Larissa Kaz/Women's Wrestling | Hastings College
Larissa Kaz/Women's Wrestling | Hastings College
After winning its first conference title in school history, the Hastings College women's wrestling team made history once again bringing home its first ever All-American from nationals this past weekend.
Larissa Kaz began her historic run as the No. 9 seed at 123 and defeated Elizabeth Duvall of Texas Wesleyan via an 18-8 tech fall which set up a familiar foe. In the round of 16, Kaz took on Arianna Maruffo of Jamestown. She lost to Maruffo in the KCAC championship bout but got her revenge at nationals picking up the tough 4-2 victory. This matched her up against top seed Carolina Moreno and was the first period an exciting one. Moreno jumped out to a quick lead but Kaz battled back to make it 8-5 where she threw Moreno on her back to take a 9-8 lead into the second period. Unfortunately, Moreno took the lead right back and eventually won the match 20-10 sending Kaz into the consolation bracket. She was up against Olivia Mottley from Life University as this match was critical as the winner would become an All-American. It only took 1:36 for Kaz to get Mottley on her back for the pinfall victory. She would end up getting injured in the 7th place match but did become the first women's wrestler to become an All-American in school history.
Tabitha Wood (136) would pick up her first win at nationals by defeating Maryellen Lafferty of Texas Wesleyan before bowing out of the tournament to No. 3 seed Paige Respicio of University of Providence. Wood just missed out on All-American honors.
At 143, Lisa Hoeflich won her first match on Friday by defeating Niah Smith of Waldorf before dropping a tough 4-0 match against No. 5 Aniseta Acosta of Missouri Valley in the round of 16. She unfortunately ran into Acosta again in the consolation bracket where she bowed out of the tournament in a 12-8 defeat. Kaydince Turner lost her first match but did pick up a 10-1 win over Morgan Shines of Eastern Oregon and then defeated Migdayls Ramos of Brewton Parker. Turner then bowed out when she lost to Josette Partney of Missouri Baptist 9-0 as both just missed out on All-American honors.
Taylor Rickley (170) began her tournament with a 4-2 victory over Morgan Senior of Wayland Baptist. This pitted her against No. 3 Abby Mcintyre of Grand View where she lost a tough match 4-0. She ended her tournament with a loss to Avery Ackerman of Saint Mary 10-0 in the consolation bracket.
Hastings finished the tournament in 19th place with 23 points.
Original source can be found here
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