Tie-Breaker Determines Women's Wrestling Match with Texas Wesleyan

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Jan. 9, 2026) — Eighth-ranked Doane and ninth-ranked Texas Wesleyan battled to a dramatic 23–23 draw Friday night inside the UNI Dome, but Texas Wesleyan was awarded the dual victory on tie-break criteria after posting more individual wins in the match. 

Doane opened the match with momentum at 103 pounds as No. 14 Karina Vang pinned Nataleigh Zapata in 1:24 to give the Tigers an early lead. Texas Wesleyan responded at 110 with a technical fall from No. 15 Gracie Elliott, cutting into the margin before Doane answered again at 117. No. 13 Angelica Vicente Gonzalez earned a fall in 1:24 over No. 17 Vanessa De La Cruz to swing the score back in Doane's favor.

Top-ranked Cristelle Rodriguez made quick work at 124, securing a fall in just 40 seconds against Carolina Ross, pushing the Tigers out to a 16–4 advantage. Texas Wesleyan halted the run at 131 as No. 8 Elizabeth Duvall edged No. 13 Ashlee Palimo'o by a 10–8 decision.

The dual see-sawed in the middle weights. No. 2 Samantha Barragan recorded a technical fall at 138 for Texas Wesleyan, while Doane countered at 145 behind No. 10 Bridgette Sotomayor, who pinned Jaylah Davenport in 3:31 to extend the Tigers' lead to 22–11.

Texas Wesleyan mounted its comeback over the final three bouts. Pella Lefever posted an 11–0 technical fall at 160, followed by a fall from Taydem Khamjoi at 180 to pull the Rams within two. The dual came down to the final match at 207, where No. 2 Carla Campos defeated No. 3 Jessica Rodriguez by a 10–6 decision to knot the team score at 23–23.

With both teams deadlocked on points, Texas Wesleyan claimed the dual by tie-break criteria, winning on most individual victories in the match.

Doane will return to action on Saturday as they take on No. 14 Evergreen State at 10:30 AM.

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