Warriors Compete at Missouri Valley Open, Avila Finishes Eighth

MARSHALL, Mo. — The Midland University women's wrestling team competed in the two-day Missouri Valley Open at the Burns Athletic Center on Friday and Saturday. Six Warriors took part in the event, highlighted by an eighth-place finish from Macy Avila at 138 pounds.

Avila, ranked No. 9 in the latest NAIA 138-pound rankings, opened with a 12-1 technical fall over Ava Ward (Missouri Valley). She followed with another technical fall, 12-2, against Ariyanah Parson (Cumberlands) and then defeated Sophia Antonio (Tiffin) by technical fall, 13-3, for her third straight win. Avila dropped her quarterfinal bout to Skye Realin (Iowa) by technical fall, 12-2. In the consolation bracket, she bounced back with a fall over Kaylynn Lairson (Tarleton State) in 1:03 before forfeiting her final two matches to Jacinda Espinosa (Lindenwood) and No. 10 Aileen Lester (Ottawa).

Andrea Frisque also competed at 138 pounds and went 0-2. After a first-round bye, she lost by fall to Joy Jackson (Schreiner) in 1:06 and then fell to Isabella Campbell (Montreat) by a 7-5 decision.

At 110 pounds, Destiny Castillo advanced through two byes before losing to Gabriele Tedesco (McKendree) by fall in 58 seconds. She was later defeated by Kelsey Loeun (Simon Fraser) by technical fall, 10-0.

Eny Bravo competed at 131 pounds, losing to Daizy Gomez (Friends) and Nicole Martens (Waldorf), both by 10-0 technical fall.

Ja'Nya Banks wrestled at 160 pounds. After a first-round bye, she lost to Celine Cooke (Colorado Mesa) by technical fall, 10-0. Banks led Paige Strauch (Avila) but was ultimately pinned at 4:41.

At 117 pounds, No. 19 Taylor Hood lost to Flavia Nagatani (Adams State) by fall at 1:46 and then fell to No. 11 Yusneiri Agrazal (Central Methodist) by technical fall, 10-0.

Midland will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 2, when the Warriors host Morningside in a Great Plains Athletic Conference dual at the Wikert Event Center. Action begins at 5 p.m.