JAMESTOWN, N.D. – (Brackets | Team Scores) The inaugural Women's Wrestling National Championship has been captured by Southern Oregon University. The historic event handed out the first ever Red Banner on the campus of the University of Jamestown, by a 20.5 point margin over second place Life (Ga.).

• Grand View (Iowa) slotted in third place with a total of 123.5, Menlo (Calif.) finished fourth – mirroring the men’s team finish for the Oaks - and Providence rounded out the Top Five
• Six of the 10 battles for the individual championships we fought between the first and second seeds
• In total, eight top seeds entering the tournament reached championship night
• The lowest seed to reach the finals was 10^th seeded Grace Kristoff of Southern Oregon
• Other finalists outside the Top Four were fifth seeded Jaycee Foeller of Central Methodist (Mo.) and seventh ranked Mea Mohler of Texas Wesleyan
• Central Methodist (Mo.) had their first two All-American’s in program history, both wrestling in championship bouts
• Gabrielle Holloway of St Andrews (N.C.) takes the honor of claiming the first Top Eight finish in Knight's team history

101 – No. 1 Ira Navarro of Providence (Mont.) def. No. 2 Erin Hikiji of Providence (Mont.), VPO1 2-1

Teammates began the final session as the top two wrestlers from the weight class are both from the University of Providence. Navarro was the sixth place finisher a year ago. but this year she walked away with a one point win over her teammate.  

109 – No. 1 Peyton Prussin of Life (Ga.) def. No. 2 Mia Palumbo of Iowa Wesleyan, VFA 1:51 4-2

In a year where Prussin was recognized as a signee for WWE NIL, the Running Eagle was going for her third National Championship in as many years, winning at 116 in 2021 and 109 a year ago. Coming back from a 2-0 deficit, Prussin recorded consecutive take downs for the win.

116 – No. 2 Caitlyn Thorne of Central Methodist (Mo.) def. No. 4 Camille Fournier of Texas Wesleyan, VSU 10-0 3:40

After the top seed in the bracket was knocked off by Fournier, she had her eyes on a second straight upset for the title. Fournier is a returning All-American placing fifth in 2022. But the night was all about Thorne as she recorded five takedowns to walk off with a 10 point shutout victory.

123 – No. 1 Carolina Moreno of Southern Oregon def. No. 3 Alana Vivas of Menlo (Calif.), VPO1 6-2

Moreno made it back to the Championship Round with hopes of taking home the crown for another year. Vivas upset Grand View’s Catharine Campbell, improving her All-American placing from last year. Top seeded Moreno jumped out to a 6-0 lead before winning by four.

130 – No. 1 Lexie Basham of Texas Wesleyan def. No.2 Sarah Savidge of Life (Ga.), VPO1 6-3

Basham is the third competitor in tonight’s championships with eyes on going back-to-back on the mat. Savidge had been dominant in her four previous matches in the tournament, outscoring her opponents 38-2. Two takedowns in the second period were the difference for Basham to extend her championship reign.

136 – No. 1 Adaugo Nwachukwu of Iowa Wesleyan def. No. 7 Mea Mohler of Texas Wesleyan

Another wrestler with her goal of two-straight NAIA Championships, Nwachukwu had one more to go. She faced off against Mohler, who was the second highest seed in the finals. Mohler started off scoring early in the first period, but 15 straight points by Nwachukwu gave her the runaway victory.  

143 – No. 2 Emily Se of Southern Oregon def. No. 1 Alexis Gomez of Grand View (Iowa), VPO1 3-2

The top two seeds made it out of the weight class unscathed and were impressive throughout. In a combined seven matches at the national tournament, the duo allowed only one point while recording 59 points. During the second period, Se scored three straight points which proved to be the difference in the match.

155 – No. 2 Kaylynn Albrecht of Baker (Kan.) def. No. 1 Latifah McBryde of Life (Ga.), VPO1 11-8

Albrecht was the runner-up in 2022 and has been on a mission this season to avenge her loss. To do so, she would have to knock off the top seed in the bracket of McBryde. The high scoring, back and forth affair saw McBryde leading 8-2 until 1:19 remaining in the second period. A closing 7-0 run by Albrecht gave her the revenge she was looking for all year long.

170 – No. 1 Dymond Guilford of Cumberlands (Ky.) def. No. 2 Joye Levendusky of Southern Oregon, VFA 3:59 5-1

Guilford is the second wrestler in the field with a third championship within reach. Instead of it being at different weight classes like Prussin, Guilford did it at two institutions. The contest was tied at 1-1 until 2:01 in the second period when Guilford scored the four point move to win the bout.

191 – No. 10 Grace Kristoff of Southern Oregon def. No. 5 Jaycee Foeller of Central Methodist (Mo.), VFA 5:59 6-1

The bracket with the most upsets, Kristoff was the sole double-digit seed to reach the Championship round and will face off against Foeller who pulled an upset of her own. Both had already secured their first All-American recognition in their career. Her Cinderella story continued as Kristoff came back from 1-0 down in the second period to grab the championship.

Awards:

Gabrielle Weyrich of Southern Oregon wins Coach of the Year.

Adaugo Nwachukwu of Iowa Wesleyan named NAIA Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year.

Adaugo Nwachukwu of Iowa Wesleyan was selected as the NWCA-NAIA Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships.  

Providence (Mont.) wins Team Sportsmanship recognition. 

Click here for the full list of 2023 NAIA Women's Wrestling All-Americans