JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Oklahoma City University's Avery Ashley and Sophia Smith boasted of fifth-place finishes in the NAIA women's wrestling championships.
Ashley came through with a fifth-place showing at 116 pounds, while Smith took fifth at 123. The Stars placed 18th with 30.5 points.
Ashley overwhelmed Josie Bartishofski of Jamestown (N.D.) 11-1 in the 116-pound fifth-place contest. Ashley, a freshman majoring in university studies from Lucas, Texas, edged Jamesa Robinson of Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 2-0, but fell to Missouri Baptist's Juliana Diaz 12-8. Ashley completed her freshman campaign 26-6.
Smith reeled in fifth with a 3-1 win over Catharine Campbell from Grand View (Iowa). Smith, a junior philosophy major from Janesville, Wis., shut out Ashley Whetsel of Missouri Valley 10-0 before falling to Haley Narahara from Menlo (Calif.) 8-2, putting her in the fifth-place bout. Smith went to 25-10 on the season.
