TexasWrestling
In the first of three home events this season, Wayland Baptist’s fourth-ranked women’s wresting team defeated NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa on Saturday morning at the Laney Center, 26-18.
“We were excited to be able to showcase our talents at home, and the girls really went out and showed that with their execution,” WBU coach Aaron Meister said.
Given the fact that Colorado Mesa picked up 10 of its points on forfeit wins, Wayland pretty well dominated the dual, winning all but two of the seven contested matches, not counting the 13 exhibitions.
Junior Nina Pham put on not one, not two, but three of the day’s most impressive performances. Not only did the defending national runner-up win her official 101-pound match by fall, she won both of her exhibitions as well, one by fall and the other by tech fall.
“Nina was very dominant. She’s on a mission this year,” Meister said.
Kaylynn Albrecht at 155 and Kayla Fitts at 116 also won their matches by fall.
“Kayla wrestled very well. She wrestled smart and is continuing to get better,” Meister said. “Kaylynn is a freshman who’s a rising star. She took care of business in less than a minute and got a fall.”
The coach said the match of the entire dual was Wayland’s Amanda Alvarado taking on Sierra Brown Ton at 130.
“They are both all-Americans, but Amanda went out and dominated. We knew that would be an important match, and we kind of caught fire after that.”
At 136, Desiree Zavala scored a tech fall.
“Desiree did was Desiree does. She went out and got a tech fall,” Meister said.
Next for the Pioneers, before they host the Wayland Invitational Dec. 7, is the Missouri Valley Open next Sunday, Nov. 17 in Marshall, Mo.
“That’s a big tournament for us,” said Meister, noting that for as well as his team performed today, there’s more work to be done.
“We did a lot of things well, but we have a lot of room for improvement. I’m anxious to get back in there and keep working to become a better team.”
No. 4 Wayland Baptist 29, Colorado Mesa 18
101: Nina Pham (WBU) over Jennesis Martinez (CMU), fall
109: Elexis Kalar (CMU), forfeit win
116: Kayla Fitts (WBU) over Aleena Gomez (CMU), fall
123: Marissa Gallegos (CMU) over Gabriela Ramos-Diaz, WBU), dec. 6-1
130: Amanda Alvarado (WBU) over Sierra Brown Ton (CMU), TF, 16-5
136: Desiree Zavala (WBU) over Dalia Garibay (CMU), TF, 10-0
143: Alma Mendoza (CMU), forfeit win
155: Kaylynn Albrecht (WBU) over Kira Gilliland (CMU), fall
170: Breanna Jennings (WBU), forfeit win
191: Mayte Villada (CMU) over Olivia Ricci (WBU), fall
Exhibitions
101: Nina Pham (WBU) over Elexis Kalar (CMU), fall
101: Nina Pham (WBU) over Kaylie Catalano (CMU), TF 10-0
116: Kayla Fitts (WBU) over Anja Tshohl (CMU), TF 10-0
116: Anja Tschohl (CMU) over Angelica Garcia (WBU), TF 10-0
116: Aleena Gomez (CMU) over Angelica Garcia (WBU), fall
123: Gabriela Ramos-Diaz (WBU) over Alexis Valdez-Figueroa (CMU), TF 10-0
123: Marissa Gallegos (CMU) over Rebekah Cordova (WBU), TF 10-0
123: Rebekah Cordova (WBU) over Alexis Valdez-Figueroa (CMU), fall
130: Cindy Zepedea (CMU) over Olivia Branson (WBU), fall
130: Sierra Brown Ton (CMU) over Olivia Branson (WBU), fall
143: Alma Mendoza (CMU) over Amber Laurian (WBU), fall
155: Vanessa Ceja (WBU) over Kira Gilliland (CMU), TF, 12-2
170: Breanna Jennings (WBU) over Mayte Villada (CMU), fall
