IOWA CITY, Iowa – The second-ranked University of Iowa women’s wrestling team defeated Missouri Valley College and top-ranked NAIA, Life University in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Hawkeyes outscored their opponents 77-47 in team points, recording five pins and ten technical falls.

Iowa started its day of competition with a, 42-0, win over Missouri Valley College. Emilie Gonzalez, Brianna Gonzalez and Alivia White all notched wins via pin over their opponents in the first period. Ava Bayless, Emily Frost and Lilly Luft recorded, 11-0, tech. falls, while Felicity Taylor, Ella Schmit, and Bella Mir downed their opponents with 10-0 tech. falls.

The Hawkeyes kept the momentum going into final dual of the afternoon, capturing a, 35-6, win against NAIA National Duals Champions, Life University. Sterling Dias started things at 101 with a win over Devyn Gomez via a 10-0 tech. fall. Bayless downed Diana Gonzalez at 109, also earning a quick 10-0 tech. fall. B. Gonzalez worked a pin in 2:07 over Ariana Martinez at 116, followed by Taylor taking the 10-0 tech. fall against Anna Krejsa at 123.

Life got on the board at 130 with Sarah Savidge earning a 11-0 tech. fall over Frost. Luft brought it back with a pin against Zaynah McBryde in 1:42. Reese Larramendy fought all six minutes against Jamilah McBryde, avenging her loss from Soldier Salute, with a 12-4 decision at 143. Marlynne Deede captured the win via decision, 3-1, in her second bout against Latifah McBryde this season at 155. Kylie Welker made quick work at 170 with a 10-0 tech. fall over Margaret Graham in 23 seconds. Jaycee Foeller closed out the day, taking the 2-0 decision over Madeline Welch at 191.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH CLARISSA CHUN 

“Since November I feel like there has been a lot of positive feedback on our sport; how exciting it is, or how much action there is. Hosting these duals in Carver has allowed us to expand the circle of women’s wrestling and show the world what these women can do. Our women are strong, powerful, fast, all of the things. We want our fans to continue to show up and we want it to expand beyond Iowa. We are so grateful for the fans that show up and bring that energy to our program because our team feeds off of the energy that they bring.”