Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
 
April 16, 2024 - The Cardinals Wrestling Club (CWC), which featured 10 North Central College women's wrestlers, competed in the U23 United States Women's Nationals last weekend. Eight CWC wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes, including Amani Jones taking first place in the 55 kg weight class.

Jaslynn Gallegos kicked off the action for CWC at 53 kg by defeating Florida's Alesandra Burgos with a 12-2 technical fall. Gallegos then defeated Dianna Holmes of Georgia with a second technical fall in the tournament (12-1). In the semifinals, Gallegos defeated California's Eden Hernandez with a technical fall (10-0). Gallegos secured a second-place finish after a hard-fought 10-6 decision to Elena Ivaldi (CA), earning a second USA Wrestling All-American title.

Jones, the 2024 123-pound National Champion, received a bye in the first round before defeating Indiana's Catherine Campbell by a 10-0 technical fall in the second round of the 55 kg bracket. Facing Maya Davis of Illinois in the semifinals, Jones punched her ticket to the championship bout as she beat Davis by a 10-0 technical fall. In the championships, Jones squared off with Pennsylvania's Montana DeLawder. Jones was crowned the U23 55 kg champion by defeating DeLawder with an 8-1 decision. Jones earned All-American honors for the second consecutive year.

Sara Sterner received a bye in the first round of the 57 kg bracket before pinning Rose Kaplan of Indiana in the second round (1:20). Sterner defeated Payton Stroud of Washington by a 7-1 decision before falling to New York's Sofia Macaluso by a close 6-3 decision. In the consolation bracket, Sterner fell to Haley Narahara in a heartbreaking 3-2 decision.

Also in the 57 kg bracket was Asia Nguyen-Smith. Nguyen-Smith received back-to-back byes, before pinning New Jersey's Kali Roskos (1:02). In the quarterfinals, Nguyen-Smith defeated Wisconsin's Josie Bartishofski by a 6-2 decision before falling to Carissa Qureshi of California by a pin. In the consolation bracket, Nguyen-Smith defeated Ashley Whetzal of Missouri by a pin (2:54). Nguyen-Smith secured fourth place after falling to Hawaii's Haley Narahara by a 10-6 decision. Nguyen-Smith received All-American honors for the second time in her career.

Yele Aycock represented CWC in the 59 kg bracket. Aycock started her day in the quarterfinals after receiving two byes in the first two rounds. Aycock defeated Arizona's Emma Velasco by a 10-0 technical fall. In the quarterfinals, Aycock defeated Ngao Shoua Whitethorn of Wisconsin by a 10-6 decision. Aycock lost in the finals in a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Hawaii's Skye Realin. Aycock ended the weekend in second place with All-American honors.

Niya Teresita Gaines started the tournament with two byes in the 62 kg bracket. In the quarterfinals, Gaines only needed 42 seconds to pin Athena Calderon of California. Gaines defeated Louisa Schwab of California by a 6-2 decision, before falling to Colorado's Adaugo Nwachukwu by a 11-0 technical fall. In the consolation bracket, Gaines fell to Washington's Claire DiCugno by a pin. Next, Gaines met Emmily Patneaud of Wisconsin on the mat. Gaines fell to Patneaud in a nail-biting 4-4 decision. Gaines earned All-American honors for the first time in her career.

Also in the 62 kg bracket was Emma Grimm. Grimm received a bye in the first round before defeating Maryland's Alexandra Szkotnicki by a 3-1 decision. Grimm then fell to Patneaud in a 5-2 decision. In the consolation bracket, Grimm defeated California's Makynna Loepp by a 10-0 decision but fell to DiCugno by a pin in the next round. Grimm finished the tournament in seventh place by taking down Samantha Barragan (CA) with an 11-10 decision and earned All-American honors.

In the 65 kg weight class, Alara Boyd received a bye in the first round. Boyd pinned Paige Jackson of West Virginia in two minutes and 25 seconds. Then, Boyd pinned Alexandra Lopez of California (4:33), before pinning Washington's Viktorya Torres in the quarterfinals (1:58). Boyd finished the weekend in second place with All-American honors after falling to Aine Drury of California in a heartbreaking 5-3 decision.

Riley Aamold started the tournament in the second round of the 68 kg bracket, following a bye in the first round. In the next round, Aamold fell to Minnesota's Nina Makem by a 7-2 decision. However, Aamold rallied back in the consolation bracket. After starting with a bye, Aamold only needed 44 seconds to pin McKenzie Cook of Arkansas. Aamold defeated California's Stephanie Chavez by a 10-0 technical fall before earning another win from an injury forfeit. In the third-place match, Aamold took down Liv Wieber of Idaho by an 11-0 decision and earned All-American honors.

London Houston kicked off her weekend in the 72 kg weight class by defeating Paige Beals of California by a 10-0 technical fall. In the quarterfinals, Houston defeated Emma E. Matera of New Jersey by a 10-0 technical fall. Houston punched her ticket to the finals by picking up her third technical fall over Noelle Graffney of New Jersey (10-0). Houston took second place and earned All-American honors after forfeiting the final match due to injury.

The Cardinal Wrestling Club will send six wrestlers to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Apr. 19 and Apr. 20 in University Park, Pennsylvania. For more information about the trials, click HERE.

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