College Wrestling: What We Learned at MoVal 2019
Menlo‘s 2019 WCWA national champion Solin Piearcy at the 2019 Missouri Valley Open. She went on to win the MoVal title at 143.
by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer
MARSHALL, MO - When you opened up TrackWrestling, it wasn’t hard to see that the Missouri Valley Open was the place to be for college wrestlers on Sunday, November 18th. The groups were large and loaded with All-Americans and freshmen hammers ready to make their mark. What did we learn at MoVal 2019? Here’s a few things:
1. The tournament has grown. “The tournament has continued to grow each year and the competition gets better and better,” said Colorado Mesa head coach, Travis Mercado.
McKendree head coach Sam Schmitz agreed.”This is their 7th year as a tournament and I’ve never seen it this tough or this big.”
”It’s a tournament you cannot miss because of the amount of quality opponents that attend,” added Mercado. ”That’s why we wanted to compete this year again.”
2. McKendree is stacked. Even without national champion Alexandria Glaude competing, McKendree won the team title, placing 14 of 21 competitors, including two champions, and seven in the top three. That’s top three in 7/10 weight classes. “They were battling, they were going through a lot of adversity,” said Coach Schmitz of his squad. “A lot of tough matches, a lot of good teams. There’s nowhere to hide here. It was a long long day, but as long as the day is, you get to the end and you say, ‘That was a lot of fun to see what your kids are made of.’”
King also had a nice day, sans Ashlynn Ortega, coming home with two titles and placing seven. Noted: 2019 WCWA team champs Menlo didn‘t bring several of their best, including national champs Alleida Martinez and Grace Figueroa, and Final X participant Precious Bell. Figueroa and Bell competed at the Bill Farrell.
3. The freshmen ain’t playin’. Once again, as has been noted in recent years, incoming freshmen are entering the scene ready to compete. Many made their mark at the MoVal on Sunday, including Emma Bruntil of McKendree (1st at 136), Peyton Prussin of Life University (2nd at 116), Jennesis Martinez of Colorado Mesa (5th at 101), Vayle Baker of Augsburg (4th at 123), Marissa Gallegos of Colorado Mesa (5th at 123), Gabby Skidmore of Augsburg (5th at 130), Cindy Zepeda of Colorado Mesa (2nd at 130), Niya Teresita Gaines of Emmanuel (4th at 130), Alara Boyd of McKendree (3rd at 143), Kaylynn Albrecht of Wayland Baptist (4th at 155), Faith Tuttle of Augsburg (8th at 170) and Gabby Hamilton of Life University (4th at 191). And there are more.
4th place 155-pound Albrecht, a Texan, had a battle with McKendree All-American Joye Levendusky in the 3rd place match, falling 8-4 in an exhausting end-of-day back-and-forth battle. She beat 3x All-American Tatum Sparks 10-6 in the Consi-Semis to get to Levendusky.
”Cindy Zepeda really stood out finishing runner-up to Petix at 130,” said Colorado Mesa’s Mercado of his freshman. “She had great game plans for each match and executed in those matches…It’s fun to see the incoming freshmen battle with the upperclassmen and make a name for themselves.”
4. Programs new and old are rising. Second year program Colorado Mesa placed 6th as a team, and start-ups North Central College and Augsburg took 13th and 19th, respectively. 5th year program Southern Oregon showed itself a contender as their squad took 3rd, while 6th year program Life University showed their progress by taking 4th. Resurgent programs Oklahoma City and University of Providence went 7th and 8th, as Providence showed they intend to compete under new head coach Carlene Sluberski.
5. Cheyenne Sisenstein is back. The King University sophomore is coming off an All-American freshman campaign, where she placed 7th, it was reported after-the-fact, with a broken ankle. After rehab in the offseason, she stepped on the mat at MoVal 2019 and wrestled like a bully, including a 14-6 win in the finals over Menlo’s Tiana Jackson, a rematch against an opponent who defeated her 8-2 at the WCWA Nationals last year.
6. Emma Bruntil likes wrestling and Emma Bruntil is not a nice person, at least on the mat (she’s actually super nice off the mat). She flew from the Bill Farrell in NYC, where she wrestled on Friday, to compete with her team at the MoVal on Sunday. After a head-turning two weeks, where she had victories over Senior world teamers from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., including splitting matches with 2018 World bronze medalist Mallory Velte at the Bill Farrell Open, Bruntil took 1st at the MoVal, outscoring opponents 54-6, including a 10-0 win tech fall over King University’s 2019 WCWA national runner-up Nicole Joseph for the second time this season.
7. Solin Piearcy is smooth. A few people seemed shocked that 143-pound McKendree freshman Alara Boyd, 2x Cadet world medalist, lost in the semis. The answer? “She wrestled Solin Piearcy.” The Menlo senior picked up where she left off after winning the WCWA national title last year, outscoring her opponents 37-1 on the day, beating Boyd 4-1. “Everyone came out here to compete,” said the Californian senior. ”It’s amazing.”
8. MoVal needs to add more mats, or think about going to a 2-day format. Most divisions were 64-woman brackets, and the consistent comment in AWW post-tournament interviews was, “It was a long day…” Competition went non-stop from around 10 a.m. to some time close to 9 p.m. and it wasn’t uncommon for women who placed in the consis to have seven matches before it was all over, often exhausting 6-minute battles between elites.
9. MoVal might be the new multi-divisional “nationals.” With the NAIA and NCAA having their own National Invites at the end of the year, the WCWA might not be what it once was, even as recent as last year. One thing is certain: the future of the WCWA is uncertain. Maybe the future of who’s-the-best-in-the-whole-country will play out at the MoVal? Regardless, its certainly the toughest regular season tournament of the year.
RESULTS
Missouri Valley Open - 101 pounds
1st Place - Nina Pham of Wayland Baptist University
2nd Place - Iverly Navarro of University of Providence
3rd Place - Jaclyn McNichols of King University
4th Place - Pauline Granados of McKendree University
5th Place - Jennesis Martinez of Colorado Mesa University
6th Place - Junnette Caldera of University of Jamestown
7th Place - Jolie Lucas of McKendree University
8th Place - Alaura Couch of Grand View University
1st Place Match: Nina Pham (Wayland Baptist University) won by tech fall over Iverly Navarro (University of Providence) (TF 13-2)
3rd Place Match: Jaclyn McNichols (King University) won by decision over Pauline Granados (McKendree University) (Dec 3-1)
5th Place Match: Jennesis Martinez (Colorado Mesa University) won by injury default over Junnette Caldera (University of Jamestown) (Inj. 0:00)
7th Place Match: Jolie Lucas (McKendree University) won by tech fall over Alaura Couch (Grand View University) (TF 14-3)
Missouri Valley Open - 109
1st Place - McKayla Campbell of Campbellsville University
2nd Place - Yurie Yoneoka of University of Providence
3rd Place - Carly Valleroy of McKendree University
4th Place - Jessica Dehart of Eastern Oregon University
5th Place - Brooke Turber of UW-Stevens Point
6th Place - Aleeah Gould of King University
7th Place - Kateri Rowell of Eastern Oregon Unattached
8th Place - Natalie Reyna of McKendree University
1st Place Match: McKayla Campbell (Campbellsville University) won by tech fall over Yurie Yoneoka (University of Providence) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match: Carly Valleroy (McKendree University) won by tech fall over Jessica Dehart (Eastern Oregon University) (TF 10-0)
5th Place Match: Brooke Turber (UW-Stevens Point) won by fall over Aleeah Gould (King University) (Fall 0:23)
7th Place Match: Kateri Rowell (Eastern Oregon Unattached) won by tech fall over Natalie Reyna (McKendree University) (TF 10-0)
Missouri Valley Open - 116
1st Place - Felicity Taylor of McKendree University
2nd Place - Peyton Prussin of Life University
3rd Place - Katlyn Pizzo of Campbellsville University
4th Place - Kasey Baynon of Lion Wrestling Club EC UnAttached
5th Place - Theresa Rankin of McKendree University
6th Place - Sugey Ceja of Tiffin University
7th Place - Jamayia Blackston of University of Jamestown
8th Place - Carolina Johnson of Southern Oregon University
1st Place Match: Felicity Taylor (McKendree University) won by tech fall over Peyton Prussin (Life University) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match: Katlyn Pizzo (Campbellsville University) won by fall over Kasey Baynon (Lion Wrestling Club EC UnAttached) (Fall 0:51)
5th Place Match: Theresa Rankin (McKendree University) won by decision over Sugey Ceja (Tiffin University) (Dec 5-4)
7th Place Match: Jamayia Blackston (University of Jamestown) won by tech fall over Carolina Johnson (Southern Oregon University) (TF 11-0)
Missouri Valley Open - 123
1st Place - Cheyenne Sisenstein of King University
2nd Place - Tiana Jackson of Menlo College
3rd Place - Alexia Ward of McKendree University
4th Place - Vayle Baker of Augsburg University
5th Place - Marissa Gallegos of Colorado Mesa University
6th Place - Kyleigh Lopez of Southern Oregon University
7th Place - Phoenix Dubose of King University
8th Place - Tara Othman of Southern Oregon University
1st Place Match: Cheyenne Sisenstein (King University) won by decision over Tiana Jackson (Menlo College) (Dec 14-6)
3rd Place Match: Alexia Ward (McKendree University) won by decision over Vayle Baker (Augsburg University) (Dec 3-2)
5th Place Match: Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa University) won by injury default over Kyleigh Lopez (Southern Oregon University) (Inj. 0:00)
7th Place Match: Phoenix Dubose (King University) won by fall over Tara Othman (Southern Oregon University) (Fall 0:39)
Missouri Valley Open - 130
1st Place - Allison Petix of King University
2nd Place - Cindy Zepeda of Colorado Mesa University
3rd Place - Amanda Martinez of North Central College
4th Place - Niya Teresita Gaines of Emmanuel College
5th Place - Gabby Skidmore of Augsburg University
6th Place - Anesia Ramirez of Southern Oregon University
7th Place - Andrea Schlabach of University of the Cumberlands
8th Place - Alex Enriquez of Life University
1st Place Match: Allison Petix (King University) won by fall over Cindy Zepeda (Colorado Mesa University) (Fall 2:48)
3rd Place Match: Amanda Martinez (North Central College) won by decision over Niya Teresita Gaines (Emmanuel College) (Dec 7-0)
5th Place Match: Gabby Skidmore (Augsburg University) won by tech fall over Anesia Ramirez (Southern Oregon University) (TF 10-0)
7th Place Match: Andrea Schlabach (University of the Cumberlands) won by decision over Alex Enriquez (Life University) (Dec 6-5)
Missouri Valley Open - 136
1st Place - Emma Bruntil of McKendree University
2nd Place - Nicole Joseph of King University
3rd Place - Bridgette Duty of University of the Cumberlands
4th Place - Erica Sotelo of Life University
5th Place - Zoe Nowicki of Adrian College
6th Place - Tanalei Louis of Midland University
7th Place - Salome Walker of McK Unattached
8th Place - Logan Mize of Lyon College
1st Place Match: Emma Bruntil (McKendree University) won by tech fall over Nicole Joseph (King University) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match: Bridgette Duty (University of the Cumberlands) won by tech fall over Erica Sotelo (Life University) (TF 12-1)
5th Place Match: Zoe Nowicki (Adrian College) won by decision over Tanalei Louis (Midland University) (Dec 10-2)
7th Place Match: Salome Walker (McK Unattached) won by fall over Logan Mize (Lyon College) (Fall 2:20)
Missouri Valley Open - 143
1st Place - Solin Piearcy of Menlo College
2nd Place - Sienna Ramirez of Southern Oregon University
3rd Place - Alara Boyd of McKendree University
4th Place - Jacqueline Parks of University of Jamestown
5th Place - Destiny Lyng of Oklahoma City University
6th Place - Ana Luciano of King University
7th Place - Kaylee Moore of Augsburg University
8th Place - Cierra Foster of Oklahoma City University
1st Place Match: Solin Piearcy (Menlo College) won by decision over Sienna Ramirez (Southern Oregon University) (Dec 3-0)
3rd Place Match: Alara Boyd (McKendree University) won by fall over Jacqueline Parks (University of Jamestown) (Fall 5:56)
5th Place Match: Destiny Lyng (Oklahoma City University) won by decision over Ana Luciano (King University) (Dec 6-0)
7th Place Match: Kaylee Moore (Augsburg University) won by decision over Cierra Foster (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 8-7)
Missouri Valley Open - 155
1st Place - Kayla Marano of Lion Wrestling Club EC UnAttached
2nd Place - Gladdys Palma of Southern Oregon University
3rd Place - Joye Levendusky of McKendree University
4th Place - Kaylynn Albrecht of Wayland Baptist University
5th Place - Tatum Sparks of University of Providence
6th Place - Anna Naylor of Eastern Oregon Unattached
7th Place - Myranda Velazquez of University of Jamestown
8th Place - Olivia Pizano of Southern Oregon University
1st Place Match: Kayla Marano (Lion Wrestling Club EC UnAttached) won by tech fall over Gladdys Palma (Southern Oregon University) (TF 12-2)
3rd Place Match: Joye Levendusky (McKendree University) won by decision over Kaylynn Albrecht (Wayland Baptist University) (Dec 8-4)
5th Place Match: Tatum Sparks (University of Providence) won by tech fall over Anna Naylor (Eastern Oregon Unattached) (TF 10-0)
7th Place Match: Myranda Velazquez (University of Jamestown) won by tech fall over Olivia Pizano (Southern Oregon University) (TF 12-2)
Missouri Valley Open - 170
1st Place - Rachel Watters of Oklahoma City University
2nd Place - Brittany Marshall of NCC Unattached
3rd Place - Yelena Makoyed of North Central College
4th Place - Hannah Gladden of Lion Wrestling Club EC UnAttached
5th Place - Jordan Nelson of Life University
6th Place - Korinahe Bullock of McKendree University
7th Place - Andrea Sennett of McKendree University
8th Place - Faith Tuttle of Augsburg Unattached
1st Place Match: Rachel Watters (Oklahoma City University) won by decision over Brittany Marshall (NCC Unattached) (Dec 8-2)
3rd Place Match: Yelena Makoyed (North Central College) won by tech fall over Hannah Gladden (Lion Wrestling Club EC UnAttached) (TF 12-1)
5th Place Match: Jordan Nelson (Life University) won by decision over Korinahe Bullock (McKendree University) (Dec 4-1)
7th Place Match: Andrea Sennett (McKendree University) won by tech fall over Faith Tuttle (Augsburg Unattached) (TF 10-0)
Missouri Valley Open - 191
1st Place - Paige Baynes of WBU Unattached
2nd Place - Sydnee Kimber of McKendree University
3rd Place - Nkechinyere Nwankwo of Oklahoma City University
4th Place - Gabby Hamilton of Life University
5th Place - Agatha Andrews of University of Jamestown
6th Place - Kendall McGarity of Gannon University
7th Place - Leilani Camargo Naone of Midland University
8th Place - Madlyne Navarro of Central Methodist University
1st Place Match: Paige Baynes (WBU Unattached) won by decision over Sydnee Kimber (McKendree University) (Dec 9-6)
3rd Place Match: Nkechinyere Nwankwo (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Gabby Hamilton (Life University) (TF 10-0)
5th Place Match: Agatha Andrews (University of Jamestown) won by injury default over Kendall McGarity (Gannon University) (Inj. 0:00)
7th Place Match: Leilani Camargo Naone (Midland University) won by injury default over Madlyne Navarro (Central Methodist University) (Inj. 0:00)
Top 25 in Missouri Valley Open Team Standings:
1. McKendree University, IL (194.0)
2. King University, TN (165.5)
3. Southern Oregon University (125.0)
4. Life University, GA (118.0)
5. University of Jamestown, ND (109.0)
6. Colorado Mesa University, CO (104.0)
7. Oklahoma City University, OK (101.0)
8. University of Providence, MT (101.0)
9. Menlo College, CA (96.5)
10. Wayland Baptist University, TX (79.0)
11. Emmanuel College, GA (69.0)
12. University of the Cumberlands, KY (67.5)
13. North Central College, IL (63.0)
14. Lyon College, AR (62.0)
15. Campbellsville University, KY (60.0)
16. Midland University, NE (56.0)
17. Gannon University, PA (54.5)
18. Grand View University, IA (51.5)
19. Augsburg University, MN (50.0)
20. Adrian College, MI (45.0)
21. Tiffin University, OH (43.0)
22. MacMurray College, IL (37.5)
23. UW-Stevens Point, WI (28.5)
24. Eastern Oregon University, OR (28.0)
25. Central Methodist University, MO (22.0)