King Athletics
Travis Chell
BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University women’s wrestling team remains on top of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll in the latest release. King has 15 individuals ranked, including one at each weight class, led by Ana Luciano who is ranked first at 136 pounds.
The Tornado are ranked first with 102 points, ahead of second-ranked McKendree University who has 85 points. North Central College (71 points) and Simon Fraser University (63 points) are third and fourth, respectively. There is a tie for the fifth spot with 48 points between Colorado Mesa University and Augsburg College.
Luciano remains in the top spot at 136 pounds as she is still undefeated on the season. She is 10-0 with five pins and three technical fall victories.
At 101 pounds, Jaclyn McNichols jumps up to the second spot. She is 10-1 on the season with two wins over ranked opponents and four wins via technical fall.
Danielle Garcia holds at seventh at 109 pounds as she is 7-4 this season with three wins by technical fall.
The Tornado have two ranked at 116 pounds, Sage Mortimer and Samara Chavez who are ranked second and fifth, respectively. Mortimer has two individual titles this year and was selected NWCA Regional and National Wrestler of the Month in November. She owns a 10-0 record this year with four wins over ranked foes, four by technical fall and three via pin. Chavez is ranked for the first time in her career as she is 7-3 on the season with six pins and two wins over ranked opponents.
At 123 pounds, Cheyenne Sisenstein moves up to second while Vayle-Rae Baker is ranked fourth. Sisenstein is 8-0 this year, taking three wins by technical fall and four by pin. Baker boasts an 8-2 mark this year, earning four wins by technical fall and three by pin.
Following her performance at the North Central Open, Montana DeLawder jumped teammate Phoenix Dubose at 130 pounds. DeLawder comes in at third while Dubose is fourth in the latest rankings. DeLawder owns a mark of 13-1, including nine pins. She has three wins by technical fall and two victories over ranked opponents. Dubose is 8-2 on the year, taking five wins by technical fall.
The Tornado have two individuals ranked at 143 pounds, led by Ashlynn Ortega at second. She is 3-1 this season, defeating one ranked opponent, earning two wins by technical fall and one via pin. London Houston moves up one spot to fifth in the latest rankings as she is 6-3 on the year. She has taken five wins by technical fall and one by pin.
Tiffany Baublitz jumps into the rankings for the first time at 155 pounds as she is ranked fifth, one spot ahead of Viktorya Torres who is sixth. Baublitz boasts a 12-4 mark this season, defeating two ranked opponents and taking seven wins by pin. Torres is 9-4 this season, defeating two ranked foes and earning five pins and three technical falls.
Chey Bowman moves up the 170-pound rankings is she is ranked third in the latest rankings. The freshman owns an 11-2 record with five wins by pin and four by technical fall. She has also defeated three ranked opponents.
Nia Crosdale is ranked fifth at 191 pounds with her 14-3 record. She has taken five wins by technical fall and five more by pin.
The Tornado are scheduled to be in action again on December 30 at the Midlands Invitational in Hoffman Estates, Ill. before traveling to the NWCA National Duals on January 6-7 in Louisville, Ky.