SPOKANE, Wash. – The Eastern Oregon University Women’s Wrestling team had an impressive showing at the Spokane Open, with an impressive seven wrestlers reaching the podium in their respective weight classes.
No. 15 ranked Gloria Diaz had a strong tournament, ultimately finishing in second place in the 117 lbs bracket. She started off with three dominant wins by fall: a 1:05 pin, a 1:15, and a 0:59 fall. In the final, she faced No.10 Joely Slyter from Providence and fought hard, but was defeated by a technical fall, 10-3. Despite the loss, Diaz’s performance throughout the day showed her ability to compete at a high level and solidified her as one of the top contenders in her weight class.
No. 14 ranked Nia Avelino had also had a strong performance, taking 3rd place in the 110 lbs weight class. After a bye in the first round, she dominated with a 2:19 fall. Avelino then faced No. 5 Megan Morales from Providence and suffered a tough 10-0 technical fall. However, she came back strong, winning by an 11-0 technical fall and securing a win by fall in 1:52. Avelino’s resilience and ability to recover from setbacks earned her a well-deserved 3rd place finish.
Veil Foreman had a strong showing in the 145 lbs bracket, finishing in 4th place. After receiving a bye in the first round, Foreman faced #5 Elise Twalt from Providence and lost by a 12-2 technical fall. She then went on a roll, winning five consecutive matches by fall, including victories in 0:29, 0:37, 1:28, 1:49, and a 0:38 pin over fellow EOU teammate Paige Allen. Despite another loss to Twalt in the final, Foreman’s performance throughout the day showcased her skill and tenacity.
Kiona Michel showed her strength in the 207 lbs bracket, finishing 4th overall. After receiving a bye in the first round, she scored a victory by fall in 3:59 over Providence’s Kitalla Wise. In the semifinals, Michel faced a tough opponent in Sydnee Nielson and lost by fall. She rebounded with a win by fall in 4:23 over teammate Mallory Lusco, but fell to McKenzie Mills from Providence in the third-place match by fall. Despite the setbacks, Michel’s persistence throughout the day earned her a spot on the podium.
Telsarina Walter competed hard in the 110 lbs bracket, finishing 5th. She started with a quick 10-0 technical fall victory in just 20 seconds over UCC’s Analise Miller and followed that up with a 10-2 decision win over Providence’s Nyla O’Brien. However, Walter faced challenges in her next matches, losing by two technical falls. She ended the day with another 10-0 technical fall win over O’Brien in a rematch, securing 5th place in the bracket.
Isabella Coronado placed 5th in the 117 lbs bracket after a day full of ups and downs. She earned a solid 6-2 decision win, but then suffered a tough loss by a 10-0 technical fall against No.10 Joely Slyter. Coronado bounced back with a pair of strong technical fall victories: 12-1 and 12-0. She suffered another 10-0 technical fall loss, but finished the tournament on a high note, winning by fall in 1:16 against Providence’s Kayla Vail. Coronado’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the tournament.
Mallory Lusco rounded out the placewinners, competing in the 207 lbs bracket, finishing in 5th place. After two byes, Lusco lost by fall in 1:21 to Providence’s Jasmine Adiniwin. She quickly bounced back with a win by fall in 0:28 but then lost to teammate Kiona Michel by fall in 4:23. Lusco closed out her tournament with a strong 2:03 fall victory over Providence’s Kitalla Wise, securing her 5th place finish.
The Mounties look to build on the momentum when they return to action on December 5th as they head to Crete, Nebraska for the Conner/ Oppenheim Doane Open.