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Posted: Feb 23, 2025

Cook Advances to Nationals as Eureka Battles at NCWWC Regionals

Cook Advances to Nationals as Eureka Battles at NCWWC Regionals
Results

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Eureka women's wrestling team competed at the NCWWC Region VI Regionals on Sunday, where McKenzie Cook made history as the program's first-ever national qualifier.

At 145 pounds, McKenzie Cook received a bye in the first round before securing a 9-6 decision victory in the quarterfinals. She then pulled off a major win in the semifinals, pinning 12th-ranked Rebecca Strong (Lindenwood) in 5:20. Cook ultimately fell to 6th-ranked Savannah Gomez (McKendree) by technical fall (10-0) in the championship match, but her runner-up finish secured her spot at nationals.

At 207 pounds, Tayla Phillips received a bye in the first round before falling by pin (5:46) in the quarterfinals. She bounced back with a second-round pin in 2:54 in the consolation bracket before being edged out in a 2-1 decision loss in the consolation semifinals. Phillips wrapped up the tournament with a 7-1 decision loss in the fifth-place match, securing a sixth-place finish.

At 103 pounds, Sofia Kawano dropped her opening match by technical fall (10-0) and was eliminated after a 9-4 decision loss in the consolation bracket.

At 110 pounds, Kyley Bair lost by fall (3:21) in the opening round and then fell by technical fall (10-0) in her second match.

At 131 pounds, Natallie Tobuk was defeated by technical fall (19-8) in her first match and later lost by fall (4:32) in the consolation bracket.

At 138 pounds, Audrey Driskell fell in both of her matches by technical fall (10-0, 10-0), ending her tournament run.

At 145 pounds, Vannah Berry competed in the same bracket as Cook but was eliminated after back-to-back technical fall losses (10-0, 10-0).

At 160 pounds, Jaylah Campbell suffered two quick falls (0:38, 0:40), ending her tournament early.

At 180 pounds, Alex Parks lost her first match by technical fall (13-0) before a narrow 3-0 decision loss in the consolation bracket.

"We have a tough region to qualify and our girls represented well," said Head Coach Eric Biehl. "The day was highlighted by McKenzie being our first ever national qualifier. She secured her spot at nationals by beating a nationally ranked opponent." 

UP NEXT

McKenzie Cook will represent Eureka at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships on March 7-8 in Coralville, Iowa.