WARD TAKES FIRST AGAIN; TWO OTHERS PLACE AT OTTAWA OPEN

OTTAWA, Kan. – In her second competition as an Avila Eagle, Haley Ward took first place for the second time on Saturday at the Ottawa Open. She was joined by Chloe Taylor in fifth and Sara Soureshjani in sixth as Avila women's wrestlers who shined early in the 2025 season.

Ward, the NAIA's No. 7 wrestler in the 207-pound class, went 3-0 on Saturday, picking up two wins via tech fall and a third off a 5-0 decision. Ward is now 7-0 in her Avila career.

Chloe Taylor, a junior from Platte City, finished her competition going 2-2 in the 131-pound class, good for fifth place, notching both of her wins via fall in a combined two minutes and 21 seconds.

Avila's other placer was Sara Soureshjani in the 160-pound division. Soureshjani went 2-3 across the state line, winning from a tech fall and a pin.

The Eagles other win on the day came from Jaclyn Riedinger, who picked up a victory via fall in the 138-pound class.

A full list of brackets and results from the Ottawa Open can be found at FloWrestling.com.

Avila has a quick turnaround, traveling to Wichita on Tuesday for a dual with Friends at 7 PM.

 (photo credit: Jared Lainhart)