Denson, Frank, Spry, Manual and Bassino take half of the individual titles for the Wildcats
STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Northern Michigan women’s wrestling team put together an outstanding showing at the Pointer Open on Saturday, claiming five individual championships while adding additional podium finishes.
Lillee Denson (103 pounds), Cheyenne Frank (117), Kandice Spry (124), Belicia Manuel (145), and Sophia Bassino (160) each captured individual titles, with all five Wildcats putting together impressive performances throughout the tournament.
The Wildcats recorded 29 technical fall wins, the most of the 20 competing teams/clubs. NMU also claimed half of the tournament’s 10 weight class titles, with no other program capturing more than two individual championships.
Denson opened her day with a 10-0 technical fall in just 1:17 before adding three more technical falls to go undefeated and claim first place. Frank was also impressive at 117, recording five consecutive technical falls, including a 10-0 victory in just 28 seconds in her opening bout, to secure her championship.
At 124, Spry worked her way through the bracket with three technical falls and a 4-3 decision. She capped her victory with a 12-1 technical fall to earn first place. Manuel also put together a dominant run at 145, winning her first three matches by technical fall before a 6-0 decision and another technical fall in the championship bout.
Bassino rounded out the Wildcats’ five champions at 160, adding four consecutive technical falls, including three victories by 10-0 scores, to take first place.
Northern added two more podium finishes at 180, where Kanata Richardson earned runner-up honors. Richardson opened with back-to-back technical falls before picking up a 5-2 decision to advance to the championship bout, where she finished second. Mickaela Keane placed fifth at 180, opening with a technical fall before adding a 5-1 decision to secure her spot on the podium.
Maddie Hayden finished fourth at 207, picking up a technical fall, a 10-4 decision, and a pin during her run. At 160, Abbie Miles battled through the bracket to earn fifth place, recording a technical fall and a pin on her day.
Several other Wildcats picked up victories throughout the day. Youstina Hanna (138) collected four wins and reached the consolation first-place bout, Zhivanna Magdaleno (124) earned a pin, Jamie Cook (131) recorded two victories, Keaton Hood (145) added a pin, and Mya Brandenburg (207) picked up two decisions.
Up Next
The Wildcats will travel to Adrian, Michigan, next weekend for the Adrian Duals on Saturday, November 14, followed by the Adrian Open on Sunday, November 15.
