Ortega and Petix are U23 National Champions

King Athletics
Frank Morgan, Athletic Communications Assistant

OMAHA, Neb. – The King University women’s wrestling team traveled to Nebraska this weekend to compete in the Junior and U23 National Championship. Six wrestlers represented the Tornado in the Junior Championship Friday and twelve Saturday in the U23 Championship. Twelve of the thirteen who wrested Saturday landed on the podium and five made the finals. Allison Petix and Ashlynn Ortega walked away this weekend with first place finishes and qualification for the 2021 Senior World Team Trials.

King’s Allison Petix and Ashlynn Ortega. Photo courtesy King Sports Info.

In the Junior competition, Samantha Larsen went 1-2 Friday at the 50kgs with a 10-2 win over Warrior Wrestling Club.

At 53kgs, Sophia Mirabella made a statement Friday. After a tough first round loss she wrestles all the way back with four consecutive victories to take sixth. She finished 5-3 on the day.

Also at 53kgs, Melanie Mendoza picks up three wins to find the podium at seventh place. Among these wins was a 10-0 technical fall in her favor.

Phoenix Dubose had a strong showing in the 59kg weight class where she would also finish the day 3-2 with a fifth place finish. Two of the three wins were perfect 10-0 tech falls

At 65kgs, Viktorya Torres led the way with a fourth place finish, going 2-2. Both of her victories were 10-0 tech falls

RESULTS BY WEIGHT CLASS – Junior
50kgs – Samantha Larsen 1-2; Johanna Palshan 0-2
53kgs – Sophia Mirabella 5-3, 6^th; Melanie Mendoza 3-2, 7^th
57kgs – Phoenix Dubose 3-2, 5^th
65kgs – Viktorya Torres 2-2, 4^th

In the U23 competition, Aleeah Gould had a strong showing at 50kgs where she finished 3^rd and won five matches. She was not scored on a single time until her fifth match.

Jaclyn McNichols also found the podium this weekend at 50kgs by going 4-2 and taking 7^th.

At 53kgs, Cheyenne Sisenstein steam rolled to the finals but came up just short. She finished the day 3-1 as she lost a close decision in her last match.

At 55kgs, Allison Petix had a stellar day by taking first and qualifying for the 2021 Senior World Team Trials. She only allowed 2 points scored en route to her finals match and finished the day 4-0.

Also at 55kgs, the Tornado filled the podium with Mirabella, Mendoza and Welch, each taking 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th, respectively.

At 62kgs, Ana Luciano began the day very strong as she demolished two opponents with 10-0 technical fall victories. Unfortunately the finals got the best of her and she finishes second.

Phoenix Dubose and Alyssa Aceval also grabbed medals in the 62kg weight class with Dubose finishing 3^rd and Aceval 7^th.

At 65kgs Ashlynn Ortega and Viktorya Torres found themselves head to head in their finals match. Ortega would win this one and became the second Tornado to qualify for next year’s Senior World Team Trials. Throughout the entire tournament Ortega was not scored on a single time

RESULTS BY WEIGHT CLASS – U23
50kgs – Aleeah Gould 5-1, 4^th Jaclyn McNichols 4-2, 8^th; Samantha Larsen 1-2
53kgs – Cheyenne Sisenstein 3-1, 2^nd
55kgs – Allison Petix 4-0, 1^st; Sophia Mirabella 4-1, 4^th; Melanie Mendoza 3-2, 5^th; McKayla Welch 3-2, 7^th
62kgs – Ana Luciano 3-1, 2^nd; Phoenix Dubose 3-2, 6^th; Alyssa Aceval 3-2, 7^th
65kgs – Ashlynn Ortega 4-0 1^st; Viktorya Torres 3-1, 2^nd

The Women’s Wrestling Team next hosts Tiffin at home on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. Action is set to begin at 10 a.m.