Warriors Open Season at Waldorf Open

FOREST CITY, Iowa – The Midland University women's wrestling team opened its 2025 season on Saturday afternoon at the Waldorf University Open, held at Hanson Fieldhouse. Eight Warriors took the mat for the first time this season.

Freshman Alexis Oliver (124 pounds) went 0-2. After a first-round bye, Oliver lost to Kamdyn Saulter (unattached) by fall at 1:07, then was defeated by Kiera Hagman (Jamestown) by fall at 1:18.

Brianna Gayton (131 pounds) also went 0-2. She fell to Sophie Bowers (Wartburg) by technical fall, 15-1, and then to Cailyn Whittier (Wartburg) by technical fall, 10-0.

In the freshman/sophomore division at 160 pounds, Danielle Franco claimed first place. Following a first-round bye, she defeated Glori Ramirez (Augsburg) by technical fall, 10-0, then pinned Taylor Pavlik (Morningside) in 1:42. Franco advanced with a pin of Lucy Kohnen (Iowa Central CC) in 2:14 and won the championship bout by pinning Alaina Franco (Augsburg) in 1:13.

Destiny Castillo (110 pounds) went 1-2. After a first-round bye, she lost to Aneth Campos (Iowa Central CC) by fall at 3:28, then rebounded to defeat Harley Tobin (Buena Vista) by technical fall, 11-0. Castillo was eliminated after falling to Keana Bush (Grand View) by pin at 1:24.

Ja'Nya Banks (160 pounds) went 0-2, dropping a close 5-4 decision to Leah Willard (Jamestown) and then falling 5-2 to Olivia Smith (Dakota Wesleyan).

Maci Avila (138 pounds) placed second. She opened with a pin of Shania Graybill (Buena Vista) in 36 seconds, followed by a pin of Johanna Steinlicht (Sioux Falls) in 2:17. Avila then pinned Danni Swihart (Iowa) in 1:34 and Aubrie Pehrson (Wartburg) in 1:12 to reach the finals, where she fell to Skye Realin (Iowa) by technical fall, 16-4.

Noelia Sedano (235 pounds) also earned a runner-up finish. After a first-round bye, Sedano defeated Alannah Peterson (Buena Vista) by technical fall, 11-0, before losing to Faith Tarrant (Iowa Western CC) by fall at 4:38 in the championship bout.

Taylor Hood (117 pounds) placed fourth. Hood began the day with a pin of Carissa Hersom (Wartburg) at 1:05, followed by a 32-second pin of Katherine Escalante (Augsburg). She then pinned Tierra Pollard (Southeast CC) in 1:50 before falling to Hailey Medina (Iowa Western CC) by decision, 7-4. Hood rebounded in the consolation semifinals with a 31-second pin of Hope Chiattello (Wartburg), then fell to Yusneiri Agrazal (Central Methodist) by pin in 37 seconds in the third-place match.

Midland will return to action Nov. 22-23 at the Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Missouri.