The Tarleton State University women’s wrestling team didn’t just win the NCWA Southwest Conference Championship in College Station this past weekend—they put on a historic and dominant performance that left no doubt about who the best team in the region is. Under the leadership of Head Coach Grant Leeth and newly appointed Women’s Coach James Moorman, the team stormed through the competition, capturing the team title in overwhelming fashion and securing a staggering number of individual championships along the way.
From the very first match, it was clear that Tarleton came prepared to not just win, but dominate. Competing against twelve teams, including programs like Texas A&M, Texas State, Louisiana State University, and Lyon College, the Tarleton women outwrestled, outscored, and outperformed every other school, winning seven individual conference titles and placing high in nearly every weight class. It was a total team effort, with every athlete contributing to the unstoppable wave of success that carried Tarleton to the top of the standings.
One of the most impressive performances of the tournament came at 110 pounds, where Tarleton’s Rachel Corley and Emma Graves dominated their bracket, setting up an all-Tarleton final. In a hard-fought battle, Corley earned the title with a 6-1 decision over her teammate, ensuring a gold and silver finish for Tarleton in that division. At 117 pounds, Kylie Woods proved she was on a different level, pinning her first opponent in an astonishing 35 seconds before securing another fall in the finals to take home the championship. Her quick and decisive victories set the tone for the rest of the team.
The 124-pound bracket belonged entirely to Daniela Martinez, who didn’t just win—she dominated. She pinned her first opponent in just 46 seconds, then followed it up with another fall in the finals, cementing her place as the best in her division. Meanwhile, Neelie Parker battled through the highly competitive 131-pound division, securing a major decision victory before finishing as the runner-up in the finals against University of Texas’ Mia Garza. Even without gold, Parker’s strong performance earned valuable points for the team and showcased the depth of Tarleton’s roster.
The Tarleton wave of success didn’t slow down, as Kaylynn Lairson continued the streak at 138 pounds by dominating Fontbonne University’s Jasmine Gordon, pinning her in just over a minute to claim another individual title. In the 145-pound division, Zariah Rodriguez was simply unstoppable, winning back-to-back matches by fall over Wayne State’s Ariel Bryant to claim the championship with ease. Her aggression, skill, and determination left no question as to who the top competitor in her weight class was.
