GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's wrestling program moved up two spots to #12 in the nation as a team in the latest NAIA National Rankings.

A total of seven Argo wrestlers were ranked in the Top 20 in their individual weight class, which helped the team move up the polls. Three Argos are ranked in the Top 5 – Ivy Navarro remains the #1 wrestler in the 101 lb. weight class, Paige Respicio is ranked #4 at 136 lbs. and Ashley Gooman is ranked #5 in the 116 lb. weight class.

"It's an improvement," head coach Matt Atwood said. "We've continued to climb every ranking. We still have a handful of girls that aren't in the rankings that I think can compete at that level. Some of the girls that are in the rankings I think are better than they're ranked. We have a big opportunity coming up that I hope we take advantage of."

The Argos have one last tournament before the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament on Feb. 27 when the team travels to Iowa for the Grand View Open, which will begin Feb. 5. 

"There are 42 teams in that tournament," Atwood said. "All these teams that have girls ranked above us in the rankings, we will see next weekend. We'll see where we stand. We'll have the opportunity to make moves where we need to."
 
Ivy Navarro #1 (101 lbs.)
Navarro retains the top-spot in the 101 lb. weight class, a position that she has held all season long. She has won both her matches so far in the new year to bring her to 8-1 on the season, and is preparing for a deep postseason run.

"Ivy has been rock solid for us all season long," Atwood said. "From the first match on she's proven to everyone that she's one of the best wrestlers in the country. She can beat anybody in her weight class and she's proven that all year long."

Paige Respicio #4 (136 lbs.)
Respicio moved up one spot since the last NAIA rankings, after dominating her two opponents at the National Duals. She has amassed a record of 11-4 on the season and has recorded three pins on the year.

"Paige hasn't really seen any of the girls above her yet," Atwood said. "She lost to one of those girls early on. I'd like to see them wrestle again because I think Paige gets her."

Ashley Gooman #5 (116 lbs.)
Gooman also has had a dominant start to the new year, winning her two matches handily at the National Duals. She leads the team in pins with five, and has a 15-2 record so far on the year.

"Ashley has been dominant this year," Atwood said. "We're not worried about her ranking because we all know that she can be a finalist."

Ira Navarro #11 (101 lbs.)
Navarro didn't get a chance to compete at the National Duals, which slid her down three spots to #11. Despite the slide, Navarro is still getting respect from coaching staffs from across the country.

"Ira dropped to 11^th with no recent losses," Atwood said. "We know that she's competitive with anyone in the country. We hope that she's wrestling her sister in the final."

Lana Hunt #13 (109 lbs.)
Hunt opened the new year with a big win in her first match in the National Duals, before getting injured in the second match. She has a record of 6-5 on the season and has recorded three pins.

"Lana's been pretty consistent," Atwood said. "We've lost come close matches with some girls we needed to beat to move up the rankings. She's constantly improving so I like our chances moving forward."

Lexi Tupuola #14 (191 lbs.)
Tupuola has been battling injuries all season, but when she's been wrestling she's been fairly dominant. She has amassed a record of 4-6 on the year and has pinned two opponents this year.

"Lexi has been battling some injuries. We'll see how the season finishes up for her. She's got the potential to climb."

Morgan Mackey #18 (143 lbs.)
Mackey is ranked in her weight class for the first time this season. Having to sit out earlier in the season due to injury, the coaching staff believes she is just now beginning to wrestle at full confidence.

"Morgan is just now finding her stride," Atwood said. "She started the season with an injury. She's getting more confident in her attacks and getting back in shape. She's improving every day."