Maddy Barton, Julia Chambers

Women's Wrestling 10/21/2026 12:00:00 PM Ashlyn Wightman - Assistant Sports Information Director

Quincy Picked Fourth in GLVC Women's Wrestling Preseason Poll

QUINCY, Ill. - Quincy University women's wrestling has been picked to finish fourth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason poll, earning 21 points as the Hawks prepare to build on a historic 2025-26 campaign.

The preseason poll is selected by the league's head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own team.

McKendree leads the seven-team poll with 36 points, followed by Grand Valley State with 31. Northern Michigan sits just ahead of Quincy in third with 25 points, while the Hawks round out the top four.

Quincy will enter the season under the leadership of head coach Jeff Haley, who begins his fifth season guiding the program.

Coming off the most successful season in program history, the Hawks have established themselves as a growing presence on the national stage.

Quincy finished ninth out of 54 teams at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships, scoring 41 team points while sending wrestlers to the national tournament. The Hawks also climbed as high as No. 9 nationally during the season and earned three victories over nationally ranked opponents.

The historic campaign was highlighted by Xochitl Mota-Pettis capturing the 124-pound national championship, becoming the first individual national champion in Quincy women's wrestling history.

Additionally, Maddy Barton and Alexandra Tchekounova each recorded two victories at the national championships.

Experienced Leaders Return

Quincy returns a strong group of experienced wrestlers who helped establish the program's success last season.

Senior Sereena Baca leads the returning group after putting together an impressive junior campaign, finishing with a team-best 32-15 overall record. Baca recorded 17 falls and seven technical falls, and earned tournament titles .She also finished fourth at the NCAA Women's Wrestling Regional No. 5.

Maddy Barton returns for her senior season at 138 pounds after another successful year on the mat. Barton finished last season with a 24-15 record and earned five victories over nationally ranked opponents. She placed second at the NCAA Regional No. 5 to qualify for the national championships.

Barton also reached a major career milestone, becoming one of the first two wrestlers in program history to surpass 100 career victories.

The Hawks will benefit from the continued leadership of their veteran roster, including Mota-Pettis and two-time All-American Pendergrass, who joins the coaching staff this season.

Julia Chambers, Alexandra Tchekounova and other returning contributors provide additional experience as Quincy looks to maintain its competitive depth across the lineup.

New Faces Join the Program

Along with its returning talent, Quincy welcomes eight freshmen to the program, adding new depth and opportunities for growth throughout the roster.

The newcomers will have the opportunity to learn alongside an experienced group that has already competed at the highest levels of collegiate women's wrestling.

Under Haley's leadership, Quincy continues to build on the foundation established over its first four years while working toward another successful postseason run.

Quincy is scheduled to open its 2026-27 campaign at the Luther Hill Open on November 1 in Indianola, Iowa.

2026-27 GLVC Women's Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll