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Warriors show fight in NWCA National Duals

waldorf-warriors-outline_1By Matt Oliver

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Competing shorthanded didn’t stop the Waldorf College women’s wrestling team from showing heart with hard-fought performances in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals on Friday.

“We gave up quite a few weights, but the girls who wrestled got after it,” Waldorf coach Tyreece Gilder said. “They each had some tough matches that we didn’t come out on top in, but they showed good fight out there on the mats.”

The Warriors (4-9) entered the tournament ranked No. 20 in the latest Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) poll and won one of three dual meets.

Seventh-ranked McKendree University (14-6) claimed a 39-1 win over Waldorf in the opening round. Eleventh-ranked Missouri Baptist University (8-11-1) escaped with a 21-17 win over the Warriors in a first-round consolation dual. Waldorf notched a 25-15 victory over No. 13 Adrian College (0-3) in its final dual.

Redshirt freshman Rachael Coleck (130 pounds) and freshman Harmony Maitland (170) turned in the top performances for the Warriors, posting 2-1 records on the day.

Coleck (16-13) rolled to a 9-1 decision over Missouri Baptist’s eighth-ranked Erika Mihalca and won by fall against Adrian’s Deandra Benn in 4 minutes, 43 seconds. McKendree’s ninth-ranked Alexia Ward took an 8-0 decision from Coleck.

Maitland (4-11) held off Missouri Baptist’s Aylin Hernandez in an 11-8 decision and pinned Adrian’s Haylee McCoy in 2:16. McKendree’s Alexandria Glaude brought down Maitland in a 12-2 technical fall.

Waldorf freshmen Hope Cordoviz (101) and Rose Heurtelou (109) also finished with 2-1 records in the tournament, receiving two forfeits apiece.

Cordoviz (6-14) lost a 10-0 technical fall to McKendree’s ninth-ranked Kayla Walker. Heurtelou (10-13) was defeated by McKendree’s Arielle Hernandez in a 10-0 technical fall.

Sophomore Bailey McLaughlin (136) won one of three bouts for the Warriors. McLaughlin (4-21) took care of business against Adrian’s Vanessa Sanchez, securing a fall in 2:36. McKendree’s eighth-ranked Cassandra Herkelman topped McLaughlin behind a 10-0 technical fall. McLaughlin also fell in a 12-1 technical fall to Missouri Baptist’s Marki Simmons.

Waldorf was open in five weight classes, giving up forfeits at 116, 123, 143 and 155 against McKendree. Both teams were open at 191.

The Warriors surrendered forfeits at 123, 143 and 155 against Missouri Baptist. Both teams were open at 116 and 191.

Waldorf’s final dual against Adrian featured five forfeits and two open weight classes. The Warriors gave up forfeits at 123, 155 and 191. Both teams were open at 116 and 143.

Waldorf competes in next Sunday’s EZ Flex Sports Mats Open, which begins at 9 a.m. at Ottawa, Kansas. The NWCA National Duals served as solid tune-up for the Warriors, who have just two regular-season tournaments remaining before the WCWA National Championships in February.

“It was a great event to yet again see and compete against some of the best girls in the nation,” Gilder said. “There were definitely some positives we were able to come out with as well as adjustments to be made.”