Morningside 'amped' in first home dual in program history

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Despite a hard-fought 25-20 loss to Buena Vista in their home opener on Thursday, the Morningside University women's wrestling team couldn't hide their eager smiles for what's to come.

The wrestlers, like Nevaeh Hast, hardly slept the night before because of their excitement. The Mustangs were ready to wrestle at home for the first time in program history.

"The girls were amped up, and that's why the matches were as short as they were," Mustangs head coach Jordan Cliff said. "I think the wait was definitely worth it."

Morningside sent four ladies to the mat in the dual against the Beavers, and each one came off the mat with a win by fall.

"I've been nervous about it, because this is history," Hast said. "We made history tonight. We relied on the work we put in. It was so exciting. We haven't been wrestling as long, so to see the progress we've made is crazy. I'm so incredibly proud of these girls."

Josie Biffar was the first Mustang to hit the mat at 138 pounds. She trailed 10-5 early in the match against Shania Graybill, but with 1 minute, 44 seconds left in the second period, the Blair, Neb., sophomore recorded the first home pin in program history.

Cliff knew that an early deficit wasn't going to faze Biffar.

"Josie is a fighter, and that's one of my favorite characteristics about her," Cliff said. "She's going to go violently until the match is done."
Hast, a Sioux City East alum, controlled her 207-pound match against Magalie Mogiga with four early points before securing her first home pin with 42 seconds left in the first period.

Elizabeth Rubio took the mat at 124 pounds against Evelyn Kramer, and she wasted little time getting points on the board. With just 35 seconds left in the first, she led 8-3, and that included a four-point move within the first 10 seconds. Then, with 17 seconds remaining in that same period, Rubio recorded the pin.

"Elizabeth has a few more puzzle pieces to put together, but when she does, she's going to be very dangerous," Cliff said. "She technically is not scared of anything, and that's rare to see in wrestlers."

Adilene Delgadillo ended the night by winning by forfeit at 131, then wrestled at 138 in exhibition. Delgadillo commanded that match, pinning Graybill in 40 seconds.

"Adilene was arguably the most excited to get down here tonight," Cliff said. "She's always a high-energy wrestler."

Morningside won't compete at home again this season, but will be back in action next weekend at the York Open.

"When we're able to walk away like this and get the big pins, and maybe not the win in the dual, but the wins on the mat are what's important," Cliff said. "It's a great blessing to coach these girls and their effort was unmatched. This is a massive morale boost."