Las Vegas, NV - The Lady Chokers stepped on the mat with some very good teams last week at the Annual Las Vegas Desert Duals hosted by Wartburg College. This event has been going on for many years but this was the second year for the women's portion and GHC's first visit. The Chokers had their hands full from the onset with the first match being against the #1 NCWA ranked Ottawa University out of Arizona.  The GHC squad was only able to muster one win in the lopsided dual losing 37-5. Marissa Riojas (Toppenish, WA) notched a 12-0 technical fall at 130lbs to record the teams only points.  In the second match of the day the Chokers wrestled the #3 NCAA ranked Mesa Colorado University.  The women were more competitive in each match but once again defeated 41-6. Katie Gakin (Aberdeen, WA) was teams lone victor at 170lbs.

In the following round GHC faced Wayland Baptist University (NAIA) and this was a better matchup for the team.  Each match was evenly contested but the team eventually lost 28-20. Aleyda Rodriguez (Sunnyside, WA), Marissa Riojas, Marinthia Mendoza (Granger, UT) and Reneah Ureste (Seattle, WA) all recorded wins in the dual. In the final round of the day, GHC faced off with Schreiner University (NCAA). The team picked up three pins in the dual by Riojas, Gakin and Ureste but it was not enough with the team falling 25-15.  "It was a very good experience for our squad to wrestle this caliber of programs from around the country. I felt that we gained valuable experience that will lead to future success for us down the road as we prepare for our National Tournament," said Coach Kevin Pine.

Marissa Riojas was the teams top performer going 4-1.  She was able to pick up an extra match against Colorado Mesa winning by technical fall 16-6. 

The Chokers take to mat next at the Mat Cat Invitational at Linfield University January 8th.