Life University Athletics

FORT WAYNE, Ind. ---- The fifth-ranked Life U women's wrestling team secured another convincing victory today, moving to 4-0 on the season after beating No. 16 Indiana Tech 36-9 on the road.

The Running Eagles' victory saw multiple wrestlers competing up a weight class, but the team worked its way to the victory earning pins at 101, 116, 155, and 191 and technical falls at 123, 136, and 170.

In her first appearance of the season, Devyn Gomez got off to a perfect start, controlling her 16th-ranked opponent for just over a minute before winning via pin (1:18). Katalina Bartelt found herself in a dogfight against the No. 11 wrestler at 109, but an unfortunate injury brought her match to a close and tied the teams after two matches at 5-5. At 116, Kory Phillips put the Running Eagles back on top, securing a pin in the second period (4:05).

Peyton Prussin wrestled at 123 and took charge of her match right off the bat, defeating her opponent via technical fall (11-1, 2:32) to push the Life U advantage to 14-5. Julia Vidallon went the distance at 130, getting the victory by decision. The match at 136 went much quicker, Briana Kellin quickly defeating her opponent by tech fall (10-0, 1:24) as the Life U lead extended to 21-6. 

Hailey Finn controlled the first period of her match but a tough fought second period saw her losing via decision. Jackie Font's match at 155 went back and forth until a 4-point takedown in the second period got her in position for a massive pin (4:45). In the penultimate match, Jordan Nelson dominated her 20th-ranked opponent throughout her match on the way to a tech fall (10-0, 2:14). Down 4-3 midway through the first period, a reversal by Katie Moore led to a victory by pin fall (2:34) over a Warrior wrestler ranked 17th at 191 shortly after as the Running Eagles defeated the Warriors 36-9.

Head Coach Ashley Sword was excited to get back to competing, "We're excited to start our conference season out with a win." She looks forward to learning as a team moving forward into tomorrow's tournament," Going straight from a dual into an open tournament gives us the amazing opportunity to correct mistakes instantly."

The women's wrestling team stay in Indiana tonight, taking part in the Warrior Women's Wrestling Open tomorrow. The team's next dual match will come after the Winter break at home against Campbellsville on January 15.