WICHITA, Kan. --- The 6
th ranked Wayland Baptist women's wrestling team ended the 2026 KCAC/SAC Women's Wrestling Championships in victorious fashion, earning Co-Championships with Ottawa (Kan.).
The Pioneers had four wrestlers win conference championships in their respective weight classes:
Mariah Dillard (117),
Tess Barnett (124),
Jordan Suarez (145),
Mercy Adekuoroye (160). Overall, 11 Pioneers earned qualifying bids for the 2026 NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championships.
Jordan Suarez, the #1 ranked 145lb wrestler in the nation, dominated the conference championships and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Wrestler award recipient. Suarez received a first round bye, then won her next two matches by Fall and Technical Fall to win her division.
Dillard also received a first round bye, then won her next three matches (2 by Fall and 1 by Decision) to secure the 117lb title.
Barnett went 3-0 to secure the 124lb title with two wins via Fall and one bye way of Technical Fall.
Adekuoroye cruised to the 160lb championship by earning a first round bye, then winning two matches by Fall and one by Technical Fall.
Madison Pena earned 3
rd place in the 131lb division after earning a first round bye then going 2-2 the rest of the tournament, picking up wins via Falls.
Ambre Chevreau and
Payton Sholander took 3
rd and 4
th place in the 180lb championship with Chevreau edging Sholander in the 3
rd place match. Chevreau earned two wins with Falls and one with Decision, while Sholander finished with three Fall victories.
Faith Wooley earned 4
th place in the 207lb division after scoring three Fall victories. Wooley also received the Gorrarian Award for securing the most falls in the least amount of time during the championships.
Avery Shinkle placed 6
th in the 138lb division after winning one win by Forfeit and one by Fall. Shinkle also received the Champion of Character Award.
Calli Connally brought home 5
th place in the 103lb division by picking up two wins via Technical Falls and one by Fall.
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UP NEXT
The 6
th ranked Pioneers will travel back to Wichita, Kansas to compete in the 2026 NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championships on March 13-14.
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