For every student-athlete in the NCAA, championship season is the dream. Months of hard work are paid off with a roaring crowd, more competition than ever before, and of course the opportunity to showcase that hard work. Luckily, for multiple members of the Ursinus Women’s Wrestling team, the dream has been extended. Six women were able to qualify for the NCWWC Wrestling National Championships this past week, a dramatic jump from just two a year ago. Needing a top-2 finish at their regional championships to clinch a spot in the championship, Olivia Guy ‘28, Emma Matera ‘27, Stacey Bloomfield ‘27, and Mandy Gavares ‘27 all punched their ticket with strong second place finishes. The Bears also won their first ever Regional Championships, with Kalli Roskos ‘27 and Cloe Charlsworth ‘26 taking down the competition. Through one of the best years in program history, Ursinus has earned the opportunity to continue the dream.
Going into the season, expectations were already high for the Bears. The team boasted seven regionally ranked wrestlers, along with two wrestlers ranked nationally. But from the start, it was easy to tell they were better than anyone expected. The women cruised to three straight wins, including a dominant win over a Cedar Crest college team they had struggled against the year prior. The influx of youth certainly aided the Bears. Freshman Guy immediately broke out as a star, scoring first period falls in two of her three matches, while fellow first-years Evette Colon and Emma Sagi scored their first career wins respectively. The team’s youth movement showcased a bright present and future for the team, even early in the season.
As the year wore on, the Bears faced their fair share of challenges. The team faced a brutal schedule of 18 meets, including a battle against some of the midwest’s best at their midseason meet at the “Gater Boot Duals” in Hendersonville, TN. Sitting at 5-3 in late December, after going 2-3 in Tennessee, it was obvious the team hadn’t reached its ceiling yet. But coach Joe Jamison held faith, stating the team would “not shy away from heavy competition” and calling the meet “a measuring stick” for the team to use to grow.
It’s this faith that helped guide the team to their best stretch of the season, soaring through late January and early February. The Bears rattled off six straight wins, including two over ranked opponents Lock Haven and Gannon University, rounding into form just in time for conference action. The victory over Lock Haven particularly stood out due to the team’s clutchness in the final moments, warding off the Eagles to upset them on their own home floor. Matera was able to pin the Eagle’s Avry Ryhal, ranked one spot ahead of her in the regional rankings at the time at #2, to seal a victory for the Bears. Matera, now a two-time National Championship qualifier, showed tremendous growth in her sophomore season, with spectacular moments like against Ryhal, showcasing why she’ll be a force at the National Championships. Through her strong performance and many others, the team proved their mettle down the stretch.
As the National Championships approach, the six qualifying Bears will face a unique challenge. NCAAs gather the best of the country, a far greater challenge than their respective region, similar to that which they faced in Tennessee. But from their recent performances, the team seems more than ready. Dreams may become reality for the Bears this weekend, but it’s their grit and resolve that have led them to this moment.