FHSU Athletics
DES MOINES, Iowa – Fort Hays State Women's Wrestling had eight individuals place at the Grand View Open on Saturday (Feb. 7). Alexis Burton was champion of the 160 class in the gold division, continuing her hot surge over the last two weeks. Isabella Renfro, Nichole Moore, Leiannah Landreth, Kaylee Ricketts, Hayleen Martinez, Jade Blackhart, and Kaylan Hitchcock all placed in their respective classes.
Burton continued her strong performance of late at 160, blazing her way to a 4-0 day in the gold division. She recorded a tech fall, won on criteria in a decision, then recorded another decision before winning the championship by forfeit.
Isabella Renfro's run of remaining unbeaten on the season ended at 26 matches as she took her first loss of the season in the semifinals of the gold division to Naomi Simon of Iowa (wrestling unattached) after winning her first two matches of the day. Renfro, ranked No. 2 nationally in NCAA, picked up a win in the consolation side before calling it a day, placing fourth. She is now 27-1 overall for the season.
Nichole Moore had a strong day at 145 in the gold division, going 6-1 before having to bow out due to her match limit for the day. She placed fourth. Moore went 1-1 to start the day, but then reeled off five-straight tech falls in the consolation side of the bracket to reach the third-place match, which she could not compete in due to the limit.
Leiannah Landreth placed fifth at 117 in the gold division, going 3-2 for the day. She won her fifth-place match by tech fall, her second of the day, to go with a fall.
Kaylee Ricketts placed sixth at 160 in the gold division. She won a pair of matches by fall to reach the semifinals before eventually taking sixth.
In the silver division, Hayleen Martinez (180), Jade Blackhart (145), and Kaylan Hitchcock (145) all placed. Martinez picked up three wins by fall to reach the final, but lost by the same result in the final. Blackhart recorded four wins for the day, all of the bonus-point variety. Hitchcock recorded three wins for the day to take fifth, also all of the bonus-point variety.