By: Nick Pope
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Life University women's wrestling team showcased their dominance at the Mid-South Conference Championship, securing multiple individual titles and claiming the team championship in convincing fashion.
The Running Eagles delivered an outstanding performance, amassing 221.5 points to secure the title, outpacing the University of the Cumberlands (159 points) and Lindsey Wilson (146 points). Campbellsville University (142 points) and Indiana Tech (126 points) rounded out the top five.
After the tournament, the Mid-South named Anaya Falcon the Mid-South Wrestler of the Year.
Life U's success was led by several champions, including Katherine Hernandez (103 lbs), Anaya Falcon (110 lbs), Salyna Shotwell (117 lbs), Sarah Savidge (131 lbs), Zaynah McBryde (138 lbs), Jamilah McBryde (145 lbs), and Latifah McBryde (160 lbs). Other top placers included Olivia Mottley (2nd, 131 lbs), Savannah Isaac (2nd, 207 lbs), Reka Busa (4th, 180 lbs), and Anna Krejsa (4th, 124 lbs).
At 103 lbs, Katherine Hernandez kicked off her tournament with a tech fall in just 1:31 before pinning her semifinal opponent in 1:03. She closed out the event with a dominant 14-3 tech fall in the finals.
At 110 lbs, Anaya Falcon remained undefeated, showcasing her dominance with a first-period pin, a tech fall, and a hard-fought 4-4 decision victory in the finals to claim the title.
At 117 lbs, Salyna Shotwell was unstoppable, pinning her way through the bracket, including a pair of first-period falls. She capped off her championship run with a decisive 35-second pin in the finals.
At 131 lbs, Sarah Savidge put together a commanding performance, securing two quick tech falls and a semifinal pin before edging out teammate Olivia Mottley in a close 6-5 decision to take first place. Mottley also had an impressive run, reaching the finals with two decision victories and a tech fall.
At 138 lbs, Zaynah McBryde was in top form, rolling through her bracket with three tech falls before sealing the title with an 8-0 decision over Lindsey Wilson's Kori Campbell.
At 145 lbs, Jamilah McBryde controlled her matches with two tech falls and a first-period pin, securing the championship with a dominant fall in just 48 seconds.
At 160 lbs, Latifah McBryde was relentless, earning back-to-back tech falls before claiming first place via forfeit in the finals.
At 207 lbs, Savannah Isaac powered through her first two matches with a pair of falls before finishing second after a tough championship bout.
At 180 lbs, Reka Busa and at 124 lbs, Anna Krejsa battled their way to fourth-place finishes. Ariana Martinez also battled through the tough 124 lbs bracket to earn 5th.
The Running Eagles now turn their attention to the Annual NAIA Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, where they will send 12 wrestlers to compete for national titles.
