Benitez Makes History as Fresno State’s First National Champion at NCWA Championships
SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. — February 26–28, 2026
Fresno State traveled to Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana to compete in the NCWA National Championships, closing out the season on the sport’s biggest stage.
In a weekend that marked a turning point for the program, one performance defined it all.
Jocelynn Benitez, a Central Valley native who chose to stay home and represent her city, took a chance on a program still in the process of being built. What followed was a season—and a final performance—that left no doubt.
From the first whistle of the year to the final match under the lights, Benitez proved herself against all levels of competition. Whether it was NCAA, NAIA, or NCWA opponents, the outcome remained the same.
At Nationals, that dominance reached its peak.
Benitez put together a commanding run through the bracket, finishing it in emphatic fashion to claim the 103-pound National Championship. With the victory, she becomes the first women’s national champion in Fresno State history and the first national champion in the history of the Fresno State NCWA Wrestling program.
“Getting to experience winning on the elevated stage is something I can definitely get used to,” said head coach Jovany Gonzalez. “It’s been an amazing journey to be a part of seeing Josie represent and put Fresno State on the map.”
Her title is more than just an individual accomplishment—it’s a milestone moment for a program built on giving local athletes an opportunity to stay home, compete at a high level, and build something of their own.
The Bulldogs saw additional success on the women’s side as Lilian Busnardo earned All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at 138 pounds, capping off a strong late-season surge. Along with her performance on the mat, Busnardo was also named an Academic All-American, posting a 3.5+ cumulative GPA.
“It was an amazing experience to see the growth Lilian went through in the final stretch of the season and see her wrestle to her potential,”Gonzalez said. “She turned it on at the right tournament and earned her spot on the podium. We’re so proud of her.”
With a national champion, multiple All-American honors, and continued momentum, Fresno State leaves Shreveport with more than just results—they leave with proof that the program is arriving on the national stage.
Tournament Recap
141 lbs — Emmanuel Plascencia
Plascencia opened his tournament by defeating Xavier Reyes (North Texas) by fall, followed by another pin fall victory over Bronson Branch (RPI). He would drop his next match against #6 seed Steven Dindl (Southern Carolina). His tournament would come to a close in a loss to Sam Sutton (Tarleton State).
103 lbs — Jocelynn Benitez (Champion)
Benitez opened with a first-round bye before defeating Danelly Rodriguez (Florida State) and Danica Zenhye (High Point) by fall. In the semifinals, she defeated Kaelynn Seidl (UNLV) by technical fall. In the finals, she pinned #2 seed Emma Graves (Tarleton State) to win the 103-pound National Championship.
124 lbs — Araceli Zeferino
Zeferino received a first-round bye before dropping her first match to Navaeh Santiago (STCC). She bounced back with a medical forfeit win over Samantha Sherman (Florida A&M). Her tournament came to a close in a loss to Valkyrie Shambry (Oregon).
138 lbs — Lilian Busnardo (6th Place)
Busnardo received a first-round bye before falling to #2 seed Alea Paz (Florida State). She rebounded with falls over Hailey Johnson (Grand Valley State) and Dayna Endelin (Washington State). She defeated Mya Rashed (Grand Canyon) with a last-second takedown in the blood round to earn All-American status. Busnardo went on to defeat Olivia Probasco (Washington State) before falling to Kali Watson (Utah Tech). She finished sixth after a loss to Gwendolyn Tomkins (Menlo).
145 lbs — Gabriela Flores
Flores received an opening-round bye before dropping her first match to #1 seed Katherine Stewart (Central Florida). She earned a fall over Elizabeth Shoemaker (Liberty) after a consolation bye before being eliminated by Paige Taasan Ultu (Ottawa Arizona).
