SOURCE: dyusaints.com

February 24, 2024

Five Saints Qualify for Nationals https://t.co/DliLARBIcr

— D'Youville University Athletics (@dyouvillesaints) February 25, 2024

Wellen Leads the Way With A First-Place Finish

ERIE, Pa. - Competing in their first postseason action as a program, the D'Youville University women's wrestling team had a solid outing at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship Northeast Regional as five wrestlers will extend their season as they will be headed to nationals.

Pacing the Saints was Madison Wellen (East Berlin, Pa.) who was crown the champion at 136 pounds. Alessandra Elliott (Staten Island, N.Y.) had a strong day, placing second at 143 pounds. Elizabeth Stricklin (San Antonio, Texas) put together a solid day, placing third at 170 pounds. Saniyah Ward (The Colony, Texas) and Riley Wentlent (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) rounded out the DYU qualifiers, placing fourth at 143 pounds and 191 pounds.

Wellen received a bye in the quarterfinals and in her semifinals match, Wellen made quick work of Madison Small of Trine by getting the fall in 1:46. In the championship match, Wellen added another fall to her season, this time coming against Mallory Chunat of Hiram in 3:55.

After a bye in the first round, Elliott won her first match by fall over Allydia Byard of Hiram in 1:41. In her semifinals match, Elliott picked up another fall over Taylor Cutler of Adrian in 1:58. In the championship match, Elliott was bested by Lili Ujfalvi of Gannon by a 2-1 decision.

Stricklin started her day in the quarterfinals, getting the fall over Elisa Coz of Adrian in 1:23. In the semifinal match. Stricklin was bested by Sidney Ramos of Tiffin via fall in 2:16. In the consolation round, Stricklin extended her day by making quick work of Tia Leahy of Tiffin by getting the fall in 23 seconds. In the third-place match, Stricklin was bested by Talia Mitchell of John Carroll via fall in 1:53.

In the first round at 143 pounds, Ward received the bye into the quarterfinals. Ward got the win over Gwyneth Edwards of John Carroll by fall in 1:22. In the semifinals, Ward was downed by Ujfalvi in the final seconds of the second period via fall. Moving to the consolation round, Ward got the fall over Paige Lenhardt in 1:01. In the third-place match, Ward was defeated by Cutler via fall in 1:23. Ward's day was not over, as she was challenged by Martinez for a chance to head to nationals. Ward make wuick work of Martinez, getting the fall in 56 seconds.

Wentlent was the last Saints to qualify for national, doing so by winning her first match of the day. Wentlent earned the fall over Xsaria Puente of Adrian in 54 seconds. Wentlent would fall to Logan Ryan of Albion in the semifinals via fall in 23 seconds. In the consolation bracket, Wentlent would get the fall over Ashton Francis of Trine in three minutes. In the third-place match, Wentlent was bested by Cassidee Easey of Alma via fall in 1:03.

As a team, the Saints placed eighth out of 10 teams with 53.5 points.

The Saints will now turn their focus to the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships starting on March 8th in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.