UMO women’s wrestling debuts at Trojan Open

MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive women’s wrestling program made its official debut in its inaugural season at the Trojan Open hosted at Kornegay Arena Nov. 5.

The Trojans featured nine entries in the event and posted a 16-12 overall mark, including 12 falls, two tech falls, and two decisions. The event featured four total schools and a pair of unattached wrestlers with UMO and Lincoln Memorial both starting competition this season.

Freshman Gracie Cordasco posted a 2-1 mark in her collegiate debut after beginning the event by winning via pin. She would face teammate Brooke Hermel and suffered a 12-2 loss by technical fall before finishing the day with another victory over by fall.

A transfer from Oklahoma City University, Hermel registered a 3-0 record. She battled to a 9-8 win by decision over Tonya Flourory of Lincoln Memorial before defeating Cordasco via a 12-2 tech fall. In the final match, Hermel pinned Ashley Morris of Lincoln Memorial to post a perfect mark.

Freshman Isabel Rodriguez also registered a 3-0 record in her collegiate debut. She opened the event with an 11-2 win via decision over teammate Chloe Lawler. A native of Sneads Ferry, Rodriguez won by pin in her second bout before posting a victory via fall.

A native of New Jersey, freshman Lawler produced a 2-2 mark over four matches on Saturday. She suffered an 11-2 loss by decision to Rodriguez before answering with a win via fall. In her third match, Lawler was defeated by pin against Isabella Ruiz of Greensboro College but closed the day with a win by fall.

Freshman Skyelar Smith collected a perfect 3-0 record in her first collegiate appearance. She registered a technical fall win over Stephanie Castro of Lincoln Memorial, 11-0. Smith in her final two bouts recorded wins via pin.

A native of Chicago, freshman Lila Stratton registered a 2-0 mark. She earned a pair of victories via fall over teammate Aleksandra Bieszczad on Saturday.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics