Four members of the Chadron State women’s wrestling team and their coaching staff are in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this weekend for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships March 3 & 4, 2023.
The four qualifiers all earned their trip to nationals by placing in the top four of their respective weight class at the regional tournament in Grand Junction, Colorado on February 19. They are Kinsey Smith, Isabell Ortiz, Kayley Garcia and Kamila Montenegro.
Garcia, CSC’s first ever women’s wrestling regional champion, will face Marisa Roth of Northern Michigan University in the first round of 143-pound bracket. Her initial match will be in the round of 16.
Roth, a freshman, finished in second place at the Northwest Regional Qualifier. She was a two-time Wisconsin State Champ in high school. Garcia is also a freshman, hailing from Vista, California.
Smith, a senior from Windsor, Colorado and regional fourth placer, will face Aaliyah Payne-Parris from Sacred Heart in the round of 16. Smith is making her second consecutive trip to nationals.
Payne-Parris, a freshman, is ranked eighth in the country at 101 pounds and went 2-0 in her regional to win the championship. She is coached by Paulina Biega, the NCWWC National Coach of the Year.
Angela LoRusso of Adrian College drew Ortiz in the round of 32. Ortiz, a freshman of Lakin, Kansas, earned third place in CSC’s regional. She was the Kansas high school state champion last year in the 115-pound division. LoRusso and Ortiz will meet in the 116-pound bracket tomorrow.
LoRusso, a senior, placed second at her regional. She is one of 10 Adrian College wrestlers that have qualified for the national tournament.
Finally, in the 170 pound bracket, Montenegro will face Aspen Dodge in the round of 32. Dodge, also of Adrian College, finished third at regionals.
Montenegro, a junior from Las Vegas, is making her second consecutive trip to nationals for CSC.