Life University Athletics

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA — After last year's third place finish, the Life University women's wrestling team returns to the pedestal and reclaims the title after securing this year's NWCA NAIA National Dual Championship over No. 2 Menlo.

Beginning their appearance with a match against #10 Missouri Baptist, the Running Eagles fell behind after getting pinned at 101 lbs. At 109, Diana Gonzalez got things going with a stellar opening period, jumping ahead to an 8-0 lead before ultimately pinning her opponent in the first frame.  After a tech fall at 116, Sophie Sarver got the team back on track with a win via fall, pinning her opponent in the second period after gaining a 12-4 lead.

At 130 lbs, Riley Dalrymple made the most of her only appearance in the tournament earning a 10-6 decision. Following Dalrymple, Zaynah McBryde picked up another decision in favor of Life U before Jamilah McBryde earned a tech fall. After that, Latifah McBryde pinned her opponent at 155 lbs.

With just two bouts to go, and the team result decided, Margaret Graham delivered a pin in the 170 lbs. match before Madeline Welch earned a second period fall at 191 lbs.  Overall, the Running Eagles ran away with the dual 36-10.

After winning the opening dual against Missouri Baptist, the Running Eagles were then matched up in the quarterfinals against #12 University of the Cumberlands.

Much like the dual earlier in the day, the Running Eagles were again dominant in their second match. Opening at 101, Devyn Gomez got things going with a decision over Angelina Casteneda. After the 9-7 decision, the Running Eagles kept things going with an upset win at 109 lbs as #5 Diana Gonzalez won via tech fall in the first period over #3 Elizabeth Dosado. Cumberlands then followed with a win at 116 lbs.

At 123 lbs, Sophie Sarver earned another tech fall upset, downing her ranked opponent 10-0. Next, at 130 lbs Sarah Savidge began her impressive showing with a quick first period 10-0 tech fall. Z. McBryde followed with a tech fall of her own before the only loss of the dual was unfortunate as Jamilah McBryde carried a 5-1 lead into the second period before getting caught on the wrong of a takedown, losing via pin.

Next up, the Running Eagles got back on track with bonus points as L. McBryde was unstoppable, earning  pair of takedowns before ultimately pinning her opponent. Graham continued the trend with a tech fall, again against an unranked foe, 15-4. At 191, the University of the Cumberlands won via forfeit.

On day two, the Running Eagles began competition in the semifinals against #4 University of Providence. At 101 lbs, the Running Eagles fell behind early after a tech fall. After the UP tech fall, Diana Gonzalez got things going and held her rank, earning a 13-10 decision over her opponent. The Running Eagles then got another decision at 116 lbs as Ariana Martinez held on for a 12-5 decision. The University of Providence then gained the overall lead at 123 after a pin.

Down five points, the Running Eagles again relied on the middle of the pack to garner points as three imperative wins were earned at 130, 136, and 143 lbs.

Beginning at 130, Savidge was again sensational, earning an 10-0 tech fall over the #7 wrestler in the weight class. Z. McBryde then dominated her matchup to earn another tech fall (over 130 lbs #8) before the eldest McBryde followed with a 15-4 tech fall of her own at 143 lbs. Latifah McBryde was then pinned at 155 lbs. in an upset defeat, but the Running Eagles maintained control of the match and earned a tech fall from Graham and a major from Welch.

In the championship against #2 Menlo the Running Eagles were down early after dropping an upset at 101. Diana Gonzalez then got things going for Life U with a super quick pin over her foe in the first round. A closely-fought battle at 116 lbs saw Ariana Martinez control the first round with four points before ultimately losing the bout after a takedown in the final seven seconds of the second period saw the lead flip in favor of Menlo. An ensuing unsuccessful challenge further separated the competitors, eventually leading to Martinez's 6-4 loss via decision. Life U then lost the matchup at 123 lbs, conceding a pin and setting up a 12-12 scoreline heading into the fifth bout.

At 130 lbs, Savidge finished her impressive National Duals run with one final pin, also in the first period. Z. McBryde followed suit with a dominant first period, earning four takedowns before ultimately pinning her ranked foe just before the end of the opening period.

Following Zaynah's pin, Jamilah McBryde also earned bonus points, this time earning a tech fall over Desiree Jones in the second period. At 155, L. McBryde followed with a controlled win by decision, conceding a point in the first period before closing out the bout 8-1. 

Now 24-13, and the team result decided, Maggie Graham and Welch fell in their bouts. 

In the end, the Running Eagles outscored their opponents 116-65 over the two days and joined the men's wrestling program as the first collegiate duo to be simultaneously crowned as both NWCA National Dual Champions.