Wrestling | 1/9/2023 1:14:00 AM

HASTINGS, Neb. (Jan. 8, 2023) - In an epic weekend filled with victories, Texas Woman's wrestling rose to the occasion in a tri-dual win over Hastings College and Friends University. The Pioneers closed out the monumental weekend by claiming seven top ten finishes at the Bronco Open. 
 
Saturday night the Pioneers took to the mat in a tri-dual that yielded a double victory for TWU. Competing against the Broncos, Mercedes Nerios (116) claimed five points due to forfeit. Followed by Poorna Babu (143), Jermariah Ferguson (155) and Nari Miller (170) who each totaled five points over their opponents. 
 
In a technical fall, Laisha Rios (130) defeated Brianna Miller of Hastings for four points. Adding four points of her own to the board, Faith Perez (191) recorded a technical fall to bring home the win for the Pioneers 28-20.
 
Riddled with forfeits, Friends tallied forfeits against Mackenzie Peterson (109), Ashlee Rice (123), Chanya Tipmanee (130), and Miller for five points each. 
 
In a fall over Kennedy Harris, Nerios put up five points against her opponent. Brooke Zejda (136) and Perez each totaled five points in a decisive second dual for the Pioneers 35-10.
 
Riding the momentous high from Saturday night's tri-dual, the Pioneers took the Bronco Open by storm. Seven Pioneers placed top ten in their weight class, with two 12th place finishes to seal the deal. 
 
Miller displayed true grit, after competing in five rounds before taking to the mat in the semifinals against Kamila Montenegro of Chadron State. The match was decided 3-0 in favor of Miller. 
 
In the first place match against Autumn Perez of Umpqua Community College, Miller was crowned the first place champion of the 170 weight class in a 5-3 decision. 
 
Several Pioneers placed in their respective weight classes including Peterson (109)  in sixth, Nerios (116)  in seventh, Zejda (136) in fifth, Kira Phillips (136) in fourth, Poorna Babu (143) in fourth, and Zanya Walker (143) in eighth.
 
Samantha Simonette (170) and Kylee Spearman (170) each placed 12th to close out the Pioneers victorious weekend win.
 
"The team is finding their confidence on the mat and their unique individual styles are starting to show through," Head Wrestling coach Randi Miller said. "I'm very proud of them and can't wait to see how this season will unfold." 
 
The Pioneers are back home for the Texas Women's Open on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. against University of the Ozarks and Texas Wesleyan.