Trojans' Smith becomes 2-time all-American

COUNCIL BLUFFS - Valerie Smith became NIACC's first two-time all-American women's wrestler Saturday at the Mid-America Center. Smith, who is from Old Hickory, Tenn., placed sixth at 235 pounds at the NJCAA women's national invitational.

Smith placed fourth at the 2023 national invitational in the Trojans' initial season of women's wrestling.

On Saturday, Southeast CC's Kiara Boldridge pinned Smith in one minute, 34 seconds in the national semifinals giving Smith her first loss of the season.

In the consolation rounds, Smith was pinned by Snow's Arianah Cowgur and Carl Albert State's Gabby Watson.

On Friday, Smith (11-3) moved to the semifinals with a pair of falls over Joliet's Fernanda Miranda and Iowa Central's Breanna Salgado.

Smith's NJCAA national invitational (235 pounds)

Smith pinned Fernanda Miranda (Joliet), 1:10; Smith pinned Breanna Salgado (Iowa Central), :30; Kiara Boldridge (Southeast CC) pinned Smith, 1:34; Arianah Cowgur (Snow) pinned Smith, :52; Gabby Watson (Carl Albert State) pinned Smith, 2:57.

2024-25 record: 11-3 with 9 falls.

Career record: 17-7 with 15 falls.

NIACC's all-Americans

2023

Chiara Barbieri (101) - 3rd

Laken Lienhard (143) - 4th

Valerie Smith (235) - 4th

Tatiana Hernandez (109) - 6th

2025

Valerie Smith (235) - 6th