MARQUETTE, Mich. - After three competitions in three days last weekend, the Northern Michigan women's wrestling team returns to action this weekend, taking on Grand Valley State in duals.
The Wildcats and Lakers will hit the mat on Saturday, November 16 at 6 p.m. from the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.
In its first year as a varsity sport at Grand Valley, this will mark the inaugural home dual for the Lakers.
Follow The Action
Follow @nmu_wrestling on Instagram for updates leading up to and after the event.
Saturday, November 16 - at Grand Valley at 6 p.m.
Watch
Last Time Out
The Wildcats finished in 12th place of 29 competing teams at last Sunday's Adrian Invite.
Freshman
Sophia Bassino highlighted the tournament for the Wildcats, finishing in third place in the battle at 160. She started off with a win by fall over Janiya Brogan (West Liberty University) (Fall 2:13). She then made quick work of Jacqueline Sandquist (Gannon) (Fall 0:34) to advance to the quarterfinal.
Bassino continued her push, winning by tech fall over Paige Jackson (Lock Haven University) (TF-1.5 3:44 (10-0)). She would fall in the semifinal by fall to Destiny Rodriguez (unattached) (Fall 1:11), but bounced back in the consolation semifinal with a victory over Lizzie Raleigh (North Central College)(Fall 1:22).
She finished it off with a win in the 3rd place match, winning by fall over Tiera Jimerson (North Central College) (Fall 2:47).
In the bout at 145,
Alissa Caltagirone (9-4) placed 6th and scored 11.0 team points. She won by fall over Tayla Tildsley (Sacred Heart University)(Fall 1:32). In the quarterfinal, she won by decision over Sarina Bertram (North Central College) (Dec 6-0) to move on, but would fall in the semifinal to Eduarda Batista (unattached) by tech fall (TF-1.5 2:55 (15-4)).
Six other Wildcats contributed to the team's score total of 53.5 points.
Northern also competed in three duals last weekend, defeating Alma 40-16, D'Youville 36-6, and narrowly falling to Sacred Heart 27-21.
About the 'Cats
- Yu Sakamoto is ranked 6th in the 117 weight class, by The Open Mat. She recently earned the world champion title at the U23 World Championships in Albania.
- Zhivanna Magdaleno slots in at 9th in the 124 weight class while Alissa Caltagirone is ranked 15th at 145 and Sophia Bassino is 15th at 160. Ozioma Ogu is also ranked, slotting in at 20th at 207.
- As a team, Northern Michigan is ranked 15th in tournament rankings and 16th in team dual rankings.
- Northern enters its 4th season as a program in 2024-25.
- NMU has ten regional top-5 finishes, with Diana Dzasezava winning in 2023.
- The program has produced two All-Americans and 12 Scholar All-Americans over its three-year history.
- Tony DeAnda was named the Regional Coach of the Year in 2023.
