OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's wrestling team will start their season at the Falcon Open on Friday in Wichita, Kansas.

The Braves are coming off a great season in 2024-25. Ottawa finished 11^th overall at NAIA Nationals with 66 points. Darby Weidl made it all the way to the National Championship and earned All-American honors in the 160lb weight division, Weidl came up short in the Championship to the #1 overall seed Latifah Mcbryde (Life). Hannah Jackson also earned All-American honors by placing fourth overall in the 207lb weight class, Jackson won four matches at the NAIA wrestling championships.

11 Braves qualified for the NAIA National Championships in 2024-25. Aynsley Fink, Peyton Hand, Livia Swift, Siara Arrington, Hannah Jackson, Darby Weidl and Kena Leonard are all returning for the Braves.

Ottawa is ranked eighth nationally, this is the highest ranking in program history. Aynsley Fink is ranked 10^th overall in the 110lb weight division. Addison Saporito is 17^th in the 117lb weight class. Peyton Hand is 13^th in the 124lb. Aileen Lester and Kaydence Bonewell are ranked in the 138lb weight class, Lester is 15^th and Bonewell is 17^th. In the 145lb weight class, Livia Swift is 11^th. Siara Arrington is seventh in the 180lb weight class. Hannah Jackson is second in the 207lb weight class and Kena Leonard is sixth in the 207lb as well.

Dalton Weidl returns for his fifth season at the helm of the women's wrestling program. He was named KCAC Coach of the Year in 2024-25. He is leading Ottawa to their highest ranking in program history.

Ottawa has 24 returners on the 25-26 squad. Daija Anderson, Siara Arrington, Kaydence Bonewell, Jordan Dempsey, Allie Dillon, Lainey Farley, Aynsley Fink, Haley Flores, Macey Gross, Peyton Hand, Adelynn Howat, Ciera Hutton-Spieker, Hannah Jackson, GiGi Jones, Kena Leonard, Aileen Lester, Breanna Neal, Madison Rich, Shae Salinas, Addison Saporito, Faith Spicer, Livia Swift, Daityn Webb and Darby Weidl.

There are 13 newcomers on the roster for the Braves. Jayden Baca, Sydnee Bretthauer, Emily Britt, Shiann Famero, Krista Howland, Sienna Jones, KyLee Lindsley, Danika Metcalfe, Sigrun Metzger, Maia Santos, Justice Thomas, Kaitlyn Thorn and Cana Whitney.