Five Wrestlers Qualify For Nationals; Saints Place Fourth At Regionals https://t.co/deKuPRumqS
— D'Youville University Athletics (@dyouvillesaints) February 24, 2025
ELMIRA, N.Y. – On the road to Iowa, the D'Youville University women's wrestling team competed at the NCWWC Region 1 Championships Sunday afternoon hosted by Elmira College.
The Saints placed fourth out of 11 teams that competed while sending five wrestlers to nationals which include Alessandra Elliott (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) who placed third at 138-pounds, Saniyah Ward (The Colony, Texas/The Colony) who placed third at 145-pounds, Mackenzie Laforest (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly) who placed third at 207-pounds, Madison Wellen (East Berlin, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) who placed fourth at 138-pounds, and Zoe Kip (Liberty, N.Y./Liberty) who placed fourth at 160-pounds.
Elliott received a bye in the first round and won her quarterfinal match against Gillian Mills of Utica by a 12-1 tech. fall. In the semifinals, Elliott was downed by Gabby Bradigan of Elmira. In the consolation bracket, Elliott earned the fall over Valerie Iglesias of Felician and got the tech. fall over Kendall Branchaud of Western New England to place third.
Ward also received a bye and cruised to the semifinals with a fall over Talia Robles of Elmira. In the semifinals, Ward was bested by Zoey Lints of Elmira. In the consolation bracket, Ward earned a medical victory over Nolle Alexander of Western New England. In the third-place match, Ward earned the fall over Tayla Tildsley of Sacred Heart.
Laforest was the final Saint to place third on the day, also getting the bye in the first round. Laforest earned the 10-0 tech. fall over Samantha Rabkin of Western New England. In the semifinals, Laforest was downed by Madeline Hodges of Sacred Heart via tech. fall. In the consolation bracket, Laforest earned the fall over Hannah Grawn of Alfred State. In the third-place match, Laforest got the fall over Talisha Lewis of Felician to punch her ticket.
Wellen had a match off the bat, getting the 10-0 tech. fall over Rosaliz Aponte of Buffalo State. In the quarterfinals, Wellen earned the fall over Abigail Alicandra of Western New England. In the semifinals, Wellen was bested by Jaclyn Dehney of New England. In the consolation bracket, Wellen grinded out a 13-12 decision win over Brooke Tarshis of Buffalo State. In the third-place match, Wellen was bested by Elleahna Anderson of Sacred Heart. Wellen looking to keep her season going, earned the no contest win over Alicandro to earn her spot at nationals.
Kip was the final placers for the Saints, starting her day with a bye. In the quarterfinals, Kip earned the fall over Allison Strausbaugh of Alfred State. In the semifinals, Kip was downed by Love Daley of Sacred Heart. In the consolation bracket, Kip earned the 15-4 tech. fall over Isabelle Thesing of Maine Maritime. In the third-place match, Kip was bested by Atiyana Williams of Western New England. Looking to keep her season alive, Kip earned the no contest win over Thesing to punch her ticket.
Also earning wins on the day were Ollie Ridling (San Antonio, Texas/Winston Churchill) and Annika Lopez (San Antonio, Texas/San Antonio Johnson).
The Saints will now turn their attention to the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships held March 7th-8th in Coralville, Iowa.