CCIW women's wrestling season sees strong starts across programs
The 2025-26 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s wrestling season began with a range of notable performances, program milestones, and the debut of new teams. The first weeks have included both dual meets and tournament competitions, allowing conference programs to gauge their progress.
Augustana College started its campaign with a 2-2 dual record and competitive results in tournaments such as the Pointer Open, Luther Open, and the 8-Man/Woman Battles. Moni Griffin led Augustana by earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the 8-Man/Woman Battles and winning her weight class at the Luther Open. Mia Vazquez also contributed by securing titles and important points during dual meets.
Aurora University posted a 5-2 dual record through early December. Genesis Ramirez remained undefeated at 103 pounds during recent tri-match competition, while Tasha Markoutsis and Emma Engels each recorded two wins at their respective weights. Tournament participation saw several Spartans earn top bracket placements, including Natasha Markoutsis, Sophia Ball, Anneliese Tavira, Sharon Moreno, and Hannah McDuffee.
Carthage College’s schedule featured early tests but also marked growth under first-year head coach Tarkyia Mensah. The Firebirds secured three victories at the Adrian Duals and had multiple podium finishes at the Carthage Classic. Ella Harpold finished third at 160 pounds; freshman Jasmin Ocampo reached the finals at 207 pounds; Abigail Jutrzonka placed fourth at 145 pounds.
Elmhurst University focused on development with a young roster that went 3-5 in dual meets. Notable results included a win over Heidelberg and strong tournament showings: Elmhurst took third place out of sixteen teams at the Carthage Classic with eleven wrestlers placing. Valentina Fantoni led with a second-place finish; other top-three finishes came from Claire Crouch, Veronica Cosio, Viola Pianetto, and Juliana Lefort.
Illinois Wesleyan University celebrated program milestones by earning its first dual meet victory during this opening stretch. The Titans achieved wins against Lakeland and MSOE in dual action while facing nationally ranked opponents elsewhere on their schedule. Freshman Angel Hill won her weight class at the Pointer Open and earned IWU’s first home pin. Other freshmen including Beyonce Espinosa, Kennedy Murray, AJ Grant, and Jillian Giller made consistent contributions across events.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) launched its inaugural women’s wrestling season on December 2 as its twenty-sixth varsity sport. The Raiders debuted in a triangular meet against Illinois Wesleyan and Augustana before competing in their first tournament at the Carthage Classic where Jackie Zuniga Rangel placed sixth in her weight class.
North Central College continued to be among national leaders early in the year with a No. 4 ranking in the NWCA poll and a 6-2 overall dual record. North Central collected multiple nonconference wins over nationally ranked teams during Adrian Duals competition. Junior Bella Mir represented NCC at the NWCA All-Star Classic on November 1 with a criteria decision win against an NAIA national champion opponent.
In tournament play, North Central won six individual titles at the Pointer Open before capturing team championships at both Adrian College Invite (scoring over four hundred points) and Carthage Classic (with all sixteen competitors finishing top five). Seven Cardinals were individual champions at Carthage: Eliana Paramo, Bella Bolek, Riley Rayome, Jax Realin, Lynn Horn, Elizabeth Rosenstiel, Jael Miller. Sara Sterner recorded three ranked wins during Adrian Invite; Shenita Lawson upset a No. 2-ranked wrestler during Grand Valley State dual competition.