PLAINVIEW – 2025-2026 was a special year for the Wayland Baptist women's wrestling team, and it was highlighted by the national finalist duo of
Mercy Adekuoroye and
Jordan Suarez.
Adekuoroye, a native of Akure, Nigeria, capped off her incredible sophomore campaign with the NAIA National Championship in the 160 pound division. She went 30-4 this season, defeating some of the top wrestlers in her class and earning NAIA All-American honors. Her development cannot go unnoticed as she took 3
rd place in the 2025 NAIA National Championships.
During the NAIA National Championships, Adekuoroye was the 4-seed and received a first round by before going 4-0 on her way to the national championship. She picked up one win via Technical Fall, one via Fall, and two via Decisions. In the semi-final match, Adekuoroye knocked off 1-seed Latifah McBryde (Life University) in the final seconds to move on to the title match. She then defeated 2-seed Shannon Workinger (Evergreen State) in the final minute to earn the Decision and national championship.
Adekuoroye's athletic accomplishments this season displayed legendary status, but she also earned NWCA Academic All-American honors, showing tremendous perseverance to in the classroom.
A native of Katy, Texas, Suarez showed utter domination all season long. Suarez was the top ranked 145 pound wrestler going into the 2026 NAIA National Championships and finished the season with a 34-1 overall record. Her one defeat came in the national championship match where she fell via Decision in the final seconds of the match.
Throughout her first four matches at the NAIA National Championships, Suarez did not concede a single point against her opponents. She started 4-0 with two Technical Fall wins and two Fall wins. Like Adekuoroye, Suarez's development from last season to this season cannot go unnoticed as she finished in 5
th place at the 2025 NAIA National Championships.
With her runner-up finish at this year's national championships, Suarez was also recognized as an NAIA All-American. However, her hard work wasn't just noticeable on the mat. Suarez was also recognized as an NWCA Academic All-American, displaying true characteristics of a student-athlete.
The duo helped the Pioneers clinch a share of the KCAC/SAC Women's Wrestling Championships, the program's first in program history in the combined conference. They also played a vital role in the Pioneers taking 5
th place at the NAIA National Championships.
Adekuoroye and Suarez will both look to get back to the promise land and give the Pioneers multiple NAIA National Champions next season, giving head coach
Stryder Davis two fantastic building blocks for next year's squad. With these two spectacular athletes back and multiple other young athletes returning, the Pioneers should be a force to be reckoned with next season, searching for a Top 3 finish at the NAIA National Championships and potentially a team national title.
