ST. LOUIS, MO - The SLIAC welcomes in a pair of new programs to women's wrestling, giving the conference six programs that will compete for a conference championship at the end of the season. Even with the new additions it is two-time defending champion Schreiner University that sits atop the coach's preseason poll.
Schreiner accumulated 25 total points in the voting, receiving 5 first-place votes. The Mountaineers bring back three conference champions from last year in Pretejah Yockeman (110), Jania Dunigan (124), and Azana King (160). King was also national qualifier in each of the last two seasons while Dunigan is the reigning SLIAC Freshman of the Year. Natalie Espinoza is also back at 207 after her second-place showing in the conference last year. The program welcomes in a strong class of newcomers, headlined by NAIA All-America transfer Faith Macharia (207). The Mountaineers finished ranked 24th last season while producing a second straight All-American.
Eureka College was picked 2nd with 20 points and received the only other first-place nod from coaches. The Red Devils will lean on returning conference champions Madison Farris and Tayla Phillips. Farris was the conference champ two years ago at 160 while Phillips won a title at 207.
One of two new programs, McMurry University, totaled 17 points in the voting. This will be the first year of the program for the War Hawks, who are coached by
Lance Brown. The program starts from scratch with a group of state champions and qualifiers.
Kayla Jose was the New Mexico state champion at 124 while
Alexis Schmotzer won the Arkansas championship at 130.
Brandie Brown won the state title at 145 in Kansas. The team also boasts are pair of wrestlers from Texas that qualified for state in
Alekzandrea Uresti (180) and Adrianna Azuara (138).
Lyon College finished 3rd at last year's conference championship and were picked 4th in the poll this season with 13 points. The Scots will build around three of the conference's top wrestlers. Rubi Gonzalez was the 2024 champion at 110 and finished as a runner-up last year. Both Kaylei Parish (103) and D'Mysha James (180) were runners-up at the conference championship last season.
The second newcomer to the league, Huntingdon University picked up 9 points in the poll. The Hawks have two returning national qualifiers in Shelby Fugate (110) and Aniyah Griffin (180). They also boast regionally ranked Jordan Epstein (103), Chloe Parets (124), Angie Knepp (131), and Arie Bacon (160). The program welcomes in competitive freshmen Aniyah Baker, Brooke Madden, Ali Smith, and Nomaneta Iopu.
First-year head coach Raena Schledwitz is responsible building the Blue Jay program back up. They totaled 6 points after competing in just one event last year. The program will be focused around transfer Emilie Medlock as they look to grow the roster.
