Kennedy qualifies for Nationals, women's wrestling takes fifth at Regionals

TIFFIN, Ohio – Kellie Kennedy: National Qualifier.

In just the second year in program history, sophomore Kellie Kennedy punched her ticket to the NCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships. Kennedy placed third in the 110-pound bracket, earning a spot in next month's tournament. As a team, the Cardinals finished fifth out of 18 teams, scoring 78 points on the weekend. Five wrestlers ended the weekend as regional placers, proving a bright future for an incredibly young program.

Kennedy came out of the consolation bracket after an opening round loss on Friday. She pinned Heidelberg's Audrey Miracle in 55 seconds and advanced to the third place bout on a medical forfeit. In the decisive match, the sophomore broke a 6-6 tie with two points in the final 30 seconds, securing her spot in Iowa in two weeks.

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Morgan Leonhardt placed fourth at 124 to conclude her regional weekend. In her first match on Saturday, she fell to the No. 1 nationally ranked Sara Sterner (North Central), but remained active with a pin over Aurora's Natasha Markoutsis. Despite a tremendous fight in the third place bout, the freshman fell 7-4 to No. 12 Annesley Day (Tiffin).

At 103, Vita Savage also placed fourth in the region. Falling in the semifinal to No. 4 ranked Rayana Sahagun (GVSU), she advanced to the third place matchup against Taylor MacAdam (John Carroll). Savage earned a tech fall in 1:45 to move on to the third place bout, but dropped a 7-0 decision to an experienced Genesis Ramirez (Aurora).

Raegan Briggs finished fifth, representing Otterbein at 138. Briggs pinned Manchester's Katy Vardaman in 1:27, but fell to No. 9 national rank Sophia Ball of Aurora to move to the fifth place bout. Briggs ended her season on a high note, needing just 36 seconds to pin John Carroll's Nora Mooney.

Freshman Jada Weiss placed sixth in her first regional appearance. She started Saturday with a 10-0 tech fall over Grace Johnson (Elmhurst). Weiss dropped a tight 9-5 decision in her next match, before falling 6-0 in the fifth place bout.

At 131, Alicia Coleman's tournament ended after dropping to Adrian's Mason Harsch.

Kennedy will compete in the NCAA Championships Mar. 6-7 in Corralville, Iowa.

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Players Mentioned

Raegan Briggs: Sophomore

Kellie Kennedy: Sophomore

Alicia Coleman: Sophomore

Jada Weiss: Freshman

Vita Savage: Freshman

Morgan Leonhardt: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Raegan Briggs
: Sophomore

Kellie Kennedy
: Sophomore

Alicia Coleman
: Sophomore

Jada Weiss
: Freshman

Vita Savage
: Freshman

Morgan Leonhardt
: Freshman