LAS VEGAS – Incoming University of Iowa women’s wrestler Nanea Estrella won the 59kg title at the U.S. Senior Nationals on Friday night at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas.
Estrella defeated top-seeded Xochitl Mota-Pettis, 9-3, to claim the title. She took Motta-Pettis to her back in the second period to put an exclamation on the title-winning performance.
The Hawaii native qualifies for the Senior World Team Trials, which will take place May 21-22 at Xtreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
Another incoming Hawkeye, Bella Mir, advanced to the semifinals in the Girls High School Showcase at 144 pounds before battling back to finish third.
Mir outscored her two opponents, 16-0, en route to the semifinals. After dropping her semifinal bout, Mir battled back with two wins, 10-0 and 6-4 over Mia Furman, to earn a bronze.