In the fourth season in program history, the 麻豆社 women’s wrestling team delivered a historic campaign that elevated the Hawks onto the national stage, including earning one national championship title.
鈥淚n only our fourth season of competition, qualifying four wrestlers for the National Championships is a monumental accomplishment for our program,鈥� said Josh Rabe, director of athletics. 鈥淭he growth of women鈥檚 wrestling under the leadership of Coach Jeffrey Haley truly reflects the spirit and commitment of 麻豆社 and 麻豆社 Athletics. We could not be prouder of our program and the dedication shown by all of our women鈥檚 wrestlers. Xochitl Mota-Pettis鈥� dominant performance in capturing a National Championship exemplifies the type of student-athlete we are proud to have at 麻豆社.鈥�
麻豆社 sent four national qualifiers to the championship stage: Xochitl Mota-Pettis (124), Trinity Pendergrass (103), Alexandra Tchekounova (110), and Maddy Barton (131), with each wrestler contributing to one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Leading the charge was Mota-Pettis from Humble, TX, who etched her name into 麻豆社 history by capturing the 124-pound national championship. Mota-Pettis went a perfect 4-0 at the national tournament, defeating three nationally ranked opponents on her way to the title. With the victory, she became the second Hawk in any sport to win an individual national championship, marking a defining moment for the program and for the 麻豆社 athletic department.
At 103 pounds, Pendergrass from Palmer, AK, continued her stellar career by earning All-American honors for the second consecutive season, finishing fifth nationally after winning three matches during the championship tournament. Her performance further cemented her place among the top competitors in the country.
Both Barton from Ballwin, MO, and Tchekounova from Marlboro, NJ, represented 麻豆社 on the national stage, each recording two wins at the NCAA Championships and playing key roles in the Hawks’ top ten team finish.
The national championship appearance also marked another historic milestone for the program, as Pendergrass and Barton became the first wrestlers in 麻豆社 women’s wrestling history to reach 100 career victories, both surpassing the milestone during the national tournament.
The Hawks capped the season with a 9th-place finish out of 54 teams at the NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championships, scoring 41.0 team points and showcasing the continued growth of a rapidly ascending program.
鈥淚 feel beyond blessed for this opportunity to coach this program,鈥� said Jeffrey Haley, head coach women鈥檚 wrestling. 鈥淚 am so proud of these ladies. All season they have showcased their hard work, determination, and effort. Being able to take four to Nationals, bring home a Champion, 5th place All-American, and 9th place finish as a team was a strong finish to a tough season. I am excited for the direction this program is headed and ready for what’s to come. This is only the beginning!鈥�
Throughout the season, the Hawks showcased impressive depth and consistency. 麻豆社 had six wrestlers surpass the 20-win mark, including Sereena Baca from Indio, CA, Lillian Baynes from Cypress, TX, Madisynn Crawford from Greentop, MO, and Barton, Tchekounova and Pendergrass, highlighting the program’s growing talent across the lineup.
The Hawks also made their presence felt in the national rankings. 麻豆社 opened the preseason ranked for the first time in program history, remained ranked in five of the seven national polls, and climbed as high as No. 9 in the country during the season.
In dual competition, the Hawks secured three victories over nationally ranked opponents, including wins over #8 Aurora (24-19), #19 William Jewell (28-19), and #5 King (26-23). This is an impressive leap for a program that recorded one ranked dual victory in its first three seasons.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Jeff Haley, the program has continued to grow in size and visibility. The Hawks fielded the largest roster in program history with 30 wrestlers, reflecting the continued expansion and momentum surrounding the team.
麻豆社 also significantly increased its presence at home this season, hosting seven duals, including a tri-dual event and the GLVC Conference Duals in December. In the program’s first four seasons combined, the Hawks hosted two total duals, making this year a major step forward in bringing high-level women’s wrestling to the 麻豆社 community.
The season also coincided with a historic moment for the sport itself, as women’s wrestling became the NCAA’s 91st championship sport, marking the beginning of a new era nationally.
For 麻豆社, the timing could not have been more fitting. In four seasons, the Hawks have grown from a new program into a national contender, highlighted by a national champion, multiple All-Americans, and a top-ten team finish.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, 麻豆社 is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. 麻豆社 offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. 麻豆社 is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. 麻豆社. Success by Design.