Women's Wrestling Sweeps GPAC Season Honors
CRETE, Neb. – Following a dominant season that culminated in both the GPAC Regular Season and GPAC Tournament championships, the Doane women's wrestling team was heavily recognized when the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced its 2026 Women's Wrestling All-Conference teams.
The Tigers placed seven wrestlers on the GPAC First Team, one on the Second Team, and one honorable mention selection. In addition, senior Cristelle Rodriguez was named the GPAC Wrestler of the Year, freshman Jessica Rodriguez earned GPAC Freshman of the Year honors, and head coach Dana Vote was selected as the GPAC Coach of the Year.
Doane's conference honors came on the heels of a GPAC Tournament championship performance in which the Tigers totaled 179.5 points to outdistance runner-up Hastings by 10 points and claim the conference crown. The Tigers crowned seven individual champions and placed 10 wrestlers among the top four in their respective weight classes.
Rodriguez highlighted the postseason honors after completing a perfect conference season at 124 pounds. The senior earned GPAC Wrestler of the Year recognition after winning the conference title with a first-period fall in the championship match, finishing the tournament unbeaten and extending her season record to 16-0.
Jessica Rodriguez was selected as the GPAC Freshman of the Year after a standout debut campaign at 207 pounds. The Las Vegas native captured the conference championship with three falls, including victories in the semifinals and finals over nationally-ranked opponents. She scored a team-best 20 tournament points while improving to 18-3 on the season.
Vote earned Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Tigers to GPAC regular season and tournament championships while helping Doane place seven wrestlers atop the conference podium.
GPAC First Team Selections
Karina Vang (103 pounds, Sr., Fresno, Calif.)
Vang earned First Team recognition after winning the GPAC championship at 103 pounds. The senior advanced to the finals with a semifinal fall before claiming the title by forfeit, scoring 18 team points during the tournament.
Angelica Vicente Gonzalez (117 pounds, Jr., Cidra, Puerto Rico)
Vicente Gonzalez captured the conference title at 117 pounds and was named to the First Team. She secured the championship by forfeit and finished the event with 16 team points.
Cristelle Rodriguez (124 pounds, Sr., Clovis, Calif.)
The GPAC Wrestler of the Year dominated the 124-pound bracket, winning the conference title with a first-period fall in the championship match. Rodriguez finished the season undefeated entering the postseason honors announcement.
Ashlee Palimo'o (131 pounds, R-Sr., Maui, Hawaii)
Palimo'o earned First Team honors after advancing to the conference finals at 131 pounds. She reached the championship bout with two falls and a semifinal victory over teammate Payton Weese before finishing as the tournament runner-up.
Bridgette Sotomayor (145 pounds, Jr., Glendale, Ariz.)
Sotomayor claimed the GPAC title at 145 pounds and secured First Team honors. She recorded a semifinal fall and capped her tournament with a technical fall victory in the championship match.
Yazmin Belk (180 pounds, So., Hanford, Calif.)
Belk won the conference championship at 180 pounds, securing the title with a fall in the finals. Her performance earned 16 team points and First Team recognition.
Jessica Rodriguez (207 pounds, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
In addition to Freshman of the Year honors, Rodriguez earned First Team recognition after capturing the GPAC championship with three falls. She recorded pins in every match of the tournament.
GPAC Second Team Selection
Kimberly Navarrete (103 pounds, Jr., Oroville, Calif.)
Navarrete received Second Team honors after placing third at the GPAC Championships. She opened the tournament with a fall and rebounded from a semifinal setback to win the third-place match by fall in just 36 seconds.
GPAC Honorable Mention
Bettie Chambers (117 pounds, Fr., Bennet, Neb.)
Chambers earned GPAC Honorable Mention recognition after placing third at the conference championships. The freshman finished the tournament with nine team points and secured a spot on the conference podium.
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