CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Jan. 11) – Facing a pair of nationally-ranked opponents at the NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships, the Trojans dropped a 29-16 decision to No. 13 Elmira before suffering a 36-8 loss versus No. 16 ranked Sacred Heart on Saturday.

With the loss, the University of Mount Olive women's wrestling program will leave the Midwest with an 8-5 overall record after competing against four nationally ranked opponents over the weekend. The Trojans battled at one of the toughest tournaments in the country, featuring a roster of three freshmen, six sophomores, and one junior.

Against Elmira (5-2), freshman Lillian Prendergast captured her first victory of the event with a first-round fall over Joycedeliz Rodriguez Santia in the 103-weight class. At 110, freshman O'marzria Wright battled in a 12-8 loss to No. 8 ranked Abby Duke, as the Trojan maintained a 6-3 advantage. Sophomore Mallory McDonald (117) answered with a late pin versus Yenyia Terry before fellow sophomore Ayonna McNeill defeated Ana Martins Garcia by a 10-0 tech fall to extend the lead, 15-3. The Soaring Eagles countered with victories in the final six bouts, as sophomore Angelica Steffy captured a point after an 18-6 tech fall at 138. Elmira secured the dual meet win by a final score of 29-16.

Against Sacred Heart (5-6), the Pioneers established an 11-1 advantage with Prendergast earning a point following an 8-3 decision versus Tiffany Stoshak in the 103-weight class. McNeill cut into the deficit at 124 after posting a 12-1 tech fall over Cailan Drake, 9-5. Despite losses in the final six matches, junior Chloe Lawler, Steffy, and sophomore Savannah Bramhall each received one point after battling to a decision. Sacred Heart ultimately sealed the 36-8 win in the final contest for both sides at the national duals.

Mount Olive returns to the mat on Friday, Jan. 17 for a tri-meet in Bristol, Tennessee, versus a pair of conference opponents in Emmanuel and King.

Match Results vs. No. 13 Elmira
103: Lillian Prendergast (Mount Olive) over Joycedeliz Rodriguez Santia (Elmira) (Fall 1:32)
110: No. 8 Abby Duke (Elmira) over O'marzria Wright (Mount Olive) (Dec 12-8)
117: Mallory McDonald (Mount Olive) over Yenyia Terry (Elmira) (Fall 5:20)
124: Ayonna McNeill (Mount Olive) over Ana Martins Garcia (Elmira) (TF 10-0)
131: Gabby Bradigan (Elmira) over Chloe Lawler (Mount Olive) (Dec 6-0)
138: Ragan Retell (Elmira) over Angelica Steffy (Mount Olive) (TF 18-6)
145: No. 5 Zoey Lints (Elmira) over Kayleigh Savage (Mount Olive) (TF 10-0)
160: No. 10 Skylah Chakouian (Elmira) over Savannah Bramhall (Mount Olive) (Fall 1:07)
180: Hazel Dahlquist (Elmira) over Reagan Smith (Mount Olive) (Fall 1:33)
207: Tayana Labady (Elmira) over Andrea Smith (Mount Olive) (Fall 2:11)
 
Match Results vs. No. 16 Sacred Heart
103: Tiffany Stoshak (Sacred Heart) over Lillian Prendergast (Mount Olive) (Dec 8-3)
110: Lauren Nguyen (Sacred Heart) over O'marzria Wright (Mount Olive) (TF 10-0)
117: Tatiana Walker (Sacred Heart) over Mallory McDonald (Mount Olive) (TF 10-0)
124: Ayonna McNeill (Mount Olive) over Cailan Drake (Sacred Heart) (TF 12-1)
131: Elleahna Anderson (Sacred Heart) over Chloe Lawler (Mount Olive) (Dec 8-2)
138: Madison Canales (Sacred Heart) over Angelica Steffy (Mount Olive) (Dec 8-3)
145: Khadijah Sanusi (Sacred Heart) over Kayleigh Savage (Mount Olive) (Fall 0:23)
160: Jacklyn Smith (Sacred Heart) over Savannah Bramhall (Mount Olive) (Dec 13-5)
180: No. 4 Madison Sandquist (Sacred Heart) over Reagan Smith (Mount Olive) (Fall 1:00)
207: Madeline Hodges (Sacred Heart) over Andrea Smith (Mount Olive) (Fall 4:15)