FHSU Athletics
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Fort Hays State University women's wrestling team closed out their weekend of competition at the NWCA/USMC National Duals on Saturday (Jan. 10). The No. 9 ranked Tigers earned a commanding 38-7 win over West Liberty before falling just short in a 25–21 battle against No. 8 ranked Emmanuel University. The Tigers are now 5-3 overall in dual action for the season.
#9 Fort Hays State 38, West Liberty 7
Fort Hays State opened Saturday's action by matching its largest dual margin of victory this season, winning by 31 over West Liberty. The Tigers won nine of ten matches and piled up bonus points in the 38-7 victory.
The Tigers set the tone early with four straight bonus‑point wins. Jaidyn Alvarado (103) opened the dual with a fall in 1:38, followed by a 10‑0 tech fall from Isabella Cross (110). No. 8 ranked Leiannah Landreth (117) added an 18‑7 tech fall, and Morgan Maschmann (124) delivered another 10‑0 tech fall to push FHSU out to a 17-1 lead.
After West Liberty earned its lone win at 131 by fall, the Tigers closed the dual with five consecutive victories. Ashlynn Goodwin (138) secured a fall in 2:13, Nichole Moore (145) added an 11‑0 tech fall, and Marissa Porsch (160) followed with a pin in 2:34. No. 1 ranked Isabella Renfro (180) continued her dominant season with a 10‑0 tech fall, and Hailey Conley (207) sealed the dual with a 2‑1 decision.
#8 Emmanuel 25, #9 Fort Hays State 21
In their final match of the weekend, the Tigers battled Emmanuel University in a matchup of top-10 ranked teams that came down to the final bout. Despite winning five matches of nine matches contested, FHSU fell 25–21 after Emmanuel capitalized on early bonus‑point opportunities.
The Tigers had to climb out of a hole at the start as Emmanuel jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Being open at 103 was a big decisive factor in the team result even though the Tigers almost made up for the tough start. The Lions had a pin at 110 and then No. 3 ranked Karissa Turnwall scored a tech fall over No. 8 ranked Leiannah Landreth in a battle of ranked wrestlers. Down 6-0 to start, Morgan Maschmann (124) put an end to the early run by the Lions with a comeback 7-6 win.
After another Emmanuel tech fall at 131 put the score at 19-4, the Tigers surged back with four straight wins. Peyton Hellmann (138) rolled to a 12‑2 tech fall, Nichole Moore (145) followed with a 12‑1 tech fall, and Dylen Ritchey (160) delivered a huge fall at 5:55, just before time expired, to pull FHSU within striking distance at 21-17.
No. 1 ranked Isabella Renfro (180) continued the run with a 13‑3 tech fall, moving to 22-0 on the season and it brought the Tigers within one point at 22-21. However, Emmanuel secured the dual with a 7-0 decision in the final match of the day at 207.
Up next
The Tigers return home to host their final two duals of the season on Sunday, January 18, when they welcome Sioux Falls and Colorado Mesa. The tri-dual is set to start at 12 p.m.