Life University Athletics

CLINTON, S.C. ---- The No. 4 nationally ranked Life University women's wrestling team earned a pair of victories over the weekend at the nations first NCAA Division 1 women's wrestling home dual. The Running Eagles defeated the first D1 women's program in Presbyterian 26-21 and then downed NCAA D2 Limestone College 42-6.

In the dual with Presbyterian, Life U held an early 5-0 lead with a forfeit at 101. Presbyterian won at 109 and a forfeit at 116 put the home team ahead 10-5 over the Running Eagles. Julia Vidallon responded at 123 with an 11-0 technical fall over her opponent with Aysia Cortez following the performance in 10-0 fashion at 130 lbs. 

Erica Sotelo continued her dominant season at 136 with a win via pin fall 1:12 into the first period to give the Running Eagles a commanding 18-10 lead. Presbyterian responded at 143 and 155 with pins to take a 20-18 advantage. The match rested on the shoulders of the 170 lbs. matchup as Presbyterian would forfeit 191. Jordan Nelson secured the 5-1 decision at 170 to Life U the 26-21 victory.

Life U dominated Limestone as the Running Eagles won nine of the ten weight classes, and surrendered just one point during the dual to win 42-6. Faye Cherrier earned the pin at 2:46 in the 101 lbs. weight class as Eny Zuniga followed suite at 109 with a pin at 3:52. Katalina Bartelt earned a 10-0 TF at 116 as Vidallon earned her second TF by a 12-0 margin at 123.

Niomi Briones earned the pin fall victory at 130 just before the end of the first period of action as Sotelo picked up her second pin of the day in the first period (1:28) at 136. Limestone won its only matchup at 143 with Destinee River bouncing back on a 15-4 decision at 155 that included a five point throw. Nelson won via forfeit at 170 and Gabrielle Hamilton wrapped up the match with a pin 50 seconds into the first period at 191.

"This weekend's matches are another lesson that we will use to prepare for the championship season which is just around the corner. The most important lesson we can take away is rising to the moment and fighting through every position regardless of if we are winning or losing the match," head coach Ashley Sword stated. "Our middle weights approached this weekend not as an historic event, but as a another day in the office and it showed. Julia has shown up everyday this season with a goal in mind and it is so fun to watch her execute her plan. She is one of the fastest most powerful women in the country at 123 and she showed it this weekend. Aysia is coming into her own as a brutal wrestler who expects to win. Erica once again proved why she was a national finalist last year with dangerous throws and dominating victories. While we are focused on our long term goals for the year, we cannot overlook what this weekend was, and I am not sure that the historical impact of this weekend's win against PC is fully understood by the team, or if anyone can truly know what it means in the long run so close to the event taking place. To be a part of the first NCAA D1 home event in Women's Wrestling history as an NAIA school and to come away with a win is no small thing.
The 3 schools competing from three separate divisions (NCAA D1, D2, and NAIA) all were led by female head coaches who all competed together for the USA.
It is an amazing milestone for the sport of women's wrestling and sports overall."

The women's wrestling team will return to action on Wednesday, December 11, as they host Emmanuel College in the 2019-20 home opener at 5 PM in the Upper Gym on campus.