4 All-Americans, 2 National Champions on women’s wrestling team at Utah Tech

ST. GEORGE — The Trailblazer women finished fourth as a team and featured some notable individual performances at the 2024 National Collegiate Wrestling Championships.

The event was March 14-16 in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana.

As previously reported in St. George News, Utah Tech finished second at the West Coast Conference tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 1-2.

The women’s team qualified eight grapplers for the national event and the wrestlers enjoyed unprecedented success on one of wrestling’s biggest stages.

The Utah Tech women’s wrestling team finished fourth at the 2024 National Collegiate Wrestling Championships, March 14-16, 2024, Shreveport, Louisiana | Photo courtesy Corey Anderson, St. George News

Utah Tech’s Lauren Mills, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the nation going into the event, won every match in the 123-pound division by pin or technical fall, both at nationals and at the WCC tournament. She was selected as Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament for her efforts.

Not to be outdone, Utah Tech’s Tayleigh Robertson won the national championship in the 170-pound division, highlighted by a pin against the No. 1 seed.

Both are national champions and All-Americans.

Carley Neville, wrestling for Utah Tech at 101 pounds, won third-place All-American honors after winning two decisive matches by pin fall and another by major decision.

And Kali Westover capped a strong showing at nationals for Utah Tech. She finished with sixth-place All-American honors in the 130-pound division.

Utah Tech’s Ashley Lavarius and Alexa Camacho, both wrestling in the 155-pound class at nationals, finished eighth and 12th respectively.

The Utah Tech women’s wrestling team finished fourth at the 2024 National Collegiate Wrestling Championships, March 14-16, 2024, Shreveport, Louisiana | Photo courtesy Corey Anderson, St. George News

“Their victories against tough opponents were crucial in bolstering the team’s scores,” Utah Tech head coach Corey Anderson said in an email to St. George News.

Anderson noted that five of the Utah Tech wrestlers finished as Academic All-Americans: Neville, Mills, Westover, Lavarius and Kendra Juarez.

Anderson gave credit to assistant coaches Jeff Guynn, David Howell and Kerry Anderson.

“Under their guidance, the Utah Tech women’s wrestling team has grown into a powerhouse, setting high standards both on and off the mat,” Anderson said, noting that the team’s success this year will inspire future Trailblazers.

Grey’s Harbor won the national championship team trophy. Ottawa (Arizona) placed next and Washington State was third in front of Utah Tech. There were 62 teams in the field.

Utah Tech was the only team in the country to defeat Grey’s Harbor, earlier this year in a dual meet.

Former Crimson Cliffs High School standout Anja Hansen, wrestling in the 136-pound division for Ottawa (Arizona), went undefeated at nationals and finished as an All-American.

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