QUINCY, Ill. – In just the fourth season in program history, the Quincy University women's wrestling team delivered a historic campaign that elevated the Hawks onto the national stage while helping usher in a landmark moment for the sport itself.

The Hawks capped the season with a 9th-place finish out of 54 teams at the NCAA Women's Wrestling National Championships, scoring 41.0 team points and showcasing the continued growth of a rapidly ascending program.

Quincy sent four national qualifiers to the championship stage in Xochitl Mota-Pettis (124), Trinity Pendergrass (103), Alexandra Tchekounova (110), and Maddy Barton (131), with each wrestler contributing to one of the most successful seasons in program history.

Leading the charge was Mota-Pettis, who etched her name into Quincy University history by capturing the 124-pound national championship. Mota-Pettis went a perfect 4-0 at the national tournament, defeating three nationally ranked opponents on her way to the title. With the victory, she became just the second Hawk in any sport to win an individual national championship, marking a defining moment not only for the program but for the entire Quincy athletic department.

At 103 pounds, Pendergrass continued her stellar career by earning All-American honors for the second consecutive season, finishing fifth nationally after winning three matches during the championship tournament. Her performance further cemented her place among the top competitors in the country.

Both Barton and Tchekounova also represented Quincy on the national stage, each recording two wins at the NCAA Championships and playing key roles in the Hawks' top-ten team finish.

The national championship appearance also marked another historic milestone for the program, as Pendergrass and Barton became the first wrestlers in Quincy women's wrestling history to reach 100 career victories, both surpassing the milestone during the national tournament.

Throughout the season, the Hawks showcased impressive depth and consistency. Quincy had six wrestlers surpass the 20-win mark, including Sereena Baca, Lillian Baynes, Madisynn Crawford, Barton, Tchekounova, and Pendergrass, highlighting the program's growing talent across the lineup.

The Hawks also made their presence felt in the national rankings. Quincy opened the preseason ranked for the first time in program history, remained ranked in five of the seven national polls, and climbed as high as No. 9 in the country during the season.

In dual competition, the Hawks secured three victories over nationally ranked opponents, including wins over #8 Aurora (24-19), #19 William Jewell (28-19), and #5 King (26-23). Two of those ranked victories came in front of the home crowd, an impressive leap for a program that had recorded just one ranked dual victory in its first three seasons combined.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Jeff Haley, the program also continued to grow in size and visibility. The Hawks fielded the largest roster in program history with 30 wrestlers, reflecting the continued expansion and momentum surrounding the team.

Quincy also significantly increased its presence at home this season, hosting seven duals inside Pepsi Arena, including a tri-dual event and the GLVC Conference Duals in December. In the program's first four seasons combined, the Hawks had hosted just two total duals, making this year a major step forward in bringing high-level women's wrestling to the Quincy community.

The season also coincided with a historic moment for the sport itself, as women's wrestling became the NCAA's 91st championship sport, marking the beginning of a new era nationally.

For Quincy University, the timing could not have been more fitting. In just four seasons, the Hawks have grown from a new program into a national contender, highlighted by a national champion, multiple All-Americans, and a top-ten team finish. And with the foundation now firmly established, the historic 2025-26 season may only be the beginning.