The No. 2 Iowa women’s wrestling team had an outstanding weekend against a big opponent this weekend, picking up wins in both of its duals meets and crowning six champions at the Eagle Madness Open in Marietta, Georgia.
On Friday, Iowa dominated No. 11 Hastings with a 46-1 win. And the Hawkeyes took down top-ranked No. 1 Life in a much tighter dual meet, 30-14, the next day.
First-year Rianne Murphy opened the weekend with a win via forfeit at 103 pounds. Iowa quickly gained a 19-0 lead following two consecutive technical-fall victories from second-years Ava Bayless and Brianna Gonzalez at 110 and 117 pounds, respectively.
Iowa increased its lead to 19-0 after first-year Valarie Solorio picked up a win via forfeit at 124.
Iowa third-year Skye Realin defeated Larissa Katz by a 15-2 tech fall at 131 pounds. And second-year Nanea Estrella made her first appearance since 2023, when she suffered a season-ending injury, to pin Reagen Gallaway in just 1:57.
After falls for Ella Schmit, Rose Cassioppi, and Naomi Simon, third-year Katja Osteen wrapped up the dual for the Hawkeyes, pinning Taylor Rickley in just 21 seconds at 207 pounds to secure the 46-1 victory.
Back-to-back
About five hours later, Iowa returned to action, taking on No. 1 Life. The Hawkeyes were in no way at full strength, missing three Senior World medalists in Macey Kilty, Kennedy Blades, and Kylie Welker.
Murphy again opened the dual with another win at 103 pounds, securing a fall.
Life immediately responded by winning back-to-back matches at 110 and 117, where Bayless and first-year Valarie Solorio and Bayless lost.
The Hawkeyes got back on the board with a 12-3 Gonzalez victory over All-American Anna Krejsa at 124 pounds. Realin followed up with an impressive 45-second fall over Life’s two-time NAIA national finalist Sarah Savidge.
Iowa’s Estrella continued her impressive day with a 12-2 tech victory, followed by a 10-0 tech win from reigning national champion Reese Larramendy.
Life’s 10-0 victory over Rose Cassioppi kept things close, but Simon quieted the crowd with a fall over Ugochi Anunobi at 180 pounds.
Fourth-year Jaycee Foeller locked up the Iowa victory with a tight 3-2 victory over Maggie Graham, so the Hawkeyes took the highly anticipated matchup, 30-14.
On Saturday, Iowa continued to pour on success. Murphy at 103, Cali Lang at 124, Estrella at 138, Larramendy at 145, Simon at 180, and Foeller at 203 all finished first in their respective weight classes at the Eagle Madness Open.
All but one Iowa wrestler placed third or better in the tournament. Emmily Patneaud did not place at 131 pounds for the Hawkeyes, although Iowa had five tech falls through the first round with over 20 through the entire tournament.
Big picture
The Iowa women’s wrestling team has started hot this season, now 3-0 in duals, and has had 12 total champions through two tournaments.
Murphy was the star for the Hawkeyes this season, picking up two dual wins on Friday along with a first-place finish in what’s become a very strong beginning to the season.
Up next
The Iowa women’s wrestling team will look to continue its hot start with its home-opening dual meet against Cornell College on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.