The Life University women’s wrestling program secured their first-ever NAIA National Championship on top with 190.5 total team points, setting a new NAIA record in team points scored. Zaynah McBryde, Latifah McBryde and Savannah Isaac each captured individual national titles as the Running Eagles led the NAIA with 10 All-American honors.
National Champions
Starting at 138 lbs., Zaynah McBryde secured her first national title and redeemed last year’s runner-up appearance with a flawless tournament, earning a team-high 24.5 team points. After a first-round bye, the youngest of the McBryde sisters started her championship run with back-to-back technical falls before claiming an 8-0 decision in the semifinals. In the championship match, she was again unstoppable, winning with a 10-0 tech fall over the No. 2 seed from Providence, securing her first NAIA national title.
At 160 lbs., Latifah McBryde proved her dominance, standing atop the podium after scoring 23 team points. With two consecutive NAIA second place finishes the previous two years, McBryde stormed through the bracket with a series of tech falls before earning a 7-2 decision victory in both the semifinals and finals, capturing the national title in commanding fashion.
At 207 lbs., freshman Savannah Isaac added another title for Life U, contributing 24 team points. After securing falls in her first two matches, the Ohio-native displayed defensive prowess with a 7-0 decision in the semifinals. In the finals, in a Mid-South Conference Championship rematch, Isaac sealed her championship run with a 4-1 victory, standing atop the podium as a national champion.
All-American Finishes
At 110 lbs., freshman phenom Anaya Falcon delivered a stellar performance, placing second and scoring 18 team points. She battled through the bracket with impressive victories before falling in the championship match, securing her All-American status.
At 117 lbs., Salyna Shotwell put together an impressive run, earning 22 team points. She stormed through the early rounds with multiple falls but came up short in the finals, finishing as an NAIA runner-up after a loss to William Penn’s Olympian Christianah Ogunsanyah.
At 131 lbs., Olivia Mottley and Sarah Savidge placed 5th and 6th, respectively, with Mottley contributing 15 team points while Savidge added 14. The teammates clashed in the placement rounds, with Mottley winning by injury default to claim 5th place, her first All-American Honor.
At 145 lbs., Jamilah McBryde dominated early rounds, tallying 22.5 team points. She earned three consecutive tech falls before falling just short in a hard-fought 12-5 decision loss in the finals to William Penn’s Olympian Esther Kolawole.
At 180 lbs., Reka Busa fought through the consolation bracket to earn a 7th-place finish, scoring 12 team points. The Hungarian freshman ended her tournament with a dominant 46-second fall to secure her podium spot. Busa also picked the fastest pin of the tournament with a 26-second pin in the consolation bracket.
At 124 lbs., Ariana Martinez once again was named an All-American, securing 8th and adding 10 team points for Life U. After an opening round loss, the sophomore battled all the way back with multiple tech falls in the consolation rounds before securing her second straight All-American finish.
Other Finishes
At 103 lbs., Katherine Hernandez scored 4 team points but was unable to place after battling through injuries and a tough 103 lbs. bracket.
In arguably the hardest bracket of the tournament, at 124 lbs., Anna Krejsa scored 3 team points before her tournament run unfortunately ended in the consolation bracket in a Life v. Life matchup against Martinez.
With three national champions and multiple All-Americans, the Life University women’s wrestling team has finally captured the once elusive NAIA National Championship. After the tournament, the NAIA named Ashley Flavin this year’s NAIA Coach of the Year.
The national championship further solidifies Life University as one of the most dominant forces on the national stage as the Running Eagles secured both NWCA’s National Duals title and the NAIA Tournament this season.
