The Central Methodist women’s wrestling program was represented in five weight classes while competing against the top wrestlers from across the country at the NAIA National Championships at Hartman Arena last weekend in Park City, Kan. 

At 103 pounds, Zoey Mzeru began her national tournament run with a first-round bye before facing Zoey Haney of Indiana Tech in the second round. Haney earned a 10-0 technical fall victory to send Mzeru to the consolation bracket. After receiving another bye, Mzeru’s tournament came to an end following a fall by Destiny Jones of Saint Mary. 

In the 117-pound bracket, Yusneiry Agrazal opened the championships against Chloe Herrick of Baker, who secured a fall at the 5:03 mark. Agrazal advanced to the consolation side with a bye but was eliminated in her next bout when Sigrun Metzger of Ottawa recorded a fall at 1:30.

The Eagles picked up their first victory of the tournament at 124 pounds behind Berlin Kiddoo, who turned in a strong performance in the opening round with a 13-2 technical fall over Daniela Espinal of Montreat. Kiddoo then dropped a competitive 10-7 decision to Tati Paragas of William Penn in the second round. In the consolation bracket, Kiddoo’s tournament run concluded after a technical fall loss to Addison Messerly of Campbellsville. The opening-round victory accounted for 2.5 team points for CMU.

At 138 pounds, Emily Neumann faced Teani Medeiros-Maielua of William Woods in the opening round and fell by technical fall. Neumann moved into the consolation bracket with a bye before her tournament concluded with a fall by Zoe Fries of Missouri Baptist. 

The Eagles’ deepest push came in the 160-pound bracket from Allyssa Johnson. After receiving a first-round bye, Johnson earned a 5-2 decision over Mohagany Casel of Wayland Baptist to advance to the quarterfinals. Johnson was defeated by Bo Geibe of Indiana Tech by a 9-3 decision, sending her into the consolation rounds. Her tournament ended after a fall by Micah Fisher-Miller of the Cumberlands. Johnson’s win earlier in the bracket added two points to the Eagles’ team total.

Central Methodist finished the national championships with 4.5 team points, with Kiddoo and Johnson providing the scoring performances for the Eagles.