The women’s wrestling team headed to Coralville, Iowa, where they capped off their season in the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC). The team finished ninth overall with seniors Alexandra Fitzgerald and Madison Sandquist both finishing as All-American honors.
The Pioneers kicked off the tournament winning 17 total matches on the first day led by senior Temi Sanusi, sophomore Love Daley, and Fitzgerald, all of whom secured three wins, along with Sandquist, who finished the day with two.
“I was very happy for [Fitzgerald] because she made it to the semis, which is definitely a big deal. I was also happy that Love, Temi and Maddie Sanquist were still alive after the first day,” said head coach Paulina Biega.
At the end of day one, Fitzgerald was still in the championship bracket looking to take home gold as well as Sanusi, Daley and Sandquist remaining in the consolation bracket fighting for a chance to finish as high as third place. The Pioneers had 39.0 points and were ranked No. 7 in the tournament.
“I think that we should have done a little bit better,” said Biega. “But when you go to tournaments like that, you have to win in your head first.”
Source: Contributed by Joshua Gee, ‘26
On day two, Fitzgerald lost in the semifinal round and went on to place sixth overall. Sandquist won two of her next three matches in the consultation bracket to finish seventh. Sanusi and Daley both ended up losing their matches and failed to place within the top eight. The Pioneers finished ninth as a team in the tournament.
“Placing ninth was not our best performance. I know I didn’t have my best performance as well. As grateful as I am to come back having placed, I think we could have done so much better,” said Sandquist.
The two day event concluded with Sandquist and Fitzgerald earning All-American honors after their performances. This was Sandquist’s fourth consecutive All-American selection and Fitzgerald’s third consecutive All-American selection.
“Being a four time All-American, that meant a lot to me because not a lot of people get to hold that title of doing something like that four times,” said Sandquist.
“That’s a lot of pressure to be on the top at all times; it’s very hard. Sometimes it’s easier to be an underdog,” said Biega. “They dealt with a lot of things and there were a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but they persevered. There is a lot to be proud of, and I am very proud of Ally and Maddie.”
Much of the team success is credited to coach Biega’s work ethic and how she was able to pass it down to her players.
“Coach Paulina is probably one of the most passionate people ever for the sport. And if you’re lucky enough to know her and see her loyalty, she will always have your back, and she’ll always do whatever she can for her athletes and for her friends, and it is just such a pleasure to be coached by her,” said Sandquist.
The team is looking to come back next year and build off of this success in the future.
Sacred Heart Athletics contributed to this article.
