Dutton Leads Colby to Sixth-Place Finish at NJCAA Coaches Association National Duals

RICHFIELD, Ut. — On a stage that mirrored the intensity and depth of the NJCAA national championships, the Colby Trojans women's wrestling team announced itself as a national contender at the NJCAA Coaches Association Women's National Duals, opening the event with three straight victories and finishing sixth overall out of 13 teams Saturday (Jan. 24) in Utah. 

At the center of Colby's impressive run was Catherine Dutton, who delivered a dominant, undefeated performance throughout the day. Wrestling between the 207- and 235-pound weight classes, Dutton was nearly untouchable, piling up falls and technical falls while consistently anchoring the Trojans at the back end of the lineup. 

The Trojans set the tone early in their first dual against down the road rival  Fort Hays Tech Northwest. Colby established control immediately and built separation behind steady bonus-point production. Audrie Felkins jump-started the lineup with a fall, while Destiny Gonzalez and Atavia Cain added crucial points through forfeits. Kaylen McAtee continued the momentum with a commanding technical fall, and Dutton sealed the dual from the final position as Colby cruised to a 29–15 victory.

Colby's confidence only grew in its second dual of the day against Iowa Lakes Community College, a matchup that swung repeatedly before the Trojans pulled away late. Cristina Palacio Martinez ignited the mat with a blistering 26-second fall to open the dual, followed shortly by another pin from Felkins. Iowa Lakes responded in the middle weights, but Colby answered with authority. Gonzalez dominated her bout with a technical fall, Jazrine Nieto added a pin, Cain closed her match in just 19 seconds, and Dutton once again delivered at the top, securing a fall that locked in a 29–25 win.

Still unbeaten and rolling, the Trojans carried their momentum into the third dual against Southwestern Oregon Community College. With the dual tight entering the upper weights, Colby leaned on its depth and composure. Gonzalez and Cain both produced technical falls to swing the score, McAtee electrified the bench with a pin, and Emma Hahn followed with another fall. Dutton put an emphatic exclamation point on the match, ending the dual with a dominant technical fall as Colby completed a 28–24 victory and a perfect 3–0 start.

Colby's streak was halted in the fourth dual against Umpqua Community College, one of the tournament's toughest lineups. Despite a decision win from Jazrine Nieto and additional points from Palacio Martinez and Dutton, Umpqua capitalized in several closely contested bouts to pull away and hand the Trojans their first loss of the day.

The Trojans regrouped for a placement matchup against Murray State with sixth place on the line. The dual remained competitive deep into the lineup, highlighted by Gonzalez's continued bonus-point production, a clutch fall from McAtee, and yet another pin from Dutton in the final weight. Murray State ultimately edged Colby 33–21, narrowly pushing the Trojans into the sixth-place position.

Colby closed the tournament against Snow College. Cain secured a hard-fought fall at 160 pounds, while Dutton once again imposed her will, recording a technical fall to cap an exceptional day on the mat.

Across six duals against elite national competition, Colby showcased balance, depth, and resilience throughout the lineup. Cain, Gonzalez, McAtee, Felkins, and Palacio Martinez all delivered critical wins, but it was Dutton who stood as the defining presence of the tournament for the Trojans. Wrestling multiple weight classes, closing duals, and remaining undefeated, she consistently provided momentum and separation when Colby needed it most.

By the end of the day, Colby's sixth-place finish stood as a testament to the program's growth in just their first season. Against one of the strongest fields in NJCAA women's wrestling, the Trojans proved they belong among the country's top programs,  leaving Richfield battle-tested, confident, and firmly on the national radar. The Trojans now have their eyes set on another dual against Fort Hays Tech Northwest. The dual is set for Wednesday (Jan. 28) at 8:00 PM CST in Goodland, KS.