Women’s Wrestling Third Heading into Day Two of NCAA Championships

Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Associate Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5302

CORALVILLE, Iowa (March 6, 2026) – The North Central College Cardinals concluded the opening day of the 2026 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships with 73 team points, sitting third overall with six Cardinals advancing to the semifinal round in Saturday's Session 3 inside Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

The Cardinals trailed the University of Iowa by half a point after the opening session, with nine wrestlers advancing. At the end of Session 2, North Central totaled 73 points to sit third behind McKendree University's 94 points and Iowa's 91.5. Six Cardinals remain alive in the championship bracket, while one is competing in the consolation rounds.

Madison Avila opened the weekend for the Cardinals at 103 pounds with a pin at the 1:38 mark over East Stroudsburg's Olivia Klein, but suffered a loss to Grand Valley State's Rayana Sahagun via a late pin in the fifth minute of the quarterfinal round. Avila rebounded in the wrestlebacks against Brianna Vollendroff (Chadron State), building an 8-0 lead in the first period before adding two more points for a 10-0 technical fall.

In her naIn her national championship debut, freshman Riley Rayome needed just 49 seconds to pin Sacred Heart's Nohea Moniz. After trailing 4-0 at the end of the first period in her quarterfinal match against Abigail Cooper (Lehigh), Rayome delivered a crucial series highlighted by a five-point throw to take the lead. She added four more points to claim a 9-4 decision and advance to the semifinals.

Top-seeded Sara Sterner at 124 pounds recorded an 11-0 technical fall in her opening bout against Megan Edwards of Elmira. In the quarterfinals, Sterner built an early 6-1 lead against Alyssa Mahan of Presbyterian and continued to extend the margin in the second period. With 53 seconds remaining, Sterner scored five more points to secure an 11-1 technical fall victory.

Claire DiCugno (138) carried a 4-0 lead into the second period of her opening match before adding six points on a takedown and two turns to earn a 10-0 technical fall over Ella Finding (Simon Fraser). Facing Kylie Rule in the quarterfinals, DiCugno held a 7-1 advantage entering the second period before finishing off the 11-1 technical fall.

At 145 pounds, Bella Mir earned her first win of the day with a 10-0 technical fall over Sanya Queen (Western New England), using multiple takedowns before sealing the win with a turn. In the quarterfinals, Mir made quick work of Liv Wieber (Simon Fraser), needing just 52 seconds to secure another 10-0 technical fall and her spot in Saturday's semifinal round.

Shenita Lawson (180) defeated Sacred Heart's Madeline Hodges in the opening round via a 10-0 technical fall. An evenly contested quarterfinal match saw Lawson and Paige Maher (Simon Fraser) tied 2-2 with seconds remaining. Lawson scored as time expired to secure a 4-2 decision and advance to the semifinals.

At 207 pounds, Caroline Ward closed out the opening session for the Cardinals with a pin at the 1:21 mark over Elizabeth Stricklin (D'Youville). Ward returned in Session 2 and held a 4-2 lead over Jayleen Sekona (Colorado Mesa) at the end of the first period before continuing to battle for a 6-2 decision victory, earning a semifinal berth in her first national tournament appearance.

Sterner, Rayome, DiCugno, Mir, Lawson, and Ward remain undefeated after day one and will all compete in Saturday's semifinal round. Avila will continue in the wrestlebacks.

The Cardinals return to Xtream Arena Saturday, March 7, for the final day of the NCAA Championships. Session 3 is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with the championship finals set for 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Madison Avila: 103; Senior

Shenita Lawson: 180; Senior

Bella Mir: 145; Senior

Sara Sterner: 124; Graduate Student

Caroline Ward: 207; Junior

Claire DiCugno: 138; Graduate Student

Riley Rayome: 117; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Madison Avila
: Senior
: 103

Shenita Lawson
: Senior
: 180

Bella Mir
: Senior
: 145

Sara Sterner
: Graduate Student
: 124

Caroline Ward
: Junior
: 207

Claire DiCugno
: Graduate Student
: 138

Riley Rayome
: Freshman
: 117

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

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