Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
 
CCIW Press Release
 
Dec. 19, 2023 - Kendra Ryan of the North Central College women's wrestling program has been awarded the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Wrestler of the Week for the second time this season. She had a near perfect performance in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Qualifier.
 
Over the weekend, Ryan wrestled for the Cardinal Wrestling Club at the 50kg weight class and earned a 6-1 record in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Qualifier. After a bye in the first round, she defeated Adianna Gomez from Arizona Girls Wrestling with a 10-0 technical fall. Ryan took down Erica Pastoriza (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) with a 7-1 decision before falling to Kaelani Shufeldt (California) by a pin (5:51).
 
Not letting the last round dismantle her, she dominated No. 2 Ava Bayles of Iowa Women's Wrestling Club with a 12-1 technical fall. Ryan went on to defeat Aleeah Gould (Army) with a 10-0 technical fall. In the consolation semifinals, an injury default from Erin Goldston (New York Athletic Club) took Ryan to the third-place match. Ryan saw Kaelani Shufeldt once again, this time defeating Shufeldt in a nail biting 4-4 decision. The third-place finish also qualified her for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April. 
 
This season Ryan has also been named the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Regional Wrestler of the Month and National Wrestler of the Month. She is only the second Cardinal in program history to be named the NWCA National Wrestler of the Month.
 
After being ranked No. 2 in the 109-pound weight class in the NWCA Preseason Rankings, Ryan has held onto the No. 1 ranking for the last two polls.
 
Ryan and her fellow teammates will have a short break for the holidays before competing at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championship Dec. 30. Matches are set to start at 9:30 am inside the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
 
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