Americano Places Third, Women’s Wrestling Competes in 2024 MVC Open

MARSHALL, Mo. - In a tournament that features over 50 teams and 700 wrestlers, Baker women's wrestling traveled to Marshall, Mo. this weekend to compete in the 2024 Missouri Valley Open, the nation's largest women's collegiate wrestling tournament.

Emmale Americano came away with a third-place showing in the 235-pound bracket with pins in her final two matches, including a takedown in the placement match against Morningside's Melissa De La Torre who was an NAIA national qualifier last year.

Fellow freshman Hailee Crosland racked up four wins in a competitive field at 145 pounds with all but one of her victories coming on a pin. After falling in her first match of the tournament, she bounced back with four straight wins to advance to the second day where she eventually bowed out, finishing two matches short of earning a placement finish.

Audrey Darnell also tallied four wins wrestling in the 138-pound division with a pin in her first bout and then adding a second one against an NCAA Division II wrestler to advance to the sixth round of the consolation bracket.

The Wildcats had six other wrestlers record at least two wins at the MVC meet with Kinzie Rogers (110), Katherine Heath (117), Kadynce Axelson (124), Zoey Freeman (124), Aileya Sath (131) and Morgan Tadlock (160) all picking up a pair of victories, while Nevaeh Wardlow had three wins at 180 pounds. Both Wardlow and Sath reached the fifth round of their respective consolation brackets.

With Thanksgiving Break this week, Baker will enjoy a little time off before returning for a pair of competitions the following week with a dual at Grand View on Dec. 4 in Des Moines, Iowa, followed by the Doane Open on Dec. 7 in Crete, Neb.

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