Women's Wrestling Downs DWU to Open GPAC Duals Event

CRETE, Neb. – The 12th-ranked Doane University women's wrestling team delivered a commanding performance Saturday afternoon at the Haddix Center, rolling past Dakota Wesleyan by a final score of 43-6 in the opening match of the inaugural GPAC Duals.

The Tigers set the tone early, taking advantage of three open weight classes to jump out to a 15-0 lead. At 103 pounds, No. 12 Karina Vang earned a forfeit victory, followed by a forfeit win from No. 18 Kimberly Navarrete (ranked at 103) at 110 pounds, and another from No. 11 Angelica Vicente Gonzalez at 117.

Doane continued to widen the gap with bonus-point performances on the mat. At 124 pounds, Bettie Chambers secured a fall in 1:38 to push the Tigers ahead 20-0. No. 12 Ashlee Palimo'o followed with a lightning-quick pin in just 54 seconds at 131 pounds, extending the lead to 25-0.

Dakota Wesleyan picked up its lone match victory at 138 pounds, but the Tigers quickly regained control. No. 16 Bridgette Sotomayor added another forfeit at 145 to make it 30-5.

At 160 pounds, Avani Zephier-Wilkie delivered an impressive technical fall, defeating her opponent 12-2 in 4:14 to add four team points. The momentum continued at 180, where No. 20 Yazmin Belk claimed a forfeit victory.

The dual concluded in dominant fashion at 207 pounds as No. 3 Jessica Rodriguez overwhelmed her opponent with a 12-0 technical fall in just 56 seconds, sealing the 43-6 team triumph.

Doane finished the match with three falls, two technical falls, and five forfeits. The Tigers' balanced attack and bonus-point production highlighted why they remain among the NAIA's top programs.