Wrestling | 11/3/2024 12:54:00 PM
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (Nov. 3, 2024) – The Texas Woman's wrestling team competed in their first open tournament of the 2024-25 season at the Colorado Mesa Maverick Open on Saturday, Nov. 2. Five Pioneers placed in the top five in their respective weight classes, including two first place finishes from Tom Hanks and Maegan Flaherty in the 117 and 145 weight class, respectively. Hanks won all five of her matches in the tournament by tech fall, as Flaherty finished with two tech fall victories out of four total wins on the mat.
Brooke Zejda and Pauline Grace Heimuli both won their third place match by fall after concluding the open undefeated, despite dropping their opening matches. Poorna Babu claimed the final top five placement in the 160 class, respectively, after defeating her Pioneer teammate Jermariah Ferguson in the fifth place match by fall.
IMPACT WRESTLERS
KEY PIONEER MATCHES
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103 Weight Class: Sloan Stewart secured two wins to start the open by tech fall over Snow Coleg and UNLV opponents. The sophomore wrestler finished her day in the fifth place match, where Stewart was outlasted by fall to Fort Hays State.
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117 Weight Class: Hanks defeated all five opponents on the day by tech fall to start her sophomore campaign with a first place finish.
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131 Weight Class: After suffering a 10-6 defeat in her opening match, Zejda cleared the constellation side of the bracket with six straight victories on the mat to take third place. Livi Dubon finished sixth after starting 2-0 before dropping her final fifth place match by fall. Gigi Donald and Chanya Tipmanee also competed in the 131 class.
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138 Weight Class: Laisha Rios also finished sixth in her respective weight class after starting the Open with two wins.
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145 Weight Class: Flaherty completed the Maverick Open with four victories over Utah Tech, Snow College, and Colorado Mesa opponents. Emily Loya also competed in the 145 class.
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160 Weight Class: After a 13-2 tech fall defeat in her opening match, Babu finished with five victories to close her day at the Open in fifth place after her final battle with Ferguson. Ferguson finished sixth after starting 3-0 to start the tournament before dropping her final two matches.
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180 Weight Class: Heimuli made up for her early debut loss to Utah Tech in the opening round with five wins for third place overall to conclude her first tournament as a Pioneer. Audrina Mauldin, Mia Howell, and Faith Perez allcompeted in the 180 class as well.
FROM HEAD COACH RANDI MILLER
"I couldn't be prouder of my team," Head Coach Randi Miller said. "Their determination, resilience, and teamwork on the mat showcased not just their skills, but their heart and spirit. Each match was a testament to their hard work and dedication. Together, they shined."
NEXT UP
The Pioneers will be in KMA for their home opener next weekend on Sunday, Nov. 10, set for 2 p.m.
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