MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced the six women's wrestling Region Wrestlers of the Month today. Following a solid month of February, Aaliyah Payne-Parris of Sacred Heart University, Virginia Foard of King University, Nyla Burgess of Adrian College, Ngao Shoua Whitethorn of UW-Stevens Point, Sarah Zimmerman of Simpson College, and Isabella Morales of Colorado Mesa University took home the awards for the shortened month.
Region I – Aaliyah Payne-Parris (101 pounds – Sacred Heart)
She finished runner-up at the Frostburg State University Bobcat Open, where she went 3-1 on the day. Payne-Parris added a win in the regular season finale against Western New England University to finish the month with a record of 4-1 leading into the regional championships.
Region II – Virginia Foard (123 pounds – King)
Foard won the Bobcat Open where half of the field was ranked, earning wins over sixth-ranked Alexandra Fitzgerald of Sacred Heart and fourth-ranked teammate Montana DeLawder. All five of her wins in the month came by technical fall, four 10-0 and one 11-0.
Region III – Nyla Burgess (155 pounds – Adrian)
Burgess finished second at the Division II National Invitational, falling only to fourth-ranked Nina Makem of Augsburg University in the championship match. She avenged a loss from earlier in the season by pinning Sarina Bertram of North Central College in the semifinals.
Region IV – Ngao Shoua Whitethorn (130 pounds – UW-Stevens Point)
Whitethorn won the Division III National Invitational championship with three pins and a technical fall victory. Her pin in the final came over a previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Kylie Rule of Wartburg College.
Region V – Sarah Zimmerman (109 pounds – Simpson)
Zimmerman finished runner-up at the Division III National Invitational with three wins. She took her first win by technical fall before reaching the final with a pin of Riley Morrison of Trine University.
Region VI – Isabella Morales (109 pounds – Colorado Mesa)
Morales claimed the 109-pound title at the inaugural Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Women's Wrestling Championship after moving up from 101 pounds. She defeated her teammate and previously ranked Adriana Gomez 5-2 in the semifinals before earning a technical fall over seventh-ranked Ivy Threatful of Simon Fraser University in the final, 14-2. Morales is now 16-6 on the season, splitting time between 101 and 109 pounds.
FEBRUARY REGIONAL WRESTLERS OF THE MONTH
Region I – Aaliyah Payne-Parris (101 pounds – Sacred Heart)
Region II – Virginia Foard (123 pounds – King)
Region III – Nyla Burgess (155 pounds – Adrian)
Region IV – Ngao Shoua Whitethorn (130 pounds – UW-Stevens Point)
Region V – Sarah Zimmerman (109 pounds – Simpson)
Region VI – Isabella Morales (109 pounds – Colorado Mesa)
All six are now eligible for National Wrestler of the Month, which will be announced on Thursday.
