NAPERVILLE — A busy late-December and early-January stretch saw College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women's wrestling programs make a strong national statement, highlighted by a dominant team title at the Midlands Championships, multiple podium finishes and a pair of decisive dual victories. 
 
With individual champions, ranked performances and conference teams building momentum, attention now turns to Cedar Falls as four CCIW programs prepare for the NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships.
 
Cardinals Capture Midlands Team Title
North Central reinforced its third-ranked national standing on Dec. 30, claiming the team title at the Midlands Championships with 173.5 points. 
 
The Cardinals crowned five individual champions, led by fourth-ranked Kaelani Shufeldt (110), who recorded two pins and two technical falls. Graduate student Sara Sterner (124) added another tournament title while continuing her record-setting season as the program’s all-time pins leader. 
 
Additional champions included Shenita Lawson (180), who earned four technical fall victories, Claire DiCugno (138) in her Cardinal debut, and freshman Tirza TwoTeeth (207), who went a perfect 3-0 in her bracket.
 
Aurora Posts Strong Midlands Finish
Aurora finished fourth at the Midlands Championships behind several notable individual efforts. 
 
Alexis Janiak (131) and Genesis Ramirez (103) each placed second, with Ramirez advancing to the finals following a 2-1 semifinal decision over North Central’s Madison Avila. Sophia Ball placed fourth at 138 pounds, while Emma Engels battled through the consolation bracket to finish fifth at 124.
 
Augustana Sweeps Fred Johnson Duals
Augustana hosted and swept the Fred Johnson Duals last Saturday, improving to 4-3 on the season. The Vikings rallied for a 28-15 comeback win over Carthage after trailing 13-7, closing the dual with a 21-2 run over the final five bouts. 
 
Technical falls from Moni Griffin (131), Bri Bynum (138), Aine Moffit (145) and Maryam Ndiaye (160) set the tone before Angie Guy (207) sealed the victory with a pin. Augustana closed the day with a 43-1 win over Upper Iowa, claiming seven weight classes by forfeit.
 
Carthage Splits at Duals, Earns Weekly Honor
Carthage split its matchups at the Fred Johnson Duals, defeating Upper Iowa 36-8 before falling to Augustana. Sophomore Alaina Hollendoner was named CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week on January 6 after earning a 6-4 decision against the Vikings. 
 
Earlier, the Firebirds competed at the Northern Michigan Duals on Dec. 19, posting a 1-3 mark with a win over Siena Heights. Crystal Gutierrez recorded both a fall and a technical fall at the Fred Johnson Duals, while Alexis Hozeska earned a pin against Upper Iowa.
 
CCIW Programs Head to National Duals
Four CCIW programs will compete at the NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships on Jan. 9-10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. North Central (No. 3), Aurora, Augustana and Illinois Wesleyan are all slated to participate. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan opens against Eastern, Augustana faces Elmira and Aurora is matched with Bethany. The third-ranked Cardinals will face Emmanuel.