Wrestling | 11/3/2025 3:40:00 PM
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (Nov. 3, 2025) – The Texas Woman's wrestling team officially kicked off its 2025–26 season this past weekend in Grand Junction, Colorado, competing in a tri-dual against Snow College and Colorado Mesa, followed by the Maverick Open.
TWU went 1-1 in duals, defeating Snow College 31–16 before falling to No. 6-ranked Colorado Mesa, 38–6.
Six Pioneers placed in the top five of their respective weight classes at the Maverick Open, highlighted by freshman Mackenzie Blue, who finished second in her collegiate debut at 145 pounds. Four other Pioneers — Poorna Babu (160), Samaria Barnett (180), Jaycee Portee (207) and Alexa Rodriguez (103) — each placed fourth, while Brooke Zejda rounded out the top-five finishes in fifth place.
IMPACT WRESTLERS (Maverick Open - Sunday)
KEY PIONEER MATCHES (Tri-Dual & Maverick Open)
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103: Freshman Rodriguez went 1-1 in Saturday's duals, earning a fall over her Snow College opponent in her debut to secure five team points. She followed with a 2–2 finish at the Maverick Open, placing fourth after a narrow 6-4 loss in the third-place match. Rodriguez totaled 13 team points for the weekend.
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124: After a tough loss by fall in her dual versus Colorado Mesa, Zejda bounced back at the Open with a 3–2 record to finish fifth. She capped her weekend with a dominant tech fall victory in under 30 seconds, collecting 13 points overall.
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145: Seeded seventh entering her first collegiate tournament, Blue went 3-1 to reach the championship match — the only Pioneer finalist. Her lone loss came to the top seed from Colorado Mesa by technical fall in the title bout. Blue totaled 20 team points in her debut.
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160: Babu opened the weekend with a fall against Snow College before dropping a 7-7 decision to CMU in dual action. She went on to record four wins on Sunday, finishing fourth after a close decision loss in the third-place match. Babu scored 17.5 points in the Open.
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180: Making her Pioneer debut, Barnett impressed with wins on both days of competition, going 2-0 in duals and 4-2 at the Maverick Open. She finished fourth overall, contributing 12 team points.
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207: Senior Portee started 1-1 in duals before posting a 4-2 record at the Open to finish fourth. She tallied 15.5 points after falling by decision in the third-place bout.
FROM HEAD COACH RANDI MILLER
"Great start to the season," Head Coach Randi Miller said. "I'm looking forward to building with this team this year."
NEXT UP
The Pioneers return home next Wednesday, Nov. 12, for their season home opener in Kitty Magee Arena. TWU will host a tri-dual against Tarleton State and McMurry, with action set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
-PIONEERS-
