Pugh Earns Freestyle All-American Honors at NCWA Women's Nationals
ST. GEORGE, Utah. — February 1, 2025
The Fresno State Women's Wrestling team returned to the mats less than 24 hours after completing the NCWA Regional Duals for the NCWA Women's Freestyle National Championships. The tournament featured freestyle wrestling, the international style used in Olympic competition, and provided a second opportunity for NCWA women's wrestlers to earn All-American honors.
Representing the Bulldogs were sophomore Natalia Villalobos (117), freshman Valeria Mendoza (124), and freshman Karma Pugh (131), who each battled through their respective brackets against many of the top women's wrestlers in the NCWA.
Leading the way for Fresno State was Pugh, who earned a third-place finish at 131 pounds to become an NCWA Freestyle All-American. The freshman continued her impressive weekend by battling through a competitive bracket and securing one of the highest finishes of her young collegiate career. The performance marked Fresno State's lone All-American finish at the event and added another accolade to an already promising first season.
Mendoza also put together a strong tournament, finishing sixth at 124 pounds, while Villalobos earned a seventh-place finish at 117 pounds. Together, the trio helped Fresno State close out a challenging weekend of competition on a positive note.
Tournament Recap
117 lbs – Natalia Villalobos (7th Place)
Villalobos opened the tournament with a fall over Lilli Agadjanyan (Western Washington) before finishing seventh in the bracket.
124 lbs – Valeria Mendoza (6th Place)
Mendoza recorded falls over Teya Ielati (Utah Tech) and Isabella Edwards (Utah Tech) en route to a sixth-place finish.
131 lbs – Karma Pugh (3rd Place, All-American)
Pugh earned NCWA Freestyle All-American honors with a third-place finish, highlighted by victories over Destiny Henderson (Colorado State), Rowan Kolar (Western Washington), and Diala Haro (Washington State).
Next Up
Fresno State returns to action on February 8 when the Bulldogs travel to Atherton, California, for a dual against the Menlo Oaks.
