Heading into their first national tournament, Snow College women’s’ head coach Ross Taylor is optimistic that his wrestlers will compete to the best of their abilities and represent Snow College positively.

“Our women’s team has improved significantly since the start of the season,” said Taylor. “These girls have come in with only two to three years of experience in the sport, and some have never wrestled freestyle prior to wrestling at a collegiate level.”

Women’s wrestling teams are still relatively new, as they were only sanctioned during the 2020-21 school year with the Utah High School Athletics Association. Snow College’s women’s team will be taking 10 competitors to the national tournament March 3.

“Our group of women isn’t just hard working on the mat, they have great grades as well,” said Taylor. “Of the 10 heading to nationals, seven are ranked in the NJCAA between third and eighth.”

Heading to National Junior College Athletic Association nationals are Samantha Memmott, 116-pound weight class; Neida Valle, ranked No. 7 at 123; Brinlee Gines, ranked fifth at 130; Cheyenne Cummings, 130; Corrie Williams, ranked third at 136; Sophia Miller, ranked eighth at 136; Ashlea Larson, ranked fifth at 143; Angella Van Volkenburg, ranked sixth at 155; Kelsey Taylor, 155; and Audrey Gribble, ranked eighth at 191.

“In our last tournament, at the Grand View Open, we had five placers,” said Taylor. “As a team, we feel a little bit of pressure to perform to the best of our abilities, but I know these women have a lot of heart and dedication in the sport.”

The women’s team will be traveling with the other six wrestlers that qualified for nationals on the Snow College men’s team to the NJCCA Nationals in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

“It means a lot to our team for all the support we are receiving this season from our campus and the community,” said Taylor. “Our campus student life is hosting a send-off party for the wrestlers attending nationals next week to ensure our team’s progress is recognized.”