A series of competitions in late December and early January has seen the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s wrestling programs achieve significant results, including a team championship at the Midlands Championships, several podium finishes, and notable dual meet victories.
North Central secured the Midlands team title on December 30 with a total of 173.5 points. The Cardinals produced five individual champions. Kaelani Shufeldt, ranked fourth nationally at 110 pounds, registered two pins and two technical falls. Graduate student Sara Sterner continued her strong season by winning at 124 pounds and extending her record as the program’s all-time leader in pins. Other North Central champions included Shenita Lawson (180), who won four matches by technical fall; Claire DiCugno (138), making her debut for the Cardinals; and freshman Tirza TwoTeeth (207), who finished unbeaten in her bracket.
Aurora University finished fourth in the Midlands Championships. Alexis Janiak (131) and Genesis Ramirez (103) both reached second place, with Ramirez advancing to the finals after defeating North Central’s Madison Avila in a close semifinal match. Sophia Ball placed fourth at 138 pounds, while Emma Engels worked through consolation rounds to take fifth at 124.
Augustana College hosted and won all its matches at the Fred Johnson Duals last Saturday, bringing its season record to 4-3. The Vikings overcame Carthage with a comeback victory, closing out the dual by winning five consecutive bouts. Moni Griffin (131), Bri Bynum (138), Aine Moffit (145), and Maryam Ndiaye (160) contributed technical falls before Angie Guy sealed the win with a pin at 207 pounds. Augustana later defeated Upper Iowa decisively.
Carthage split its matches during the Fred Johnson Duals, beating Upper Iowa but losing to Augustana. Alaina Hollendoner was named CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week on January 6 following her win against Augustana’s team. Crystal Gutierrez had both a fall and a technical fall during the event, while Alexis Hozeska recorded a pin against Upper Iowa.
Looking ahead, four CCIW teams—North Central, Aurora, Augustana, and Illinois Wesleyan—will participate in the NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships on January 9-10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Illinois Wesleyan is set to face Eastern; Augustana will compete against Elmira; Aurora is matched up with Bethany; and third-ranked North Central will go against Emmanuel.
