WOMEN’S WRESTLING MAKES HISTORY

On March 4, 2023, North Central’s women’s wrestling team claimed its first-ever national title, prevailing after two days of competition among a field of 37 teams at the NCAA Division III National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Cardinals posted a staggering 198 points, outscoring runner-up King University by 35 points. North Central set a program record for All-Americans with 15, and three Cardinals won national titles in their respective weight classes:

• Yelena Makoyed ’23 claimed the 170-pound crown, becoming the first Cardinal in history to earn three national titles and earn All-American status for the fourth straight year.

• In the 101-pound weight class, Maddie Avila ’26 became the second Cardinal in program history to win a national championship. The freshman also earned All-American honors.

• In the 116-pound weight class, Jaslynn Gallegos ’24 won her first national title and earned All-American honors for the fourth time in her career.

Following the tournament, Makoyed was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. She also earned the Manuel Gorriaran Award for most falls in the least amount of time, tallying four pins in seven minutes and 48 seconds. Makoyed said, “Out of all the wins that I have, nothing has compared to the connections and memories that I have made.”

Head coach Joe Norton’10 / M ’12 was named the National Tournament Coach of the Year for the second-straight year. He said, “It was a goal we set when we created the program. It is a relief that we got to this point. We put a lot of effort into our women, and we are glad that their hard work has paid off.”

The Cardinals finished the season with a dominant 15-1 dual meet record while claiming titles at the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) and the NCWWC Region IV Championships.

Support Women’s Sports at North Central

The NCAA’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX concludes in April 2023, and North Central recently marked 100 years of women in sports. Support North Central’s current and future female student-athletes by giving to our Women in Sports fund. Your donation will help meet capital, programming and other needs for our varsity programs for women.

To make your gift, visit northcentralcollege.edu/ womens-sports-legacy or call 1-800-611-1861, ext. 5211.