NAPERVILLE — The mid-December stretch of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s wrestling season offered a clear snapshot of where programs stand entering the heart of the schedule. 
 
Tournament depth, individual consistency and an increasing emphasis on match finishes defined the week, as nationally tested lineups and emerging contributors continued to shape results across the conference. From dominant team performances to breakthrough individual runs, CCIW programs used a demanding slate of events as both a measuring stick and a building block heading toward the second half of the season.
 
Cardinals Set the Bar Again at Home Invite
North Central maintained its presence atop the conference, claiming its fourth consecutive NCC Invitational team title last Sunday with 139 points. The Cardinals finished with 14 total place finishes, led by Sara Sterner’s championship run at 124 pounds. Sterner recorded three pins during the tournament and secured the title by criteria in the final. 
 
North Central’s lineup depth was evident throughout the event, as Kaelani Shufeldt, Riley Rayome, Grace Stem and Shenita Lawson each earned runner-up finishes. Jael Miller added a third-place showing at 180 pounds, highlighted by three pins and three wins over ranked opponents.
 
Hosea Headlines Carthage’s Breakthrough Weekend
Carthage freshman Josie Hosea delivered one of the week’s most complete performances, earning CCIW Women’s Wrestling Student-Athlete of the Week honors after a perfect 5-0 showing at the Hiram Terrier Round Robin last Sunday. 
 
Competing at 160 pounds, Hosea captured first place and recorded her first career technical fall. Kirsten Cortez joined her atop the podium for the Firebirds, finishing 3-0 at 103 pounds with all three victories coming by fall.
 
Breakout Performances Shape Middle of the Field
Several CCIW programs found momentum through individual success at the NCC Invitational. Elmhurst’s Claire Crouch posted a third-place finish at 103 pounds, battling through the consolation bracket while recording three pins and improving her season record to 14-5. Teammate Viola Pianetto continues to pace the Bluejays in total wins, also standing at 14-5 on the year. 
 
Aurora’s Zoee Sadler led the Spartans with a runner-up finish in the 117-B bracket in Naperville, contributing 14.5 of the team’s 15.5 total points.
 
Tests Against the Top Offer Measuring Stick
Augustana faced a stiff challenge in dual action, dropping a 40-10 decision to No. 14 Simpson last Sunday with several Vikings matched against individually ranked opponents. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan closed its calendar year competition with a notable individual result at North Central, as Alivia Davey earned a ranked victory over Aaliyah Grandberry of Grand Valley State at the Titans’ final invitational of the semester.
 
Finishes Defining the Conference’s Competitive Identity
Recent results across the CCIW have reflected a finish-driven approach, with falls and technical superiority playing a central role in shaping outcomes. The trend was underscored by the Augustana–Simpson dual, where every match ended by fall. 
 
As teams move toward the second half of the season, the combination of depth, aggressiveness and experience against strong fields continues to sharpen conference lineups.