Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Associate Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5302
 
SPOKANE, Wash. (April 17, 2026) – Members of the North Central College women's wrestling team competed at the USA Women's Wrestling Nationals held April 9–12 in Spokane, Washington, for Cardinal Wrestling Club (CWC). Competing against the nation's top talent across U20 and U23 divisions, 10 North Central women's wrestlers earned top-eight finishes in their respective weight classes, with Taylor Graveman being crowned champion of the 72 kg weight class.
 
CWC saw strong representation in the U20 division, highlighted by a runner-up finish from Jael Miller at 76 kg. Miller cruised to the quarterfinals with three straight wins via technical fall before notching an 8-4 decision over Naomi Simon (IWWC), a 2025 U20 World Team member, in the semifinal. Miller then faced Piper Fowler in the finals, where she fell in a pair of narrow decisions in the best-of-three series as she finished second overall. Miller's performance not only secured her place on the podium but also qualified her for the U20 Pan American Team. She will have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Pan-American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 9–11.
 
Additional U20 placers included Mikayla Garcia (8th, 53 kg), Riley Rayome (4th, 55 kg), and Elizabeth Rosenstiel (7th, 75 kg).
 
In the U23 division, CWC continued its momentum with six athletes earning podium finishes. Taylor Graveman led the way, capturing a national title at 72 kg. A medical forfeit in her opening bout pit Graveman against Hailey Sutton (AWC) where Graveman won in a dominant 10-0 technical fall. She then advanced to the finals after earning a 14-11 decision over Ella Poalillo (IHWC) in the quarterfinals and a 6-5 decision against Stela Steigler (TTWC) in the semifinals. Graveman then used a pair of decision wins (13-11, 9-6) to defeat Shannon Workinger (QRW) in the best-of-three championship series. With the victory, Graveman secured a spot on the U23 Pan American Team and will compete in Caracas, Venezuela, June 18–20.
 
CWC added three more finalists in the U23 division, with Sara Sterner (57 kg), Claire DiCugno (62 kg), and Shenita Lawson (76 kg) each earning runner-up finishes. Sterner went 3-0 with two pins and a technical fall to earn her spot in the finals, where she went 1-2 in the championship series for a runner-up finish. Her win in the finals series was also via a pin.
 
DiCugno racked up three technical falls and a decision to earn her spot in the finals of the 62 kg bracket. DiCugno ultimately fell 0-2 in the championship series to Adaugo Nwachukwu (WCAP), a five-time age-group World Team member, to finish as runner-up.
 
Lawson used an opening round technical fall, a quarterfinal decision, and a semifinal technical fall to etch a spot in the 76 kg final. She managed a 1-2 record in the best-of-three series against Alexandria Alli (UWRF), all of which were decided by decisions. Lawson notched an 8-6 decision in the second match of the series but fell 5-3 in the third to finish second.
 
Grace Stem (4th, 59 kg) and Kaelani Shufeldt (6th, 50 kg) also turned in place finishes at USA Women's Wrestling Nationals.
 
Following the national championships, several CWC wrestlers remain in contention for U23 World Team positions. World Team selection is determined by performance across multiple events, including the upcoming U.S. Open in Las Vegas, April 21–26, the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Louisville, May 14–15, and Final X in Newark, New Jersey, on June 19.