CORVALLIS, Ore. – The No. 3-ranked University of Providence Women’s Wrestling team was named the Under Armour Team of the Week for February 23 – March 1, the Cascade Collegiate Conference announced Sunday.
Providence earned the Team of the Week honors after capturing its first CCC team championship in program history with a record-setting performance at the conference tournament.
The Argos totaled 196 team points to win the title by 49 points and crowned seven individual champions, while placing all 12 competitors on the podium. Eleven wrestlers advanced to championship matches, and 11 athletes secured qualification for the NAIA National Championships.
Leading the way were individual champions Erin Hikiji (103), Paige Morales (110), Alyssa Randles (124), Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp (131), Esther Han (138), Elise Twait (145), and Joely Slyter (117). Hikiji secured her third straight CCC title and fourth trip to nationals, while Morales and Randles each claimed their third and second consecutive conference crowns, respectively. Estrella-Beauchamp captured her fourth straight CCC championship, and Twait, Han, and Slyter each earned their first conference titles.
Providence also received national-qualifying performances from Kassidy Sigda (180), Aspen Dodge (160), Kayla Shota (110), and Hailey Sutton (third place at 160). Sigda secured her nationals berth with a true second-place victory, while Sutton battled through the consolation bracket with a ranked upset to claim third and qualify.
The historic showing marked the first conference championship for the Argos’ women’s wrestling program. Erin Hikiji was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler for the second consecutive year, and head coach Matt Atwood earned CCC Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season.
Providence now turns its attention to the NAIA National Championships, set for March 13-14 in Park City, Kansas.