North Central College Women's Wrestling vs. MacMurray // 11.05.19

Highlights from North Central College women's wrestling team's 27-21 victory over MacMurray College in the first home dual in program's history on Nov. 5, 2019. Also included are post-match reactions from Malea Palahniuk '23, Abby Eisenbeis '21 and head coach Joe Norton.

It has finally arrived – the first home dual for the North Central Women’s Wrestling program, led by Joe Norton. Cardinals have wrestled in two tournaments – but tonight, they get the Highlanders from MacMurray and the crowd is pumped.

Let’s start at 109 pounds as North Central’s Angelina Graff squares off against Jocelyn Hernandez – both freshman. Early on in the match, it’s an absolute free-for-all. But ultimate, Graff claims the advantage by flipping Hernandez topsy-turvy, there’s a pair of points for the Cardinal.

Now keep in mind, the women are freestyle wrestling – meaning, they will reset if the action stalls on the net. The point system is different as well – as Graff picks up four point because she took Hernandez from her feet, directly to her back. And that seals a tech fall – winning 12-2

North Central’s Abby Eisenbeis up next at 116 pounds, taking on Johnvinique Porter and check out this heel pick by one of the Cardinals two juniors! Gets Porter to the mat for a quick two points

A little later on in the match and Eisenbeis goes back to the same move and gets the same result. Eisenbeis doesn’t concede a single point – winning by tech fall 10-0. Cardinals forfeiting the 101 and 123 pound weight classes so NCC trails on the big scoreboard 11-8.

And that’s when we find Amanda Martinez, the other North Central junior, taking on Heavynne Jerez at 130. Martinez has already gone for and gotten the single leg grab and then puts Jerez on the mat. And before the first period is over, Martinez shoots for the double leg and will secure a 10-0 win and a tech fall. NCC now up 12-11.

Up next, Asia Nguyen-Smith at 136, taking on CJ Bush. And just 20 seconds in, Nguyen-Smith gets the leg grab and spins for the takedown, nearly finishing with a pin. But then, just 10 seconds later, the official will tap the mat and the Cardinals have the first fall of the night – 5 points and a 17-11 lead.

After a forfeit at 143, Melea Palahniuk gets Sam Bush (not related) at 155. Half a minut in and Palahniuk drives Bush into the mat and the corrals her for the pin. Second straight fall and North Central leads 22-16 with just two matches to go.

At 170, Yelena Makoyed is undefeated at 6-0 – taking on Zanaya Shropshire. Already with a 2-0 lead, Makoyed flattens her opponent in the middle of Gregory Arena before going to work trying to garner the pin… eventually, she does just that. Another fall and the Cardinals have officially locked in a win – up 27-16.

Final bout of the night pits Angelina Kirkpatrick against Jezebel Pardo at 191. And the Highlanders will pick up some points and Pardo gets the fall… but North Central wins it’s first ever home dual – topping MacMurray 27-21.

Produced by Naperville Community Television.