2023-2024 Women’s Wrestling Season Preview
2022-2023 Heart Finish: 7th of 7 teams
Notable returners:
Catherine Steinkamp, Jr., Quincy, Ill.
(National qualifier)
Brittany Cotter, Jr., Katy, Texas
(National qualifier)
Kylee Eastwood, So., Fontana, Kan.
(National qualifier)
Notable newcomers:
Adaugo Nwachukwu, Jr., San Jose, Calif.
Mia Palumbo, Jr., Oak Lawn, Ill.
Ashley Lekas, So., Plano, Texas
Devin Patton, So., Plano, Texas
Isabelle Hawley, So., Winchester, Calif.
A new coaching staff has injected not only new talent but also renewed life into the Statesmen women's wrestling program as it looks for a massive turnaround in the 2023-2024 season.
First-year Head Coach Jake Kadel and Assistant Coach Case Wilcke brought some baggage--in a very good way--with them from their previous employer as William Penn is projected to be a major player on the NAIA scene in just its fourth year of existence.
A year after finishing seventh in the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings, the navy and gold enter the season second in the league and fourth nationally with a plethora of ranked wrestlers.
101
Mya Turnmire (Sr., Machesney Park, Ill., Sports Management) leads off a giant group of newcomers who came with Kadel and Wilcke from Iowa Wesleyan. The senior, who is ranked 10th in the NAIA, will be backed up by fellow newcomer Teya Garner (Fr., San Antonio, Texas, Biology) as well as returner Rachel Cotter (So., Katy, Texas Public Accounting).
109
After back-to-back trips to the national championship match, top-ranked Mia Palumbo (Jr., Oak Lawn, Ill., Exercise Science) is looking to win her final bout of the season as a junior.
Newcomers Lizzie Espinoza (Fr., Sparks, Nev., Undecided) and Destiny Carranza (So., San Leandro, Calif., Sociology) will add depth at the weight class.
116
The Statesmen have a pair of individuals ranked nationally at 116, including freshman Alexis Montes (El Paso, Texas, Exercise Science), who is #10, and returner Brittany Cotter (Jr., Katy, Texas, Nursing), who is #11. Cotter is back on the mat after qualifying for nationals last year for WPU.
123
Catherine Steinkamp (Jr., Quincy, Ill., Exercise Science) leads a quartet of strong wrestlers at 123. The junior is not only #19 in the nation, but also a national qualifier from a season ago.
Returners Tatiana Garcia (So., Amarillo, Texas, Undecided) and Grecia Martinez (So., Horizon City, Texas, Engineering) and newcomer Lillian Steigerwald (Fr., Wentzville, Mo., Exercise Science) are expected to provide extra depth as well.
130
William Penn waltzes into the campaign with two more ranked individuals at 130 pounds as newcomers Joanna Vanderwood (Jr., Graham, Wash., Nursing) and Devin Patton (So., Plano, Texas, Business Management) are #7 and #11, respectively.
136
All eyes are on Adaugo Nwachukwu (Jr., San Jose, Calif., Exercise Science) as she attempts to win her third national title in as many seasons.
Returners Alexis Cervantes (So., San Diego, Calif., Biology) and Sandra Arellano (So., Wichita, Kan., Biology) will look to grow in their sophomore campaigns.
143
At #5 in the NAIA, Isabelle Hawley (So., Winchester, Calif., Sociology) leads the way at 143 pounds, while Naida Abdijanovic (So., St. Louis, Mo., Biology) is also ranked, sitting at #17.
Ashleigh Denny (Jr., El Paso, Texas, Biology) will provide even more pop for WPU at the weight class.
155
The Statesmen will be paced at 155 pounds by 2023 national qualifier Kylee Eastwood (So., Fontana, Kan., Biology) with Kaylah Johnson (So., Houston, Texas, Biology) and Mathilde Gaumet (Jr., Bougey, France, Business Management) serving as backups.
170
Ashley Lekas (So., Plano, Texas, Business Management) has transferred to William Penn with strong accolades and will enter the season at #2 wrestler in the nation.
191
A quartet of Statesmen will be vying for the starting nod at 191 pounds, led by #11 nationally-ranked Grace Gray (So., Ankeny, Iowa, New Media).
Returners Samantha Ruano (Sr., Romeoville, Ill., Business Management), Phoebe Burt (Jr., Coralville, Iowa, Sociology), and Daisy Cabriales (So., Richland Hills, Texas, Business Management) have impressed the coaches as well.
Schedule/Conference
WPU begins the year Saturday in Indianola at the Simpson Luther Hill Invitational, while the Heart dual season and home campaign opens on January 11 with a dual versus Central Methodist.
William Penn will host just two duals, including facing #3 Grand View in a highly-anticipated bout on January 17. The Statesmen will also serve as hosts for the Heart Championship on February 24.
