Trojans' Smith earns ICCAC weekly honor, again

NIACC's Valerie Smith battles Iowa Western's Yoseline Perez in their match on Feb. 5 in the NIACC recreation center.
NIACC's Valerie Smith battles Iowa Western's Yoseline Perez in their match on Feb. 5 in the NIACC recreation center.
February 13, 2025

MASON CITY - For the second straight week, NIACC's Valerie Smith has been selected as the ICCAC women's wrestler of the week.

Smith, a sophomore from Old Hickory, Tenn., earned the award for the week of Feb. 3-9. She also was the league's weekly winner for the week of Jan. 27-Feb. 2.

Last week, Smith, who is ranked second at 235 pounds, topped Iowa Western's eighth-ranked Yoseline Perez, 4-1.

Heading into Saturday's NJCAA Region 11 championships in Council Bluffs, Smith is 7-0 with five falls. She has a career record of 13-4 with 11 falls.

This season, Smith owns wins over the nation's third-ranked wrestler (Carl Albert State College's Gabby Watson), seventh-ranked wrestler (Indian Hills' Kennedi Washington) and eighth-ranked wrestler (Iowa Western's Perez).

After the regional championships, the Trojans will compete at the NJCAA national championships in Council Bluffs on March 7-8.