NAIA teams are making late-season moves as they push toward the national championships on March 14-15 in Wichita, Kansas. 

Four Nigerians entered the 2025 Grand View Open in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, February 1. Three won titles, and the other finished third, losing a semifinal match to her countrywoman. 

Christianah Ogunsanya (William Penn), Mercy Adekuoroye (Wayland Baptist), and Esther Kolawole (William Penn) combined to win 14 matches with 10 techs, two falls, and two decisions. 

Jumoke Adekoye (Dickinson State) won five matches but fell to Adekuoroye.

It was the season's first competition for Adekuoroye, who defeated US Open champion Xochitl Mota-Pettis (Missouri Valley), 6-3, in the 131-pound finals. Mota-Pettis, 24, made her college debut after years of senior-level success. 

Missouri Valley also added two-time Senior World teamer Jasmina Immaeva of Uzbekistan. 

Ogunsanya (117) and Kolawole (138) won their second tournaments of the season after their college debut at the Warrior Women’s Open on January 25. 

Both competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Life University is still the favorite to win the NAIA Championships, but these roster additions prove that teams are serious about grounding the Running Eagles when it matters most. 

Below is a partial list of international wrestlers (not including Canada) that compete for NAIA or NCAA programs.

Grand View Open Was Good As Gold

The Grand View Open was the last major tournament of the season, and it delivered a treasure trove of interesting results. 

Iowa held de facto wrestle-offs with all-Iowa finals at three weights. 

103: Rianne Murphy over Sterling Dias, 5-0
110: Ava Bayless over Val Solorio, 7-0
207: Katja Osteen over Alivia White, 9-1

The Hawkeyes will presumably send two wrestlers to regionals at each of the above weights (remember, teams can send 15 to regionals), with Murphy, Dias, Bayless, and Osteen earning roster spots. 

Returning national finalist Jaycee Foeller has the top spot at 207, but it’s less clear at 110. Returning 101-pound champion Emilie Gonzalez moved up to 110 this season and is in a three-way battle. She defeated Solorio, 6-2, at Soldier Salute but fell 8-0 match at Grand View.

There’s lots to sort out, but Iowa’s post-season roster might look like. 

103: Rianne Murphy, Sterling Dias
110: Ava Bayless, Emilie Gonzalez or Val Solorio
117: Brianna Gonzalez
124: Cali Leng
131: Skye Realin
138: Nanea Estrella
145: Macey Kilty, Reese Larramendy
160: Kennedy Blades
180: Kylie Welker, Naomi Simon
207: Jaycee Foeller, Katja Osteen

McKendree didn’t send most of its starters but looked sharp in spots. Haylie Jaffe reached the 138-pound finals, defeating Iowa’s Nanea Estrella 7-1 in the semifinals, before falling to Kolawole 10-0. 

Lydia Krauss (180) finished third, and Samantha Miller (110) and Viktorya Torres (131) were fourth. Krauss fell to Simon, and Miller lost to Gonzalez twice. Torres dropped a 7-2 match to Mota-Pettis and forfeited the consolation finals. 

Jordan Suarez (Wayland Baptist) should feel good about her 138-pound run. She went 6-1, dropping a quarterfinal match to Kolawole, before bouncing back for third with an 8-4 win over US Open champ Estrella. 

Catie Campbell (Grand View) gave the hometown crowd a thrill when she defeated Mateah Roehl (Askren Wrestling Academy), 6-2, in the 124-pound finals, and high schooler Alexandria Alli (Elite Accelerator Program) blitzed through the 160-pound bracket. 

Decision Time For North Central

Joe Norton took North Central to the West Coast for the Menlo Open and left with most of the hardware. Maddie Avila (103), Kendra Ryan (110), Sydney Petzinger (117), Amani Jones (124), Sara Sterner (131), Bella Mir (145), Brittyn Corbishley (180), and Traeh Haynes (207) won titles. Taylor Graveman and Emma Grimm reached the 138-pound finals but double forfeited. Tiera Jimerson (160) finished second. 

Below is a snapshot of what North Central’s post-season lineup might look like.

103: Brianne Graves, Maddie Avila
110: Kendra Ryan
117: Sydney Petzinger
124: Amani Jones
131: Sara Sterner, Eliana White-Vega
138: Taylor Graveman, Emma Grimm
145: Bella Mir, Sydney Perry
160: Tiera Jimerson
180: Shenita Lawson
207: Dasia Yearby, Traeh Haynes

Norton could also send Janessa George (124) or Brittyn Corbishley (180).

Showcase Dual: William Penn vs Grand View On IPTV

Get your popcorn ready at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, February 11. Iowa Public Television concludes its wrestling coverage with the women’s freestyle dual between NAIA powers William Penn and Grand View. This should be one of the best meets of the season. 

Click here to watch live for free. 

College Commitments Are Rolling In

Click here to see what high schoolers have committed to college. Email kyle.klingman@flosports.tv to add someone to the list. 

It’s A Miracle!

Kayla Miracle, a two-time Olympian, coached the Valiant College Prep high school team at the Grand View Open. Miracle took a break from training to evaluate her competitive career. 

Good news for wrestling fans! She is wrestling at the 2025 US Open and will make a run at another World team. 

Listen to Miracle’s interview about her decision and a newfound love for coaching. 

Women's Wrestling Weekly: The Show (Ep. 14)

Topic covered:
-- Would freestyle high school wrestling prevent shoulder injuries?
-- Why making weight for women is different
-- Grand View Open recap
-- The Nigerians impress
-- International college stars
-- Iowa's 110-pound dilemma
-- Is the NAIA equal to the NCAA?
-- NAIA vs NCAA head-to-head
-- 2x Olympian Kayla Miracle is back (for now)
-- How women's freestyle wrestlers make a living
-- Zagreb Open preview
-- Scott Beck is measured and rant-free (for now)

This week's edition covers the Grand View Open, NAIA vs NCAA, making weight, and Zagreb Open.

Women's Spotlight: Grace Leota

Senior Grace Leota seeks (Hernando) her third Florida state title before attending college at D1 Presbyterian.

Women's Spotlight: Maddie Kubicki

Presbyterian Maddie Kubicki had a successful rookie season. She want more as a sophomore.

Upcoming Tournaments

Saturday, February 8-9
D3 Invitational

Saturday, February 8
Midland Warrior Open

Sunday, February 9
JCU Open

College Open Results

Friday, January 31
Spire Classic

Saturday February 1
Bobcat Open
RMAC Championships
Grand View Open
Lindsey Wilson Open

Sunday, February 2
Oaks Open