COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - The inaugural season of the Murray State College women's wrestling team concluded with an impressive performance at the 2026 NJCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships, highlighted by seven All-American finishes and a top-5 team finish.

Murray State College finished the tournament with All-American honors earned by Gabby Akers, Adrianna Chronister, Vivian Hayes, Dixie Holliday, Zolie Kurena, Caris Morris, and Olivia Sandoval, marking a significant milestone for the program's first season.

At 103 pounds, Vivian Hayes put together an outstanding run to the championship match. Hayes advanced through the bracket with dominant performances, opening with a forfeit victory before recording three straight falls. She pinned Brooklyn Noel and Chasey Karabell of Indian Hills Community College and followed with another fall against KyLee Smith of Northern Oklahoma College–Tonkawa. Hayes ultimately finished as national runner-up after falling 5-0 in the championship match to Erica Pastoriza, earning second place and All-American honors.

Dixie Holliday also delivered an impressive performance in the 110-pound bracket. Holliday recorded three consecutive pins, defeating Tatum Dolan of Carl Albert State College, Kathryn Christensen of Snow College, and Damiyah Smith of Iowa Central Community College. She then edged Mia Kurth of Hawkeye Community College in a thrilling 14-13 semifinal victory to reach the championship bout. Holliday finished as the national runner-up after a 9-2 decision against Kailey Salazar of Umpqua Community College, securing All-American status.

Also competing at 110 pounds, Addison Polk opened with a 10-0 victory over Chelsea Becera of Southwestern Oregon Community College. After a loss to eventual champion Kailey Salazar, Polk battled back through the consolation bracket with pins over Alexis Clements of Big Bend Community College and Angela Lee of NOC-Tonkawa before dropping her final match.

At 117 pounds, Amaya Rubalcado rebounded from an opening-round loss with a pin over Aris Fry of Big Bend and a high-scoring 20-15 victory against Alyse Koss of Southwestern Michigan College. Her run ended with a 12-2 loss to Rosalia Rubio of Iowa Western Community College. Teammate Andie Wallace also competed at 117 pounds and dropped both of her matches in the tournament.

Olivia Sandoval delivered a strong showing at 131 pounds as she opened the tournament with back-to-back pins over Deanna Williamson of Onondaga Community College and Lacy Lemburg of Southeast Community College Nebraska. Sandoval advanced deep into the bracket before suffering an injury, ultimately finishing sixth to earn All-American honors.

The Lady Aggies had two wrestlers place at 145 pounds. Zolie Kurena started strong with a fall over Nina Aceves of Iowa Lakes Community College and an 11-1 major decision against Makenna Brissey of Hawkeye. After a loss, Kurena responded with an 8-4 win over Teagan Simpson of Bryant & Stratton College and an 8-3 victory over Koryn Klein of Southeast Nebraska before finishing sixth.

Adrianna Chronister also battled through the 145-pound bracket, opening with a pin against Abigail Reeves of Snow College and a 3-1 decision over Simpson. Chronister later earned a 10-0 technical fall against Alexandrea Estala of Southwestern Oregon and added a pin over Klein before finishing seventh overall.

At 160 pounds, Gabby Akers put together an outstanding run all the way to the championship match. Akers dominated her bracket with three pins, defeating Jayna Arrocena of Iowa Western, Janaye Wise of NOC-Tonkawa, and Olivia Stean of Indian Hills along the way. She also recorded a 3-0 decision over Anyia Roberts of Southeast Nebraska, setting up a battle for the championship match with Billie Bonwell of Southeast Nebraska. Akers battled through the course of the championship match, but was edged 4-3, earning second place and All-American status.

At 180 pounds, Caris Morris earned All-American honors with a fifth-place finish. Morris opened with a 10-7 decision over Kiernan Farmer of Southeastern Community College before adding back-to-back pins against Carson Shank of Iowa Western and Caroline Purcell of Fort Hays Tech Northwest. After two losses, Morris bounced back with another pin against Farmer to secure fifth place. Jordan Bread also competed at 180 pounds but was eliminated after two matches.

At 207 pounds, Jordyn Wilson fought through the bracket after dropping her opening match. Wilson earned a pin over Chloe Colvin of Snow College before falling in her final bout of the tournament.

The Lady Aggies earned a fifth-place team finish.
 
Assistant Sports Information Director: Jeremy Wagner | jwagner@mscok.edu
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