IRVING, Texas – The Missouri Baptist University women's wrestling program hit the road this month to compete in the United World Wrestling (UWW) Women's Junior and U23 National Championships and enjoyed the fruits of its labor with one Spartan earning a spot on the U23 National Team. Headlining the trip to Texas was rising sophomore Tiyahna Askew, who finished as runner-up at 68 kg in the U23 National Championship and went 7-4 between the two competitions. Four other Spartans participated in the UWW events.
 
Askew kicked off the U23 Women's Nationals with a pin of Adrianna Orozco of California in 1 minute, 19 seconds. The Lawrenceville, Ga. native also made quick work of her competition in the quarterfinals. After jumping out to a 10-2 advantage over Indiana Tech's Samantha Snow, Askew won by fall (2:34) to advance to the semifinals.
 
In the semifinal match, Askew had to battle from behind for the first time in the 68kg bracket. Down 10-4, the rising sophomore turned the tables on Katerina Lange of Minnesota and picked up her third straight pin with 10 seconds remaining in the first period.
 
While things didn't fall Askew's way in the best-of-three championship final vs. Alyvia Fiske (CA), the Spartan standout still came away with a pretty nice consolation prize. As the silver medalist at 68 kg, Askew earned a spot on the USA Wrestling U23 National Team. Fiske, a 2019 Final X runner-up, U.S. Senior Open Champion and U23 World Team Trials Champion, defeated Askew twice including a 10-0 tech fall in Round 1 and 7-2 decision in Round 2.
 
In addition to the runner-up finish, Askew also placed top-eight in the UWW Junior Nationals events with a 4-2 overall record which was good for a fifth-place finish.
 
Other Spartans recording multiple wins on the week included Jessica Corredor at 50 kg with a pair of wins at Junior Nationals and one during U23 Nationals, as well as Sydney McGhee, who went 1-2 at Juniors and 2-2 at U23 Nationals.
 
UWW Junior Nationals
50 kg – Jessica Corredor – 2 wins, 2 losses
53 kg – Sydney McGhee – 1 win, 2 losses
68 kg – Tiyahna Askew – 4 wins, 2 losses – 5^th Place
72 kg – Jordan Roberts – 2 losses
 
UWW U23 Nationals
50 kg – Jessica Corredor – 1 win, 2 losses
53 kg – Sydney McGhee – 2 wins, 2 losses
68 kg – Tiyahna Askew – 3 wins, 2 losses – 2^nd Place
72 kg – Jordan Roberts – 2 losses
76 kg – Shania Gowan – 1 win, 2 losses