Place - #2 Tavi Heidelberg-Tollson of King University
2nd Place - #3 Cristina Santoyo of Emmanuel College
3rd Place - Leya Deickman of Ferrum College
4th Place - Destiny Baltierra of Limestone University

Southwest Regional
1st Place - #1 Sydnee Kimber of McKendree University
2nd Place - #6 (at 170) Grace Kristoff of McKendree University
3rd Place - #7 Isabeau Shalack of Colorado Mesa University
4th Place - Kai Poux of Fontbonne University