Arkansas Wrestle (All images via lyonscots.com)
ST. LOUIS, Missouri – The University of Ozarks can lay claim as the innagural preseason pick in SLIAC Women’s Wrestling. This year marks the first the conference will sponsor a wrestling championship, which will be held in February.
Ozarks was chosen 1st by the coaches. With just one senior, Anna Briggs, and one junior, Dirian Porras (a regional placer), the Eagles lean young this year. Rewa Chababo, a sophomore, shined in her first collegiate season; qualifying for nationals last season. April Stanley (130), also a sophomore, is a former state champion. Head Coach Vinny Barber brings in a talented freshman class of Kristin Fonseca (116), Savea Cunningham (123), Claire Wheeler (136), and Brynn Elkins (155); whom all placed in their state tournaments.
Finishing 2nd was Eureka College. Head Coach Eric Biehl will build his team around junio Gada Bryant. Bryant placed at regionals last year, competing at 101 and 109. Also back for the program are a pair of NAIA national qualifiers in McKenzie Cook (143/155) and Audry Driskell (143/155). Coach Biehl hit the recruiting trail hard this year and brings in a class of seven women wrestlers headlined by Kyley Bair (109) who recorded over 100 wins in high school.
Coming in 3rd on the poll was Fontbonne University. The Griffins will be led by regional qualifier Anastasia Georges. Georges wrestles at 123 and is one of three returners for the Griffins; joined by Abby Love (155) and Kai Poux (191), a national qualifier in 2022. Head Coach Chad Cook brought in five newcomers including a state qualifier in Jas Gordon at 143. Fellow new faces include Hallie Becker, Alex Parks, Liberty McKenzie, and Sara Becker.
Shreiner University, an affiliate member of the SLIAC, was picked 4th. Wrestling Director Troy Jewell and Head Coach Tarkyia Mensah lead a program that was established in 2018. Victoria Craft, a senior, and Odelia Lopez, a junior, give the program a pair of returning national qualifiers. The Mountaineers start their season on November 5 at the Falcon Invitational in Wichita, Kansas.
Placing 5th on the poll is Westminster College. The Blue Jays are coached by Tony and Mike Eierman and the program is in its fifth year of inception. Sophomore Kaitlyn Mossinghoff is the anchor of the team, having qualified for nationals last year at 155. She is just the third wrestler in program history to qualify for nationals. Fellow sophomore Natalie Stewart is also back after finishing 8th at regionals last year.
Lyon College was picked 6th and is coached by Shawn Contos. A young team with six freshmen and three juniors, the Scots start their season against SLIAC member Westminster College on November 5 in a dual. Priscilla Luevano, Taja Showers, and Mikayla Wallace will provide the experience for the program while newcomers Rubi Gonzalez, Hanna Hininger, Amy Jacobs, Sidney Milligan, Mallery Nash, and Madisen Nash get acclimated to the collegiate scene.
Blackburn College was chosen 7th this year and are coached by Khris Whelan.
