ST. LOUIS, MO – The McMurry University Women's Wrestling team stamped their authority on the 2026 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Championships, departing St. Louis with a third-place team trophy, four All-Conference medals, and the league's highest character honors. 

In a voting of the conference head coaches, McMurry was awarded the 2025-26 SLIAC Team Sportsmanship Award, a testament to the program's integrity and competitive respect within the league. 

Adding to the character accolades, Alexis Schmotzer was selected to the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team, recognizing her exemplary conduct and leadership on the mat. 

Four Podium Finishes & All-Conference Honors 

On the mat, the War Hawks proved to be a force, placing four wrestlers on the podium. By virtue of their top-three finishes, all four earned All-Conference recognition. 

Alexis Schmotzer (138 lbs) spearheaded the effort, navigating her way to the finals to secure a silver medal. Following a quarterfinal bye, Schmotzer wasted no time in the semifinals, pinning Huntingdon's Caden Collett in the first period (1:56). In the title match, she battled Joy Jackson of Schreiner University before falling by fall (1:45), finishing as the tournament runner-up. 

The War Hawks also displayed tremendous grit in the consolation brackets, with three wrestlers rebounding from semifinal losses to claim bronze medals: 

• Kayla Jose (131 lbs): After dropping a fast semifinal bout to Schreiner's Jania Dunigan, Jose regrouped with dominance. She earned a 10-0 Technical Fall over Schreiner's Kyllysta Dawkins in the consolation semis and clinched third place with a stamina-testing Fall (5:09) over Huntingdon's Tristin Robinson. 

• Adriana Azuara (145 lbs): Azuara showed short memory after a semifinal loss, storming back to win two straight by fall. She pinned Eureka's Vivian Guither in just 1:01 and secured the bronze with a Fall (3:24) over Christina Pahcheka of Schreiner. 

• Chelsey Upton (124 lbs): Upton secured crucial team points, bouncing back from a loss to eventual finalist Shelby Fugate (Huntingdon) to claim a 3rd Place finish. 

Coach's Take 

"Finishing third in the conference is a testament to the work these women have put in all season," said Head Coach Lance Brown. "To walk away with four All-Conference honorees is fantastic, but I am equally proud of the Team Sportsmanship Award. It shows that we are building this program the right way—winning matches while earning the respect of our peers." 

Match-by-Match Results 

124 | Chelsey Upton - 3rd Place (All-Conference) 

• Quarterfinals: Bye 

• Semifinals: lost to Shelby Fugate (Huntingdon) via TF 12-2 (2:38) 

• Cons. Semis: Bye 

• 3rd Place Match: Bye 

131 | Kayla Jose - 3rd Place (All-Conference) 

• Quarterfinals: Bye 

• Semifinals: lost to Jania Dunigan (Schreiner) via Fall (0:29) 

• Cons. Semis: def. Kyllysta Dawkins (Schreiner) via TF 10-0 (2:49) 

• 3rd Place Match: def. Tristin Robinson (Huntingdon) via Fall (5:09) 

138 | Alexis Schmotzer - 2nd Place (All-Conference) 

• Quarterfinals: Bye 

• Semifinals: def. Caden Collett (Huntingdon) via Fall (1:56) 

• 1st Place Match: lost to Joy Jackson (Schreiner) via Fall (1:45) 

145 | Adriana Azuara - 3rd Place (All-Conference) 

• Quarterfinals: Bye 

• Semifinals: lost to Jolene Walls (Huntingdon) via Fall (2:33) 

• Cons. Semis: def. Vivian Guither (Eureka) via Fall (1:01) 

• 3rd Place Match: def. Christina Pahcheka (Schreiner) via Fall (3:24)