Women's Wrestling competes against John Carroll in program's first-ever home event

WESTERVILLE — The Otterbein women's wrestling team faced off against John Carroll on Saturday night in what marked a historic occasion as the first-ever collegiate women's wrestling event in Central Ohio and the program's first home event in its inaugural season. With the NCAA recently adding women's wrestling as its 91st championship sport beginning in 2026 and Otterbein currently boasting the only collegiate women's wrestling team in Central Ohio, the Rike Center filled with fans, high school wrestlers and media members in experiencing the historic moment. At the end of the night, the dual came down to the wire, as the Blue Streaks came away with a 25-24 victory.

The Basics

Records: Otterbein (7-7 overall), John Carroll (4-11 overall)
Venue: Rike Center - Westerville, Ohio
Full Results

John Carroll 25, Otterbein 24

103: Freshman Kellie Kennedy won by forfeit, giving Otterbein five points.
110: Freshman Rylee Touhalisky won by forfeit, putting Otterbein up 10-0.
117: Senior Olivia Shore won by forfeit, giving Otterbein a 15-0 lead.
124: Freshman Hailey Hatfield defeated Delaney Burns by fall in 1:25, extending the Otterbein lead to 20-0.
131: Riley Duffey defeated freshman Madison Sheehan by fall in 2:06, putting JCU on the board with five points.
138: Sumayyah Kemp defeated freshman Izzy Samczuk by fall in 1:57, making the score 20-10.
145: JCU won by forfeit, bringing JCU within five, 20-15.
160: JCU won by forfeit, tying the score at 20.
180: JCU won by forfeit, putting the Blue Streaks up 25-20.
207: Sophomore Marvet Hejazin defeated Bella Cyrkiel by 10-0 tech fall in 2:10, scoring four points for the Cardinals.

Notables

Senior Olivia Shore is No. 1 nationally in the 103-pound weight class in the latest rankings from The Open Mat, which were released on Tuesday. She is now 12-1 on the season with seven falls and one tech fall.
In the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association regional rankings, which were released Dec. 20, Shore is No. 1 at 103 pounds in Region 4. Also in Region 4, Rylee Touhalisky is No. 4 at 110 pounds, Hailey Hatfield is No. 4 at 117 pounds, Emmy Caton is No. 4 at 124 pounds and Grace Murphy is No. 5 at 207 pounds.