NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championship - Finals

Jamestown, N.D. – Menlo College claims the program's first Battle For The Red Banner as they win the 2024 NAIA Women’s Wrestling Championship by 34 points. The Second Annual event concluded Saturday Night inside Harold Newman Arena and was hosted by the University of Jamestown (N.D.) on March 8^th and 9^th.

Menlo captured the first red banner in program history Saturday night during the second year of championship status of women’s wrestling. Along the way, they also had 10 wrestlers earn All-American status, along with head coach Michael Ayala earning National Coach of the Year honors.

Saturday’s schedule included Session III which saw the Fourth Round (Championship Semifinals, Fifth Round (Consolation Quarterfinals), Sixth Round (Consolation Semifinals), and Consolation Placement bouts (Third, Fifth, and Seventh Place). After the midday break for the facility to be switched over and the Parade of All-Americans, Session IV saw the Championship Finals completed.

Click HERE to see the full schedule and results page. Click HERE for the final team scores of the 2024 championship.

Three CCC Wrestlers earned National Championships. One received runner-up status, and 26 total were named All-American’s.

CCC Team Scores:
Menlo College leads all teams with 172 total team points. Southern Oregon University followed with 134 points to land in 3rd.
7th- University of Providence (90.5), 14th- Vanguard University (34.5), 20th- The Evergreen State College (20.5), 24th- Eastern Oregon University (17)

Session III Highlights:

• Fourth Round (Championship Semifinals), Fifth Round (Consolation Quarterfinals), Sixth Round (Consolation Semifinals), and Consolation Placements (Third, Fifth, and Seventh Place) Notes:
• 101 – Top-seeded Erin Hekiji of Providence (Mont.) is headed into the championship bout Saturday evening after a commanding 10-0 tech fall. Second-seeded Stefana Jelacic of Lourdes (Ohio) moves into the championship bout tonight after she secured a tech fall victory in Session III. Kayla Mckinley-Johnson of Menlo (Calif.) secured a third-place finish after a victory by fall over Esther Walker of Midland (Neb.). Liana Ferreira of Southern Oregon also won her placement match via fall over Audalie Cruz of Wayland Baptist (Texas) for fifth-place.
• 109 – Top-seeded Mia Palumbo of William Penn (Iowa) will compete for a national title in the 109 bracket after pulling out the 10-6 decision victory over fourth-seeded Paige Morales of Providence (Mont.). Jasmine Howard of Texas Wesleyan is into the title match Saturday evening as well after an 8-0 decision win. Emma Beartlein of Southern Oregon collected a third-place finish thanks to a massive victory by fall in the second period over Paige Morales of Providence (Mont.).
• 116 – Katherine Heath of Baker (Kan.) won via fall over Ajayzee Zaballos of Menlo (Calif.) for third place. Marissa Kurtz of Southern Oregon pinned her way into a seventh place finish against Ariana Martinez of Life (Ga.)
• 123 –Alana Vivas of Menlo (Calif.) claimed her third place finish via decision over Joanna Vanderwood of William Penn (Iowa). Haley Narahara of Menlo (Calif.) was victorious via decision for seventh place over Catharine Campbell of Grand View (Iowa).
• 130 – Carolina Moreno of Southern Oregon will head to the championship bout after securing the 10-0 tech fall victory. Devin Patton of William Penn (Iowa) defeated Lilliam Avalos of Vanguard (Calif.) for third place. Janiah Jones of Missouri Baptist secured the tough 3-0 decision claiming fifth place over Alysaa Randles of Providence (Mont.). Louisa Schwab of Menlo (Calif.) wrestled her way into seventh place over Elizabeth Duvall via fall.
• 136 – Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp of Providence (Mont.) secured the third-place victory via fall over Tiyahna Askew of Missouri Baptist. Stephanie Chavez of Menlo (Calif.) posted a victory via fall for seventh place over River Todd of Vanguard (Calif.)
• 143 – Bella Amaro of Southern Oregon picked up the 7-1 decision over Madison Diaz of Grand View (Iowa) for third place. Mea Mohler of Texas Wesleyan defeated Alexandra Lopez of Menlo (Calif.) by tech fall.
• 155 – Latifah McBryde of Life (Ga.) earned a tech fall victory solidifying her place in the championship bout Saturday night, while top-seeded Caitlyn Davis of Southern Oregon moved into the title match with a tech fall win of her own. Shanon Workinger of Menlo (Calif.) pined Josette Partney of Missouri Baptist to claim third place. Liv Wieber of Eastern Oregon collected fifth place over Flor Parker-Borreo of Evergreen (Wash.) via injury default. Sadie Antoque of Providence (Mont.) was victorious over Kendra Thompson of Campbellsville (Ky.) 6-0.
• 170 – Abby Mclntyre of Grand View (Iowa) posted a tech fall victory in her semifinal match against Kalila Shrive of Menlo (Calif.). Kalila Shrive of Menlo (Calif.) battled to the 4-2 decision victory over Shenita Lawson of Southern Oregon for third place.
• Menlo (Calif.) extended their lead during Session III, not leading by 35.5 points. Life (Ga.) sits in second with 132.5 points followed by Southern Oregon with 124.5, Grand View (Iowa) with 106, and Texas Wesleyan rounds out the Top 5

Session IV Highlights:

• Championship Finals Notes:
• 101 – Top-seeded Erin Hikiji of Providence (Mont.) and second-seeded Stefana Jelacic of Lourdes (Ohio) battled in the first championship bout of Saturday evening. Jelacic led after the first period 10-2 over the No. 1 seeded wrestler in the bracket of Hikiji.
• 130 – Carolina Moreno of Southern Oregon secured her national championship in the 130 bracket after an 11-0 tech fall over Sarah Savidge of Life (Ga.).
• 155 – Caitlyn Davis of Southern Oregon defeated Latifah McBryde of Life (Ga.) by a 4-2 decision in the final minute of the match.
• 191 – Tavia Heldelberg-Tillitson of Menlo (Calif.) defeated Joanna Hendricks of Waldorf (Iowa) by a 4-3 decision in what was a close bout from start to finish.
• Grand View (Iowa) concluded the tournament in fifth place with 106 points, William Penn (Iowa) was fourth with 111.5 points, Southern Oregon placed third with 134 points, Life (Ga.) was second with 138 points; and the 2024 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Champions; is Menlo (Calif.) with 172 points.

National Championship Awards:

• Michael Ayala of Menlo (Calif.) wins Coach of the Year.
• Providence (Mont.) wins Team Sportsmanship recognition. 
• Click HERE for the full list of 2024 NAIA Women's Wrestling All-Americans.

All matches at the national championships for Sessions I through IV were streamed live via FloWrestling. Access to the live results and brackets can be found through Arena.FloWrestling.

For additional information on the 2024 NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championships, click HERE.