YORK, Neb. – The Colorado Mesa women's wrestling team competed for the first time in 2022 on Saturday (Jan. 15) as they competed at the York College Women's Open. The Mavericks came away with six student-athletes that placed in the top four including one champion.
The lone Colorado Mesa champion on the day came from freshman
Tatum Heikkila who claimed the 170-pound title after defeating Sierra Talmadge of Jamestown 6-0 in the final bout. The Aberdeen, Wash. native completed the solid day as she opened with a 14-3 technical fall win over Danielle Saldiver of Missouri Valley College followed by a 10-0 technical fall win over Aalyah Villareal of Texas Wesleyan.
The semifinal bout wound up being the closest match of her day as she defeated Nikita Dhaliwal of Menlo 4-0 as she recorded two points in each period. Heikkila is now 9-3 on the season and now has a little redemption for her early exit from the tournament in California prior to the break.
Jolynn Harris was the runner-up at 136 pounds after reaching the finals match at the weight. Harris earned technical victories over Emma Mielke of Jamestown and Ryleigh Dye of Chadron State to reach the semifinals. She earned an 11-6 win over Gianna Moreno of Missouri Valley College.
At 116 pounds,
Anja Tschohl placed third after a come-from-behind win in the third-place match. Trailing 11-2 heading into the second period, Tschohl scored a four-point takedown and wound up pinning her opponent Emily Ferguson for third place. The Andover, Kan. native fell in her semifinal but rebounded with a narrow 12-11 win over Ajayzee Zaballos of Menlo.
Claire DiCugno finished third at 130 pounds after reaching the semifinals and falling to Nanea Estrella of Menlo College. The Lake Tapps, Wash. native came back to defeat former Maverick
Cindy Zepeda of Menlo by technical fall then a 10-0 tech fall win over JoAnna Vanderwood of Iowa Wesleyan to claim third place.
Jayleen Sekona took the long way to claim third place at 191 pounds. Sekona fell in her first bout of the day to eventual champion Kelani Corbett of Lyon College, but then won three straight to claim third. She defeated Kelly Lacost of Jamestown 11-2 in her final matchup of the day.
Grand Junction native Kaylee Haynes finished fourth at 143 pounds after falling to Menlo's Gracie Figueroa in the third-place match.
Colorado Mesa will be back in action next Friday as they take on Chadron State in a dual in Brownson Arena. The night will also serve as senior night for the Mavericks as they will honor their seniors prior to the dual.
