The Mavericks youth struggled in the first match for this young second-year CMU Women’s Wrestling Program.

The women’s wrestling team came out with a bang in their first season as an NCAA team and wanted to start their second season the same way. Wayland Baptist University had its own plans for this match as they got the win over the Mavericks 19-29. WBU came into the duel ranked fourth nationally in the preseason polls.

“Wayland is historically a powerhouse program so getting to compete against them as a new program is always good because we get to see where we stack up against that caliber of a program,” Head coach Travis Mercado said. 

Jennesis Martinez, one of the Mavericks fourteen freshman recruited into the second year of the program started the Mavericks out in the 101 weight class but fell to the Pioneer’s Nina Pham. It was up to another freshman Aleena Gomez who wrestled against Kayla Fitts to get the Mavericks up on their feet, but she did not get the job done in the 116 weight class.

“I think we came out a little flat to start,” Mercado said. “I did not see those matches going that way, but that is wrestling, anything can happen.”

The next match started with redshirt freshman Marissa Gallegos in the 123 weight class going up against a 2018 All-American in Gabriela Ramos-Diaz. Gallegos defeated Ramos-Diaz to help the Mavericks get their confidence back on the mat.

Daila Garibay coming to CMU was a big sign for the Mavericks this offseason, and by getting her on their roster CMU has solidified their 136 weight class for years to come. To start her college wrestling career, Garibay saw the number three ranked Candice Corralejo who was on the USA senior team. The two ended up with a draw on the mat.

Garibay is known to already be a force on the wrestling mat but she is also becoming a leader on this team through the work ethic and giving the team 100%.

Sierra Brown Ton returned to the team this season after being named an All-American last season. Brown Ton was not able to get the job done for the Mavericks as she fell to Amanda Alvarado, but this loss will not stop her from getting back to being an All-American wrestler. Brown Ton was held out of some practices and the intrasquad leading up to this dual for precautionary reasons.

“Going into this weekend it was going to be a game-time decision for her wrestle. She looked good during practice yesterday, but she wrestled timidly and seemed to force her attacks today against a tough girl we can not wrestle that way,” Mercado said. “She’s hard on herself but knows how to improve and will be ready for next weekend.”

The Mavericks are going to continue to work hard and prepare for the Missouri Valley Open with the mindset of getting better, striving for excellence and improving from the last matches. The Missouri Valley Open is Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. in Marshall, Mo.