MARSHALL, Mo. - The Oklahoma City University Women's Wrestling team showcased their talent with a strong performance at the prestigious Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Missouri.

Recognized as one of the nation's toughest tournaments, the event featured more than 28 nationally ranked teams from the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, and Canada's USports, along with Open-level competitors and standout high school athletes.

Avery Ashley led the Stars with an impressive 4th-place finish in a highly competitive bracket. She dominated the early rounds, earning two wins by fall and two by technical fall to reach the semifinals. In the semifinal match, Ashley faced a tough challenge against returning NCAA national champion Ava Bayless from Iowa University, ultimately losing a hard-fought decision. She bounced back in the consolation semifinal with a decisive pin, advancing to the 3rd-place match. There, she fell 5-4 to another returning NCAA All-American, Emilie Gonzalez, also from Iowa University. Ashley concluded the tournament with a strong 4th-place finish.

OCU Team Result:

#10 Sofia Abramson: 103lbs - DNP

• Champ. Round 1 - Sofia Abramson (Oklahoma City University) received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Lillian Zapata (William Penn University) won by fall over Sofia Abramson (Oklahoma City University) (Fall 1:30)
• Cons. Round 2 - Brianna Vollendroff (Chadron) won by fall over Sofia Abramson (Oklahoma City University) (Fall 1:21)

#4 Avery Ashley: 110lbs - 4th Place

• Champ. Round 1 - Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Kimberly Rivera (Central Christian College) (Fall 0:42)
• Champ. Round 2 - Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Grace Noel (Baker University) (TF 10-0)
• Champ. Round 3 - Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Kate Cooper (Lindenwood University) (TF 10-0)
• Quarterfinal - Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Sophia Cornish (Colorado Mesa) (Fall 2:01)
• Semifinal - Ava Bayless (Iowa) won by decision over Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 11-2)
• Cons. Semi - Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Dinayah Vazquez (Emmanuel University) (Fall 5:31)
• 3rd Place Match - Emilie Gonzalez (Iowa) won by decision over Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 5-4)

Natalia Posada: 124lbs - DNP

• Champ. Round 1 - Natalia Posada (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Trona Bates (Chadron) (TF 10-0)
• Champ. Round 2 - Aspen Blasko (Grand Valley State) won by tech fall over Natalia Posada (Oklahoma City University) (TF 10-0)
• Cons. Round 2 - Natalia Posada (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Autumn Van Bremen (Quincy) (TF 15-5)
• Cons. Round 3 - Markayla Lottie (Avila) won by fall over Natalia Posada (Oklahoma City University) (Fall 4:03)

#11 Bryce White: 131lbs - DNP

• Champ. Round 1 - Bryce White (Oklahoma City University) received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Bryce White (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Tassie Hatch (Hastings) (Fall 1:28)
• Champ. Round 3 - Bryce White (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Maci Pearson (University of Saint Mary) (TF 10-0)
• Champ. Round 4 - Alexandra Szkotnicki (McKendree University) won by tech fall over Bryce White (Oklahoma City University) (TF 11-0)
• Cons. Round 6 - Cindy Zepeda (GVWC) won by fall over Bryce White (Oklahoma City University) (Fall 3:45)

#14 Destiny Campbell: 131lbs - DNP

• Champ. Round 1 - Destiny Campbell (Oklahoma City University) received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Destiny Campbell (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Sienna Sanborn (Tiffin University) (TF 10-0)
• Champ. Round 3 - Destiny Campbell (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Samara Markwardt (Carl Albert) (Fall 2:24)
• Champ. Round 4 - Shelby Kemp (William Jewell College) won by tech fall over Destiny Campbell (Oklahoma City University) (TF 11-1)
• Cons. Round 6 - Destiny Campbell (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Abby Rhodes (Quincy) (Fall 1:26)
• Cons. Round 7 - Jamie Laswell (Fort Hays State) won by tech fall over Destiny Campbell (Oklahoma City University) (TF 10-0)

#10 Makayla Munoz: 145lbs - DNP

• Champ. Round 1 - Makayla Munoz (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Eternity De La Garza (Missouri Valley College) (TF 10-0)
• Champ. Round 2 - Makayla Munoz (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Emily Loya (Texas Women`s University) (Fall 5:18)
• Champ. Round 3 - Avangeline Turner (Grand View) won by decision over Makayla Munoz (Oklahoma City University) (Dec 9-7)
• Cons. Round 4 - Lisa Hoeflich (Hastings) won by fall over Makayla Munoz (Oklahoma City University) (Fall 3:27)

#6 Corin Lowe: 160lbs - DNP

• Champ. Round 1 - Corin Lowe (Oklahoma City University) received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Corin Lowe (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Maddie O`Brien (Baker University) (Fall 0:30)
• Champ. Round 3 - Corin Lowe (Oklahoma City University) won by fall over Joy Ortiz (York University) (Fall 4:00)
• Champ. Round 4 - Alana Duggan (Lindenwood University) won by fall over Corin Lowe (Oklahoma City University) (Fall 2:37)
• Cons. Round 6 - Corin Lowe (Oklahoma City University) won by tech fall over Valeria Rodriguez (Quincy) (TF 12-1)
• Cons. Round 7 - Noelle Gaffney (Unattached Grand Valley State) won by tech fall over Corin Lowe (Oklahoma City University) (TF 10-0)

Head Coach William McKinney praised the team's efforts, stating, "Our wrestlers competed well at one of the toughest tournaments in the country. This tournament provided valuable experience as we continue to prepare for Nationals in March"

The Stars are now focused on their upcoming tri-meet competition after the Thanksgiving break against OSU and OU on December 8th. 

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