BUFFALO, N.Y. – Heading into the postseason, the D'Youville University women's wrestling team will be traveling east to compete in the NCWWC Region 1 Championships Sunday morning at Elmira College.
"As a team and coaching staff, we have been intentional about focusing on the things we have control over- process and performance," said head coach
Carlene Sluberski. "We want to see our wrestlers go out and compete hard for six minutes, every single match. We want to see them stay disciplined in position and unfazed by the things outside of their control."
The team will be sending nine wrestlers to regionals and will work to punch their ticket to the national tournament in early March.
"Based on the pre-seeds for the region, we have two wrestlers that are ranked in the top four," Sluberski said. "Top four qualify for nationals. I just want to see them compete and wrestle hard- leaving everything they've got on the mat this weekend. I wholeheartedly believe that every single one of our wrestlers has the tools and ability to qualify, it's up to them to go earn their ticket."
About the Grapplers
Annika Lopez – 117 lbs.
Annika Lopez (San Antonio, Texas/San Antonio Johnson) has put in an overall record of 5-8 on the season and a record of 4-4 in the 117-pound class. On the year, Lopez has three falls.
Ollie Ridling – 117 lbs.
Ollie Ridling (San Antonio, Texas/Winston Churchill) will come into the tournament with an overall record of 6-11 on the year. Ridling has picked up a pair of falls throughout the year and earned a sixth-place finish at the John Carroll Open to close out the regular season.
Alexis Brua – 124 lbs.
Alexis Brua (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) finished the regular season with an 11-11 season. Of her 11 wins, six have come by way of fall. Brua also saw success to close out the regular season, placing third at the John Carroll Open.
Madison Wellen – 131 lbs.
Madison Wellen (East Berlin, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) is no stranger competing strong in the postseason, placing first a year ago at regionals in the 136-pound class. Wellen will bring in an overall record of 16-4 and a record of 8-2 at 131-pounds. Being ranked for the duration of the season within the region and cracking the Top-20 rankings in The Open Mat rankings, Wellen has eight wins via fall on the season. Wellen has gained momentum down the stretch of the season, winning her last five matches including the first-place match at the John Carroll Open.
Alessandra Elliott – 138 lbs.
Alessandra Elliott (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) brings in an overall record of 14-8 and a record of 10-6 in the 138-pound class. Also being ranked for the duration of the season in the region an cracking the Top-20 ranking in The Open mat Rankings, Elliott has a pair of wins via fall. Making her second regional appearance, Elliott finished the regular season with four straight wins and placing first at the John Carroll Open.
Saniyah Ward – 145 lbs.
Saniyah Ward (The Colony, Texas/The Colony) brings in an overall record of 13-7 and a record of 8-5 in the 145-pound class. Ward has also been ranked for the duration of the regular season within the region and making her second trip to regionals, has eight wins on the year via fall. Ward finished the regular season with three-straight wins and a first-place finish at the John Carroll Open.
Zoe Kip – 160 lbs.
Zoe Kip (Liberty, N.Y./Liberty) brings in an overall record of 7-11 and a record of 1-6 in the 160-pound class. Having been ranked within the region, Kip has two wins via fall on the year.
Riley Wentlent – 180 lbs.
Riley Wentlent (Cheektowaga, N.Y./Depew) brings in an overall record of 7-12 and a record of 7-8 in the 180-pound class. Returning to the regionals for a second time and having been ranked within the region, Wentlent has three falls on the season. Wentlent will look to carry her momentum, winning her last two matches of the regular season and placing third at the John Carroll Open.
Mackenzie Laforest – 207 lbs.
Mackenzie Laforest (Waverly, N.Y./Waverley) heads to regionals with a record of 6-8. Laforest, who has been ranked within the region, has three wins on the year via fall.
Action on Sunday will start at 10 a.m.
