JUCO wrestling: IHCC wrestlers take down Ellsworth

Jan. 22—IOWA FALLS — The top-ranked women's junior college wrestling team in the nation went on the road to secure its first dual victory of the new year as part of an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference road sweep. The Indian Hills women's wrestling team defeated ninth-ranked Ellsworth Community College, 51-2 in the first of two wins for the Warriors with the 14th-ranked men closing the doubleheader with a 42-9 win over the Panthers.

The Indian Hills men scored eight of the 10 matches at Dittmer Gymnasium to improve to 4-0 all-time against head coach Cole Spree's former team. The Warriors used four falls, two major decisions, and two technical falls to run away with Wednesday's dual win. Indian Hills moves to 4-2 overall on the year in dual action and 2-2 in ICCAC action.

Freshman Isaac Gibbs opened up the night at 125 pounds with a 15-6 major decision thanks to a trio of three-point takedowns. The win was the second league dual victory of the year for the freshman. Gibbs has earned 22 total victories this season, moving him into fourth-place all-time on the school's single season career wins list.

Justin Bradford pushed the lead to 9-0 early on with a dominant 19-2 tech fall at 133 pounds. Bradford jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the opening round and never looked back. A pair of three-point takedowns in the third round ended the match for Bradford's second consecutive dual victory.

Following a pin at 141 pounds for Ellsworth, the Warriors bounced back at 149 pounds with a 13-2 major for Yaveion Freeman, his second ICCAC dual win of the year. The Warriors extended its lead at 157 pounds with a fall from Ayden Kingery. Kingery was competing in his first ICCAC dual action of the year.

The Panthers pulled within 10 at 19-9 following a decision at 165 pounds before the Warriors rolled to four consecutive victories to cap the night. Jaquan East dominated his opponents at 174 pounds to secure a 19-1 tech fall. The freshman remains undefeated in dual action this year and owns an 18-2 overall record on the year, eight-most in school history.

Ronald Butler earned a fall at 184 pounds to extend the lead to 30-9 before Ansel Cervantes picked up his fourth dual win of the year with a pin at 197 pounds. Sophomore Treyshawn White closed out the night with a fall at 285 pounds.

The Warrior women won all 11 matches on Wednesday night, scoring four tech falls and a pair of pins to remain unbeaten in conference action on the year. Indian Hills is now 4-0 in league duals this year and 8-1 overall.

Defending national champion Dutchess King opened the night at 101 pounds with a 14-1 tech fall over sixth-ranked Melanie Barillas. King, ranked second in the latest national polls, improved to 7-1 on the year.

Following three consecutive forfeit victories to give Indian Hills a 19-1 edge, fourth-ranked Amaria Ridgner secured a 10-0 tech fall at 130 pounds before eighth-ranked Ruth Jimenez Batista scored a 12-2 tech fall at 136 pounds.

Abbi Smith won her third consecutive dual match, and second by pin after a first-round fall to push the Warriors' lead to 32-2.

At 155 pounds, third-ranked Genesis Gilmore earned a quick 10-0 tech fall in the first round for her 10th win of the season and eighth tech fall. Seventh-ranked Tanihya Wilson capped the night for the Warriors at 170 pounds with a first round pin, the freshman's first-career ICCAC dual victory.

The Indian Hills women made their first appearance at an open tournament in 2024 with the Missouri Baptist Open in St. Louis on Saturday. The Warriors brought home seven placewinners, including four top-five performances.

The Warriors were led by freshman Jazmine Garcia's third-place finish in the 155-pound weight class. After falling in the opening round, Garcia, who was making her season debut, battled back through the consolation bracket to win five consecutive matches, four coming by way of fall. All five wins came against four-year universities for Garcia who defeated Lakeland University's Niyasia McCampbell in the third-place match with a pin in just 33 seconds.

Sophomore Shammilka Miranda Diaz posted a fourth-place finish at 116 pounds for the Warriors with a pair of wins on the day. Diaz used an opening round pin in 1:24 and a 6-4 decision in the consolation semifinals to earn a spot on the podium.

Freshman Tanihya Wilson also recorded a fourth-place showing at 170 pounds. Wilson won back-to-back matches, including a fall in 48 seconds in the opening round of the consolation bracket.

The Warriors' strong showing at 155 pounds continued with impressive performances by Ja'nya Banks and Gilmore. Banks placed fifth overall and Gilmore scored a fall in the consolation round in 2:19.

Chontel Griffin earned a win in the fifth-place match at 170 pounds with a 7-2 decision to place for the Warriors. Angelica Vicente Gonzalez placed sixth overall at 123 pounds after back-to-back wins to open the day while Norma Alejandro earned a pair of wins to place sixth at 191 pounds.

The Warriors return to Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) dual action Wednesday night with a home match against North Iowa Area Community College. Action gets underway from the mulitpurpose building in Centerville starting with the women's dual at 6 p.m.