COSTA MESA, CA – Half of the Women's Wrestling team traveled to Costa Mesa, California to face off the Vanguard Lions in their first dual matchup of the 2023-24 season. The Oaks will return to Atherton with a win under their belt after taking the Lions down, 33-12. The Oaks showed a great performance and proved that they will leave it all on the mat for that #1 spot in the NAIA!
Oaks Lineup Looks Unstoppable
Menlo showed true dominance today against Vanguard. The Oaks wrestled 9 nationally ranked athletes against the 4 ranked Lions.Across the 12 weight classes, 8 of the matches were won by an Oak. 6 of the starting lineup earned All-American status after their successes at the NAIA Championship tournament last season and are looking better than ever! Head Coach Michael Ayala and the Oaks start off the season 1-0 against a quality NAIA and Cascade Collegiate Conference opponent.
All-Americans Run the Show
Despite outnumbering the Lions in ranks, the Oaks pulled off the important victories - like at the 101 weight class where #4 Tianna Fernandez was up against #17 Abbeygael Cabuag. The two kept it a low scoring match and fought through all 3 rounds to end in a 4-3 win by decision in favor of the Oak. It was a steady lead throughout the dual but Vanguard was able to make it 21-6 before the 143 weight class. There, #7 Desiree Jones was facing off #7 Piper Hall. Jones gained a 12-4 win by decision over Hall to bring the team score up to 24-7. All wrestlers were highly skilled, but Menlo's experience at the highest stage is what pushed them to finish the day by a score of 33-12.
Up Next….
The other half of the Women's team is in Great Falls, Montana to compete against the University of Providence (Mont.) Argonauts also today, Saturday December 2nd at 7pm. After this weekend, the next mat appearance for the Oaks will be on Saturday, December 16 at the West Coast Tournament of Champions Open happening in Roseville, CA!
Menlo 33, Vanguard 12
101 – #4 Tianna Fernandez (Menlo) wins 4-3 by decision over #17 Abbeygael Cabuag (VU) (3-1)
109 – Micaela Correa (Menlo) wins by default (VU Open) (8-1)
116 – Alejandra Corral (Menlo) wins 4-2 by decision over Angie Dill (VU) (11-2)
123 – #7 Alana Vivas (Menlo) wins by fall over Loretta Lopez (VU) (16-2)
130 – #9 Louisa Schwab (Menlo) wins 12-2 by tech fall over Lily Avalos (VU) (20-3)
136 – #3 River Todd (VU) wins 6-4 by decision over #6 Stephanie Chavez (Menlo) (21-6)
143 – #7 Desiree Jones (Menlo) wins 12-4 by decision over #7 Piper Hall (VU) (24-7)
155 – #4 Shannon Workinger (Menlo) wins 10-0 by tech fall over Mariz Soliman (VU) (28-7)
170 – Abena Adu (VU) wins by fall over #4 Kalila Shrive (Menlo) (28-12)
191 – #1 Tavia Heidelberg-Tillotson (Menlo) wins by default (VU Open) (33-12)