CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Evergreen State College women's wrestling team opened the NWCA National Duals with a 36-11 loss to Texas Wesleyan University on Friday, Jan. 9 at the UNI Dome. The National Wrestling Coaches Association is sponsoring the meet, including the 16-team NAIA women's bracket.

Evergreen entered the tournament ranked #14 in the NAIA Women's Wrestling Top 20 Poll, while Texas Wesleyan was ranked #9 in the NAIA. With the win, Texas Wesleyan improved to 1-0 in dual meets. Evergreen moved to 3-1 in dual meets this season.

Winners for the Geoducks were Ellabelle Taylor (Jr.) and Shannon Workinger (Sr.). Nizhoni Tallman (Sr.) and Zeta Lee (So.) each picked up a point in the team standings despite losing their matches.

Taylor won in the 124-pound weight class with a fall against Violet De La Cruz. It took Taylor just 19 seconds to record the pin.

Workinger earned a win by technical fall at 160 pounds in just 1:02. She won 10-0 against Faith Vondy of TWU. 

The Rams won five matches with pins. TWU's falls were registered by Nataleigh Zapata at 103 pounds, Elizabeth Duvall at 131 pounds, Samantha Barragan at 138 pounds, Taydem Khamjoi at 180 pounds, and Carla Campos at 207 pounds. Texas Wesleyan also won two matches by technical falls.

In the one match with a regular decision, Gracie Elliott of TWU downed Tallman from Evergreen 7-2. Elliott held a slim 2-1 lead after the first period.

Evergreen will compete against #12-ranked Missouri Valley College in the first round of the consolation bracket at 11:30 a.m. CST / 9:30 a.m. PST today. Missouri Valley lost to #1-ranked Life University (Ga.) 43-2 in the first round. Texas Wesleyan will battle Life in the championship quarterfinals, also at 11:30 a.m. CST / 9:30 a.m. PST.