Graceland Women’s Wrestling Falls to Missouri Baptist in Dual

ST. LOUIS, MO — Missouri Baptist used upper-weight depth to break a mid-dual tie and secure a 35-15 victory over Graceland University on the road at the Carl & Deloris Petty Student Recreation Complex. After the Yellowjackets battled back to even the team score midway through the dual, the Spartans closed with decisive wins in the final weight classes to seal the result.

The Spartans struck first at 103 pounds, where Lillian Hackworth recorded a fall at 1:19 to give Missouri Baptist an early 5-0 edge. Consecutive forfeits at 110 and 117 quickly extended the margin to 15-0, putting Graceland in an early hole.

Graceland responded with three straight victories in the middle weights to swing momentum. Sierra Davenport (124), Elsyah Hernandez (131) and Ilee Basaldua (138) each earned wins by forfeit, evening the team score at 15-15 through six bouts and resetting the dual heading into the upper weights.

That momentum proved short-lived.

Missouri Baptist regained control at 145 pounds and closed the dual with victories at 145, 160, 180 and 207, capitalizing on lineup depth to pull away in the final tally. The Spartans' ability to field competitors in the upper weights ultimately made the difference.

"Duals like this highlight the importance of roster management and depth across all weight classes," head coach Evan Hansen said. "We competed where we had opportunities and collected the points available to us. As we prepare for the postseason, our focus is tightening up positionally — hand control, re-attacks and finishing sequences in neutral — and being ready to compete at a high pace for two three-minute periods."

Women's collegiate matches consist of two three-minute periods, placing a premium on pace, efficiency and clean scoring opportunities in neutral. With quick returns to neutral following brief control situations, sustained offensive pressure and sharp finishes often determine outcomes.

Missouri Baptist finished with 35 team points, while Graceland totaled 15.

Up Next: Graceland will compete at the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Friday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. CST at the Penn Activity Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The conference championship will determine automatic qualifiers and postseason seeding.

For more information on Graceland women's wrestling and all Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.