NIACC's Lienhard, Smith win titles at Luther Open

DECORAH – The No. 8 NIACC women's wrestling team, in its first-year of existence, crowned two champions and had one second-place finish at the Luther College Open on Saturday.

Earning first-place finishes for the Trojans were Laken Lienhard (143) and Valerie Smith (235). NIACC's Ravyn Krachey placed second at 170 pounds.

Smith and Krachey both picked up their first collegiate wins at Saturday's tournament.

Lienhard (5-3) gained a 10-0 technical fall over Quincy's Jazmine Garcia in the 143-pound title match.

Lienhard moved to the finals with a 8-4 decision over Iowa Central's Alexandra Byrne. Lienhard picked up an 11-1 technical fall over Cornell College's Olivia Cotton in her quarterfinal match.

Smith (2-1) pinned Iowa Central's Addison Hershberger twice to win the two-person 235-pound bracket. Smith stuck Hershberger in 30 and 35 seconds in their two matches.

Krachey (2-4) was pinned by Augustana's Sawyer Graham in the 170-pound championship match in 3:37.

Krachey pinned Iowa Central's Katie Schlosser in 1:55 to move to the title match. Krachey stopped Quincy's Alexa Valdez 8-5 in her quarterfinal match.

NIACC's Paige Baker (3-4) placed third at 130 pounds. Baker pinned Iowa Central's Hadlie Hood in 4:44 in the third-place match.

Baker picked up her first collegiate win with a 12-2 technical fall over Hood in the quarterfinals.

NIACC returns to action Wednesday at home against Iowa Central in its first-ever home dual meet. The meet starts at 6 p.m. in the NIACC Recreation Center.