National Championship
2021 - 170 Pounds
2022 - 170 Pounds
2023 - 170 Pounds

Yelena Makoyed won the first individual national championship in the history of the North Central College women's wrestling program in just the Cardinals' second season of competition, prevailing in the 170-pound weight class in the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) on Mar. 6, 2021 in Tiffin, Ohio.

Facing the fourth-ranked Nia Crosdale (King University) in the semifinals, Makoyed won by technical fall, 10-0. In the championship match, she maintained her dominance by beating second-ranked Joye Levendusky of McKendree University via a 12-2 tech fall victory. Makoyed finished the year at a perfect 13-0.

Makoyed defended her 170-pound title in 2022 with a 11-0 technical fall win over McKendree's Joye Levendusky, finishing her third consecutive season as an All-American. Makoyed became the first two time national champion for the Cardinals and the second three time All-American. 

"It's a breath of fresh air getting this one," said Makoyed. "I was a little bit nervous because last year's Nationals were less challenging because of COVID, I feel like there was less competition. This year the 170-pound weight class was stacked, it was wild but I had to tell myself that I earned it and I deserved it. I worked really hard for this and I have what I need to win so I just have to be confident with myself."

In 2023, Makoyed faced Brookyln Hays of Augsburg in the semifinals and after an aggressive single lead attempt by Hays, Makoyed flipped the script and put Hays on her back to earn the pin. Makoyed would face Cheyenne Bowman of King in the championship bout,. Bowman defeated Makoyed at the 2021 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) which was Makoyed's last loss in college. Makoyed had a 9-0 lead in the second period and would put Bowman on her back to claim the 170-pound crown. Makoyed became the first Cardinal in history to win three National Titles and earn All-American status for the fourth-straight year. 

"Out of all of the wins that I have, nothing has compared to the connections and memories that I have made with my team," Makoyed said. "Every year out of the four years I've been here, it has been a different journey. Coach Joe and all of our coaches work so hard and I am so grateful for everyone including the parents, teammates, training partners and god. Without God, I would have not chosen to come to North Central or wrestle at all."