WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University women's wrestling team will open its 2026-27 dual meet schedule Friday evening when the Hilltoppers welcome Washington & Jefferson College to the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex. First match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

West Liberty enters the matchup following its season-opening appearance at the Tiffin University Open on Sunday, where nine Hilltoppers competed across seven weight classes. Aubrey Bartkowiak led the way with a sixth-place finish at 207 pounds, while Shaniah-Lee Ferreira added a seventh-place showing at 110 pounds.

Bartkowiak put together an impressive run at 207 pounds, recording three consecutive pins to advance to the semifinals. She opened with a fall over Allison Ott in 2:02, followed with a 47-second pin of Destiny Marquez and then defeated Keyonna Vann by fall in 46 seconds. Bartkowiak's championship run ended in the semifinals against Sandra Guerrero, who earned a fall at 1:54, before Bartkowiak went on to finish sixth.

Ferreira also turned in a strong performance at 110 pounds. She recorded victories over Haley Williams and Layken Lively before advancing through the consolation bracket. Ferreira secured seventh place with a 12-10 decision in sudden victory over Fairmont State's Kenaya Mwehu.

The Hilltoppers also received contributions from Abby DiCenzo, who earned a pin and a technical-fall victory at 124 pounds, and Bailey Emery, who opened her tournament at 138 pounds with a 4-2 decision over Lydia Alley. Jamie Shapton and Hazuki Sykes each competed at 180 pounds, with Shapton earning a 5-2 decision and Sykes opening with a victory by fall in 5:53. Sydney Chambers competed at 103 pounds, while Sienna Van Balen and Cailyn Casto rounded out the Hilltopper contingent at 124 and 145 pounds, respectively.

Washington & Jefferson enters Friday's dual after competing in the John Carroll University Round Robin, the first varsity event in program history. The individual-only tournament featured no team scoring, but the Presidents produced several notable performances in their first competition.

Freshman Cora Frederick led the way by winning the 145-pound Navy bracket, pinning all three of her opponents. Her opening-match fall marked the first varsity pin in W&J women's wrestling history. Frederick followed with another pin in just over four minutes before closing out the bracket with a third fall in just under three minutes.

Four Presidents earned runner-up finishes in their respective brackets. Freshman Bailey Bernot placed second in the 180-pound Gold bracket after opening the tournament with a 50-second pin. Classmate Hannah Hornick also finished second at 180 pounds in the Blue bracket. After dropping her opening match, Hornick responded with a 57-second pin and a 10-0 technical fall in just 39 seconds.

Sophomore Natalie Rush earned second place at 207 pounds in the Gold bracket, recording a pin in just under two minutes before falling in her final bout. Freshman Paige Jox also claimed a runner-up finish at 138 pounds in the Gold bracket, bouncing back from an opening loss with a 12-1 technical fall.

W&J also had several other strong performances. Freshman Addie Shaw earned a fall in her third-place bout at 103 pounds in the Blue bracket, while sophomore Lydia Heinrich posted a 2-1 record in the 160-pound Gold division, including a fall in 44 seconds and a 15-6 decision.

Freshman Mia Scalise made program history by recording the first varsity bout victory in W&J women's wrestling history, earning a 12-1 technical fall in her opening match. She went on to finish third in the 124-pound Gold bracket.



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.