Women’s Wrestling Set for First NJCAA National Championships Appearance
The Colby Trojans Women's Wrestling will look to cap an impressive inaugural season this weekend as they compete at the NJCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships on March 6–7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Colby Trojans Women's Wrestling will look to cap an impressive inaugural season this weekend as they compete at the NJCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships on March 6–7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Currently ranked No. 7 in the nation, Colby enters the national tournament with momentum after a series of strong performances over the past several weeks. The Trojans have established themselves as one of the top programs in junior college wrestling during their first season of competition.
Leading the charge for Colby is 138-pound standout Destiny Gonzalez, who enters the tournament ranked No. 2 nationally in her weight class. Joining her near the top of the rankings is 207-pound powerhouse Catherine Dutton, who also holds the No. 2 national ranking. Dutton has been dominant down the stretch, including an undefeated run at the Women's Wrestling Coaches Association Duals. She continued that momentum with a third-place finish at the Cerritos Open.
At 160 pounds, Kaylen McAtee brings another ranked presence to the Colby lineup. Currently No. 6 in the national rankings, McAtee also placed third at the Cerritos Open and has been a key contributor to the Trojans' team scoring throughout the season. As a team, Colby has totaled 30 national ranking points, placing them firmly among the NJCAA's elite programs heading into the championship event.
Other individuals set to represent the Trojans at the national tournament include Cristina Palacio Martinez at 103 pounds, Audrie Felkins at 110 pounds, Emma Parker at 131 pounds, Jarine Nieto at 138 pounds, and Atavia Cain at 145 pounds. Felkins previously held the No. 5 national ranking in her weight class earlier this season, while Parker was tied for fifth nationally in the previous poll at 131 pounds. Together, the group adds valuable depth to the Colby lineup as the Trojans look to make an impact.
The tournament will begin Friday morning with preliminary rounds before moving into quarterfinals later in the evening. Championship semifinals are scheduled for Saturday morning, with the national championship finals set for Saturday evening following opening ceremonies and the Parade of All-Americans.
Colby will also attempt to challenge the dominance of Indian Hills Warriors Women's Wrestling, who have captured three consecutive NJCAA national championships and remain the only junior college program to win a national title since women's competition began during the 2020–21 season.
With multiple nationally ranked wrestlers and a season full of momentum, the Trojans will look to make a statement on the national stage and bring home All-American honors, and potentially a national championship, in their first trip to the NJCAA Championships.