GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The #14 University of Providence women's wrestling team will compete in one of the biggest tournaments of their season this weekend when they wrestle at the Missouri Valley Invite. The two-day event will begin Friday at 8:00 a.m. MTN in Marshall, Mo.

"It's a huge tournament," head coach Matt Atwood said. "This tournament historically has featured some really good talent from the NCAA, NAIA and junior college levels. The best of the best will all be there."

The team is coming off a successful opening weekend at the Maverick Open in Grand Junction, Colo. Ashley Gooman, Ira Navarro and Ivy Navarro all had dominant weekends; Gooman raced through the competition, winning the 116 lb. weight class while the Navarro sisters both cruised through the 101 lb. weight class, double forfeiting in the championship to each other. Gooman's performance earned her the CCC Wrestler of the Week. 

Lana Hunt also a solid weekend, finishing second in the 109 lb. weight class. Sabrina Perez (191 lbs.) and Paige Respicio (130 lbs.) both finished third in their respective weight classes.

"I saw a lot of good things in Colorado," Atwood said. "There are a lot of techniques that we needed to clean up a little bit. I thought the effort was there for sure."

The coaching staff has spent the week fine-tuning those technique issues, but the main priority has been working on adjusting the team's mindset during each match.

"Going forward this week we're focusing less on the pressure of winning and more on the focus of scoring points," Atwood said. "We're trying to have fun and score as many points as possible, and not worry about the outcome. Yesterday's practice was the best practice we've had all year. The girls are really focused."