CHARLESTON, S.C. — No. 2 Iowa women’s wrestling closed the Throwdown on the Yorktown with a narrow 22-20 loss to No. 7 Grand Valley State on Sunday, November 8, 2026, finishing the event with a 2-1 dual record despite winning its final four matches.
The Hawkeyes won five of the nine bouts contested on the mat, but Grand Valley State claimed two falls and benefited from an Iowa forfeit at 138 pounds to secure the two-point victory.
At 103 pounds, Grand Valley State’s Katey Valdez pinned Sterling Dias at the 6:00 mark. Julia Horger followed with a 7-0 decision over Iowa’s Isabella Marie Gonzales at 110 pounds.
Second-ranked Brianna Gonzalez put Iowa on the scoreboard at 117 pounds, pinning Ana Malovich in 4:32.
Noelani Lutz answered for Grand Valley State at 124 pounds with a 12-10 decision over Harlee Hiller. At 131, Iowa’s Emily Frost built an 8-0 advantage against Naima Ghaffar before losing by fall in 2:16.
Grand Valley State’s Jordyn Fouse then received a forfeit victory at 138 pounds, leaving Iowa facing a difficult comeback.
Top-ranked Reese Larramendy started the rally at 145 pounds with a 7-2 decision over Alexis Lazar. Brooklyn Hays followed at 160 pounds, shutting out Noelle Gaffney in a 5-0 decision.
At 180 pounds, No. 1 Kylie Welker defeated Madison Ward by an 11-0 technical fall. Naomi Simon closed the dual at 207 pounds with a 10-0 technical fall over Aaliyah Grandberry.
Those four consecutive victories narrowed the margin, but the Hawkeyes fell two points short.
Iowa has previously competed in the event, including a 2025 Throwdown on the Yorktown appearance covered by NorthIowaToday.com.
The Hawkeyes will travel to Marshall, Missouri, for the Missouri Valley Open on Friday and Saturday, November 13-14, as they continue their 2026-27 season.