Women's Wrestling Rallies for Second GPAC Title
HASTINGS, Neb. — The Doane University women's wrestling team captured its second consecutive Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament Championship on Saturday, edging host Hastings in a tightly contested team race. The Tigers totaled 179.5 points to secure the title, finishing just ahead of Hastings (169.5) while placing seven wrestlers in championship matches and crowning six individual champions.
Doane's six individual champions were led by dominant performances across multiple weight classes. Karina Vang (103) opened the championship run with a semifinal fall and captured the title by forfeit. Angelica Vicente Gonzalez (117) also secured gold, winning the championship by forfeit after advancing through the bracket.
At 124 pounds, unbeaten Cristelle Rodriguez remained perfect on the season, earning the title with a first-period fall in the finals. Bridgette Sotomayor (145) added another championship with a technical fall victory in the finals, while Yazmin Belk (180) secured gold with a fall over Hastings in the championship match.
The Tigers closed the tournament in dominant fashion at 207 pounds, where Jessica Rodriguez powered through the bracket with three falls, including a first-period pin in the championship bout to score a team-high 20 points. Doane's wins by Belk and Jessica Rodriguez capped off the team's late rally to claim the conference championship.
Doane also received key scoring contributions from several placewinners. Kimberly Navarrete (103) and Isabela Gutierrez (110) each finished third, while Bettie Chambers (117) and Hailey Romero (180) also placed third in their respective brackets. At 131 pounds, the Tigers earned major team points with Ashlee Palimo'o finishing runner-up and Payton Weese taking fourth.
The balanced effort across the lineup proved critical in the team race, as Doane accumulated bonus points through multiple falls and technical falls throughout the day to secure the championship margin.
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