Everything was a first for the Grand Valley State women’s wrestling team last season. The upstart Lakers were on the cusp of history every time they stepped on the mat. 

First dual win: 44-6 over Northern Michigan on November 16, 2024

First dual loss: 26-17 against North Central on December 8, 2024

First national champions: Sage Mortimer (110) and Katie Lange (138)

First head coach: Jake Short

Grand Valley State had an impressive fourth-place showing at the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships during its inaugural season, thanks to 12 qualifiers, five All-Americans, and two national champs. 

Although it was an important first step for women’s wrestling and the team, Short insists that development takes priority over results. 

“We didn’t look at it as this big picture and that we’re fresh on the scene,” Short said. “We’re trying to make a statement, but what led to our development and success was focusing on the next task at hand. 

“We focused on individual development. We’re always trying to collect data. Whether we won or lost, whether we were in practice and had a bad workout, it was about collecting information to get you better. Every time we stepped on the mat and competed, we got better and learned from it. I think that was a big step. We looked at it like small moments to get better, and I think that showed out there, and a lot of the ladies got better, and that’s all we’re trying to do.”

Grand Valley State will be among a handful of schools competing for a trophy at the inaugural 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships in March. The team has proven talent and a solid group of incoming freshmen, highlighted by U20 World Teamer Jordyn Fouse, who will compete for the 145-pound spot. 

Seniors Mortimer and Lange are the nucleus, and the team will go where they go. Mortimer is moving up to 117 pounds after winning the 110-pound national championship last season. She could face a log jam of talent, highlighted by 2025 All-Americans Yu Sakamoto (McKendree), Karissa Turnwall (Emmanuel), Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa), Alex Waitsman (William Jewell), and Shea Reisel (Dubuque). 

Sakamoto, like Mortimer, is a U23 World champion, and Gonzalez won the 2025 US Open after a fifth-place finish at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. 

Sabrina Nauss (180) is a returning national finalist, Aspen Blasko (124) and Elleni Johnson (160) finished fifth, and Rayana Shahagun and Claire Agostini placed at previous national tournaments. 

Short has options at multiple weights, too. Noelle Gaffney could slot in at 145, 160, or 180, but she is assured of mat time during the season as the team figures out its post-season line-up. Ana Malovich, who was a win away from the podium, might move down to 110 with Mortimer moving up, or she might stay put. 

Throw in Round of 12ers Hannah Palise and Emily Medford, plus former high school stars Fouse, Libby Roberts, Maggie Buurma, and Maddison Ward, and the Lakers are ready to make noise in season two. 

“What will be your culture the second you walk in the door? What are we trying to accomplish here? It’s bigger than just wrestling,” Short said. “It was a ton of fun, and it made us even hungrier and the coaching staff even more eager to learn and grow as ourselves. Even though we did a lot of great things this year, there’s a lot we can take from and get better. A ton. Plenty — especially me.”

2025-26 Grand Valley State Overview

Head coach: Jake Short (second season)

Assistant: Marlynne Deede

2025 NCWWC tournament finish: 4th

2025 NCWWC tournament record: 38-19

2025 NCWWC tournament points: 129.5

2025 dual record: 3-2

Returning All-Americans: 7 (Rayana Sahagun, Sage Mortimer, Aspen Blasko, Katie Lange, Clarie Agostini, Elleni Johnson, Sabrina Nauss)

Last college national champion: Sage Mortimer, Katie Lange (2025)

Highest national tournament finish: 4th (2025)

Highest national team finish under Short: 4th (2025)

Most national placers in a season under Short: 5 (2025)

2025-26 Prospective Line-up

103 Pounds
Rayana Shahagun (7th)

110 Pounds
Ana Malovich
Kiely Tabaldo
Libby Roberts

117 Pounds
Sage Mortimer (3rd, 2nd, 1st)
Ana Malovich
Kiely Tabaldo
Libby Roberts

124 Pounds
Aspen Blasko (5th)
Miriam Hopson

131 Pounds
Hannah Palise
Emily Medford

138 Pounds
Katie Lange (1st-1st)
Emily Medford
Hannah Palise
Skylar Little Soldier

145 Pounds
Jordyn Fouse
Noelle Gaffney
Maggie Buurma
Skylar Little Solider
Claire Agostini (8th)

160 Pounds
Elleni Johnson (5th)
Noelle Gaffney
Maggie Buurma
Maddison Ward

180 Pounds
Sabrina Nauss (2nd)
Noelle Gaffney
Hailee Budrick
Maddison Ward

207 Pounds
Aaliyah Grandberry