The Barton Community College women’s wrestling program made its long-awaited competitive debut Friday at the Falcon Open, held at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Wichita, Kansas, highlighted by a pair of podium finishes from Harmony Moore and Avery Hinojos.
Competing for the first time in program history, the Cougars posted an 19-16 combined record across nine wrestlers, with Moore securing a runner-up finish at 207 pounds and Hinojos placing third at 117 pounds. The duo combined for eight victories, including five falls, to lead Barton’s inaugural tournament showing.
Moore powered her way into the 207-pound championship match behind three consecutive falls. Following an opening-round bye, Moore needed just 18 seconds to pin Missouri Valley College’s Anjolina Rosario before adding a fall over Wayland Baptist University’s Kendal Tucker in 2:34 during the quarterfinals. Moore continued her run with a fall over York University’s Avery Albers in 5:20 during the semifinals before having her title pursuit halted by Northern Colorado Wrestling Club’s Parice Jones in the title bout.
Hinojos turned in the Cougars’ most productive individual performance, compiling a 5-1 record on her way to third place at 117 pounds. The freshman opened with three consecutive victories, including two falls and a technical fall, before dropping a narrow 7-4 decision to Ottawa University’s Hayden Vanderpool in the semifinals. Hinojos rebounded with a 16-5 technical fall over unattached competitor Jamiyah Thompson before securing third place with an 11-5 decision over Missouri Valley College’s Kyra Cobb.
Alyssa Calovich added a 3-2 performance at 124 pounds, highlighted by consecutive consolation victories. Following an opening-round forfeit victory, Calovich bounced back from a second-round setback with a fall over Missouri Valley College’s Lilah Shue in 1:28 before earning a 4-0 decision over Doane’s Saije Phelps. Her tournament concluded with a technical fall loss to Oklahoma City University’s Jaeyln Skelley.
Tehivalei “Eva” Lucios also advanced to the championship semifinals at 103 pounds before bowing out in the consolation semifinals. The freshman opened her collegiate career with consecutive falls over Ottawa University’s Maia Santos (1:19) and Baker University’s Shyann Thomas (2:41). Lucios finished 2-2 on the afternoon after dropping her semifinal and consolation semifinal bouts by technical fall.
Naomi Orozco and Yareli Garcia each added 2-2 performances in their respective weight classes. Competing at 180 pounds, Orozco bounced back from an opening-round setback with consecutive consolation falls, pinning Friends University’s Madilynn Jones in 2:23 before needing just 32 seconds to dispatch unattached competitor Layton Roberts. At 160 pounds, Garcia rebounded from a second-round loss with a 12-0 technical fall over Doane’s Savannah Stout before advancing through the next consolation round by injury default.
Rounding out Barton’s individual victories, Kaeleigh Klein collected a 10-0 technical fall over unattached competitor Jayden Gittrich at 110 pounds, while Mya Trevino earned an opening-round forfeit victory at 131 pounds.
The Cougars return to the mats Friday, traveling to Poteau, Oklahoma for the Viking Open, continuing a stretch of five consecutive weekends of competition, including four straight in November.
