EC Women’s Wrestling Competes in Regionals for First Time

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The first-ever Eureka women's wrestling season came to an end at the NCWWC Region IV Championships on Sunday.

Eureka competed among 12 teams – including five nationally-ranked squads – for a chance to wrestle at nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, next weekend.

The Red Devils didn't have any national qualifiers at the end of the day, but the team amassed 17.5 team points in its first regional appearance. Eureka finished 10th overall, besting Quincy (14) and Fontbonne (0).

Eureka freshman Gada Bryant (Westville, Ill./Westville/Lincoln) pinned Simpson's Kylie Torres in 29 seconds in the consolation round and placed sixth at 109 pounds.

Sophomore Vannah Berry (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North/Lincoln) came in seventh at 155 after defeating Lindewood's Julianna Moreno by injury default in the seventh-place match.

At 143, sophomore Audrey Driskell (Pekin, Ill./Pekin/Lincoln) finished eighth after just getting edged by William Jewell's Paige Barber by 3-2 decision in the seventh-place match.

Freshman Claire Schaffner (Delavan Ill./Delavan) went 0-2 at regionals to close her first-ever season as a wrestler.

"The cards were stacked against us, being in the toughest region in the state, but the girls competed well to close out their season," EC coach Eric Biehl said. "We already have some girls signed and we have everyone returning for next year, so we are looking forward to the future."