Firebirds Claim Three Wins in Mensah's Coaching Debut

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Carthage women's wrestling team opened the 2025-26 season on Saturday at the Adrian Duals. The Firebirds competed in four duals on the day against Adrian, Siena Heights, Delaware State, and Hiram. After opening the day with a loss, the Firebirds bounced back with three wins to close out the day. This marks the first three wins at Carthage for Head Coach Tarkyia Mensah.

ADRIAN 36, CARTHAGE 7
Karina Torres got things started for the Firebirds at 103, defeating Vy Tran with a 6-0 fall (1:16). Adrian got on the board at 117 with Makayla Matson earning an 8-0 fall (1:54) over Lola Bianco. Rebecca Di Silvestro was defeated by Carleigh Czerneski with a 4-0 fall (0:43) in the 124 bout. Alaina Hollendoner dropped a 7-4 decision in the 131 bout against Sophia Renteria. Mason Harsch won by tech fall (11-0, 2:26) at 138 over Alexis Hozeska. Zionah Gardner won by fall (4-0, 0:48) over Abigail Jutrzonka in the 145 bout. Paige Willman won by fall (4-3, 2:18) over Ella Harpold at 160. Mia Gaetjens won by fall (7-0, 1:15) over Josie Hosea in the 180 bout. Raven Aldridge won by fall (8-0, 2:02) over Sara Willis.

CARTHAGE 27, SIENA HEIGHTS 20
Aveona Edwwards earned a fall (4-0, 0:10) victory over Torres at 110. In the 128 bout, Nyvaeh Wendt earned a win by fall (9-0, 2:19) over Di Silvestro. Athena Calderon used a 10-7 decision to earn the win in the 138 bout over Hozeska. Alexus Shaneyfelt defeated Jutrzonka by tech fall (11-1, 3:36) in the 145 bout. Phoenix Waters claimed the 160 bout with a 7-2 decision over Harpold. Hosea defeated Emily Eakens in the 180 bout with a 10-0 tech fall (2:28). The Firebirds claimed wins by forfeit in bouts 103, 117, 131, and 207 to claim the dual victory.

CARTHAGE 25, DELAWARE STATE 23
Milena Chavarria defeated Crystal Gutierrez at 103 with a fall (0:54). Icart Galumette defeated Lola Bianco with a fall (0:55) in the 117 bout. Juliana Diaz earned a 10-0 tech fall (1:22) win over Di Silvestro. Louise Juitt won the 145 bout with a 10-0 tech fall (1:45) over Jutrzonka. Harpold earned a win by fall (1:20) over Aniyah McIver at 160. Jehieli Velez won by fall (2:01) at 180 against Hosea. Willis defeated Christina Lisboa by fall (2:15) in the 207 bout. The Firebirds earned forfeit wins in bouts 110, 131, and 138.

CARTHAGE 31, HIRAM 14
Cortez fell to Lexi Doerflinger in the 110 bout with a 10-0 tech fall (1:47). Torres claimed the 117 bout with a fall (0:25) victory over Autumn Shoff. Bianco claimed a 9-9 decision over Kretina Rai at 124. Jutrzonka won by fall (1:00) at 145 against Emrie Fink. Harpold won a 4-4 decision over Leighna Prater in the 160 bout. Hosea dropped an 8-0 decision in 180 to Cicelly Cullins, while Emily Lorenzen won by fall (3:14) over Willis in the 207 bout. The Firebirds claimed wins by forfeit in bouts 103, 131, and 138.

We're a young squad of freshman and sophomore," said Mensah. "So mindset is key when it comes to unlocking the physicality this sport needs. We showed our youth a few times, but you could still see the whole team wanting to buy into the culture; being relentless and aspiring for greatness. Today's results reflected this team's efforts and hard work- they battled! I'm proud of them! More to see tomorrow!"

The Firebirds (3-1) return to action on Sunday, Nov. 9 as the team competes at the Adrian Invite in Adrian, Mich. Carthage women's wrestling returns to Tarble Arena on Thursday, Nov. 20 as the squad hosts North Central (Ill.) at 6 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.

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Players Mentioned

Rebecca Di Silvestro: 5' 4"; Sophomore; 110

Alaina Hollendoner: 5' 2"; Sophomore; 124

Karina Torres: 5' 2"; Junior

Lola Bianco: Freshman

Crystal Gutierrez: Freshman

Ella Harpold: Freshman

Josie Hosea: Freshman

Alexis Hozeska: Freshman

Abigail Jutrzonka: Freshman

Sara Willis: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Rebecca Di Silvestro
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; 110

Alaina Hollendoner
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; 124

Karina Torres
: 5' 2"; Junior

Lola Bianco
: Freshman

Crystal Gutierrez
: Freshman

Ella Harpold
: Freshman

Josie Hosea
: Freshman

Alexis Hozeska
: Freshman

Abigail Jutrzonka
: Freshman

Sara Willis
: Freshman