Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The 5th ranked University of Providence suffered just one loss at the NAIA National Duals and finished fifth in the field. The Argo women went 4-1 over the course of the two-day duals against the top teams in the nation, losing only to third ranked Life University (Ga.).
The Argos started the duals Friday with a 33-14 win over No. 11 Iowa Wesleyan. Winners for Providence included the top ranked women's wrestler at 101-lb, Ira Navarro moving up a weight class to earn a Technical Fall (10-0). No. 1 ranked Ashley Gooman continued her great season with a TF over No. 14 Faith Cole at 116-lb. Alicia Frank picked up a fall in 52 seconds at 123-lb. At 143-lb, Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp won at 1:56 by fall, Sadie Antoque was a winner by TF at 155-lb. Ira Navarro and Jolette Miner-Ho won by forfeit.
Later Friday, the Argos battled No. 3 Life University, falling 33-10 as only No. 2 Erin Hikiji won at 101-lb., and 4th ranked Estrella-Beauchamp won at 143-lb. The number one wrestler in the NAIA at 101-lb., Ira Navarro moved up a weight class falling to No. 1 Peyton Prussian at 109-lb., by Tech Fall.
Saturday saw the Argos knock off Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 32-16 highlighted by wins by Ira Navarra, Ashley Poe-Hatten, Gooman, Alicia Frank, Estrella-Beauchamp, and Alexis Tupuola. Providence beat No. 7 Indiana Tech 30-15 behind Navarro, Hikiji, Gooman, Gabbie Parini, Paige Respicio, Estrella-Beauchamp, and Antoque. The Argos defeated 9th ranked Texas Wesleyan in the 5th place match 25-22 as Hikiji, Gooman, Estrella-Beauchamp, Antoque, Dylan Huddy and Tupuola picked up wins.
Head Coach Matt Atwood was happy with the team's performance, "We wrestled a great dual against a very tough Iowa Wesleyan first round, won some big matches there, lost some tough ones but overall, very pleased.
"Life University dual was a little more frustrating, we were winning in multiple matches and didn't finish the match, gave up way too many pins and that cost us the opportunity at a potential national title!"
"Indiana Tech was a team we knew was going to be a tough one to win, but our girls wrestled outstanding, including Ira taking out #4, Erin bumping up a weight class and beating #3 in the country at 109, and Waipuilani pinning #8.
Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp finished the weekend 5-0 with four pins against ranked opponents, Hikiji also was 4-0 including the win at 109-lb.
Atwood added that this was great preparation for the rest of the season, "Overall very happy with the girls! Going 4-1 against the best teams in the country is a huge deal. I hope they understand how close they were to a national title and come back strong this week for our dual with Southern Oregon who is currently #1 and National Dual champs."
"Another weekend where I'm extremely proud they let me tag along and watch them compete!"
The Argos will wrestle next Saturday at the Southern Oregon Duals in Ashland, Oregon.
