NIACC's Smith moves to quarterfinals

COUNCIL BLUFFS - Still perfect.

NIACC's Valerie Smith pinned Joliet's Fernanda Miranda in one minute, 10 seconds Friday morning in their second-round 235-pound match at the NJCAA national invitational at the Mid-Americ Center.

Smith, who is from Old Hickory, Tenn., advances to face Iowa Central's Breanna Salgado in Friday night's quarterfinals. Salgado advanced to the quarterfinals with a pair of byes.

Smith owns two victories over Salgado this season in 58 seconds of wrestling. Smith pinned Salgado in :32 in this season's dual meet against Iowa Central and Smith stuck Salgado in :28 in the ICCAC championship match.

Smith, who placed fourth at 235 pounds in 2023, is seeking to become NIACC's first-ever women's wrestling national champion.

Smith enters Friday night's semifinals with a record of 10-0 with eight falls and a career mark of 16-4 with 14 falls.

The semifinals are set for Saturday morning and the title match will be held Saturday night.

NIACC's Keira Suro won her opening match at 138 pounds 5-0 over Carl Albert State's Emery Anderson. Suro then dropped her next two matches.

At 117 pounds, NIACC's Jenesis Sanders dropped her opening match but then topped Iowa Lakes' Kylie Hessenius 4-2. Sanders then dropped a 10-0 decision to Alejandra Loredo of Southeast CC to be eliminated from the invitational.