IW’s Nwachukwu, Palumbo repeat as conference champions

OSKALOOSA — What a day the Iowa Wesleyan women’s wrestling team had on Saturday in the 2023 Heart of America Championships.

The Tigers took 12 wrestlers to the conference tournament and left with 12 place winners, 10 national qualifiers, two champions, a Co-Outstanding Wrestler and a runner-up finish.

As a team, Iowa Wesleyan put up 148.5 points, good enough for second. Gran View University took first with 191.5 points.

The Tiger’s two champions on the day were #1 Adaugo Nwachukwu at 136 and #2 Mia Palumbo at 109.

Nwachukwu received a bye in her opening two round matches to advance to he semifinal match. In the semifinal, Nwachukwu defeated Mariam Shariq of Baker University by tech fall 10-0 to move the 136-pound championship match. Nwachukwu dominated #14 Jade Martin of Missouri Valley College by fall in 1:08 to win the 136-pound Heart of America title for the second straight season.

At 109, Palumbo received a bye, before facing Rachel Cotter of William Penn University in the quarterfinals. Palumbo defeated Cotter by fall in 2:00 to move the semifinals. In her semifinal match, Palumbo defeated #14 Hailey Holland of Missouri Valley College by tech fall 10-0 to move to the championship match against teammate #12 Faith Cole for the 109-pound championship. Palumbo defeated Cole by decision 8-1 to win her second straight Heart of America Championship.

Alaina Sunlin, Faith Cole, Isabelle Hawley and America Lopez all finished second.

In the 101-pound weight class, the Tigers were represented by #10 Alaina Sunlin. Sunlin would receive a bye in her opening round matching before facing off against Alanis Serrano-Rios of Waldorf Univerity. Sunlin defeated Serrano-Rios by fall in 1:45 in her quarterfinal match. In the semifinals Sunlin defeated Sage Beltran of Missouri Valley College by fall in 2:31 to move to the 101-pound championship match. Sunlin was defeated by #8 Jasmine Alexander of Grand View University by fall in 0:57. Sunlin would have to wrestle for true 2nd and would defeat Emily Porras of Waldorf University by fall in 1:57 to place 2nd.

At 109, Cole received a bye in her opening round match before being faced off against Kylee Slyter of Baker University in the quarterfinals. Cole defeated Slyter by fall in 0:56 to move to the semifinals. In her semifinal match, Cole defeated #10 Laura Lincoln of Missouri Valley College by tech fall in 2:03 to move to the championship match against Palumbo for the 109-pound championship. Cole lost to Palumbo by decision 8-1 to place 2nd in 109-pound bracket.

Hawley received a bye to open up her tournament at 143 before facing off against MayLee Edwards of William Penn University in the quarterfinals. Hawley defeated Edwards by tech fall 11-0 to move to the semifinals. In her semifinal match, Hawley defeated #11 Lilly Gough of Central Methodist University by decision 4-0 to advance to the 143-pound title match. In the title match, Hawley was defeated by #1 Alexis Gomez of Grand View University by fall in 1:38 to finish 2nd in the 143-pound bracket.

In the 170-pound weight class, the Tigers were represented by #17 America Lopez. Lopez received a bye to open up her tournament before facing off against #20 Shainne Whited of Central Methodist University in the quarterfinals. Lopez defeated Whited by tech fall 12-1 to move the semifinals. In her semifinal match, Lopez defeated #6 Shenita Lawson of Grand View University by fall in 5:42 to advance to the 170-pound title match. Lopez was defeated by #3 Abby McIntyre of Grand View University by decision 3-2 to finish 2nd in the 170-pound bracket.

Rounding out the Tigers in the tournament were #10 JoAnna Vanderwood and #16 Destiny Campbell with 3rd and 4th place finishes at 130.

Sydney Manos, #15, and Grace Gray finished 5th and 6th at 191. #16 Naida Abdijanovic followed with a 6th place finish at 143. Zoi Smith was a 6th place finisher as well at 123.

The Tigers will be back on the mat on March 10-11 with the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championships.