NAIA Preview Series: #8 Providence
Providence’s All-American Ira Navarro. Photo courtesy of University of Providence Athletics (Karlie David).
by Jeremy Eusterwiemann
@wiems19
The #8 in the NAIA, the University of Providence wrestling team may have caught some people by surprise last year. It was a team that many thought would finish outside the top 15 and they finished the year 7th. This is a team that brings back an incredibly talented core of veterans and has a national champion transferring in. The Argos are a team beaming with confidence and with their talented core and their incoming freshman there is no reason they cannot fight for a top 5 spot and be a dark horse for a team title. Their performance last weekend at the Missouri Valley Open proved this, as several of their women made deep runs in what most consider to be the toughest women’s college tournament of the year. At 101, Ira Navarro took 3rd and Erin Hikiji took 5th, while Ashley Gooman made it to the finals at 116.
Below is an interview with head coach Matt Atwood.
1. What are your reflections on last season?
I was incredibly happy with our national finish. I believe we were ranked pre-season 18th and finished 7th. Our girls set two school records being the school’s first top-10 finish, and five All-Americans being the most in a single season. I loved the way our team developed over the course of the year, not only athletically but the way they became a family. I think a lot of things fell our way at the national tournament, the girls had a very positive mindset heading into nationals which I think contributes to their success, but I also feel we could have finished even better. We struggled in our finals matches last year and in the championship semifinals, but the girls have learned from those matches and I am excited to see how they compete this year.
2. Talk about your returning class. Who are some of the women you have high expectations for this year?
We returned 4 of our 5 All-Americans: 101 Ira Navarro who is pre-season #2 this year, 116 Ashley Gooman who is pre-season #1, 136 Paige Respicio the preseason #2, and Sadie Antoque the pre-season #3. I have lofty expectations this year for returners Gabbie Parini at 130, Dylan Huddy at 155, Jolette Miner-Ho at 170, Alexis Tupuola at 191.
3. Talk about your incoming freshmen class. Who are you excited about and what are some of the names that you expect an immediate contribution from?
I am excited about this freshman class, we expect big things out of Erin Hikiji at 101, Nyla O’Brien at 109, Alicia Frank at 123, Kaianne Sabagala at 130 and transfer 2021 NAIA National Champion Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp.
4. How do you feel about your preseason?
I have been incredibly happy with pre-season. This is the most focused and driven team I have had the pleasure of working with.
5. Talk about some of your team’s goals this season. Are there any specific events you’re excited about?
Our team wants to be national champions and genuinely believe we are capable, I think we have the ability to win a handful of weights this year. We have a very confident team, and we are excited to show the rest of the country that we have what it takes.
6. What are some things you’ve built into your program that you credit for the success you’ve had so far?
I have not done anything; I am extremely fortunate to have these girls and I am simply happy they let me tag along. I am humbled everyday with the work ethic they bring, and I am doing my best to take care of the things behind the scenes so that they can just focus on wrestling.
7. Who are some of the personalities in the room that are providing leadership and shaping your culture?
We have a lot of different personalities in the room, but Ira Navarro, Ashley Gooman, Paige Respicio, Sadie Antoque and newcomer Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp are our leaders. They do an amazing job of leading by example and taking care of business in the classroom. They show up every day with a positive mindset as well as doing the right things outside of school and the success they have had as athletes is a direct representation of that. The girls look up to them and they see the success that comes with following their footsteps. I have been very pleased with our team culture, this team has put in a lot of effort to bond and become a family and I am excited to start traveling with them and watching that bond grow through trips and competition.
8. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
We appreciate you taking the time to highlight our team and hope we can continue this positive growth!