Valley freshman Vanessa Nordstrom (bottom) tries to improve her hold on freshman teammate Krista Camarillo during a preliminary round in the MVC Women's Wrestling Showcase. [Click to enlarge]

Lady Vikings won four out of the eight weight classes during the Missouri Valley Showcase of Women's Wrestling meet on Saturday, March 25.

Valley junior Maika Watanabe of Napa, Calif., took the 51 kilogram division, winning all three matches of the round-robin in her class. Sophomore Christina Varland (2-1) finished second and freshman Mary Shamblin (1-2) took third.

Junior Courtney Martell of New Haven, Vt., beat Charae Pascua of the United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC), by fall during the third period to take the 55 kilogram crown for the Lady Vikings.

Freshman Amberlee Ebert (63 kilogram) of Reedsville, Wis., won finals by injury default over her Valley teammate, sophomore Jennifer Germany. Freshman Samantha Richardson placed third for an MVC sweep of the top three places.

Former Valley and current Olympic Training Center wrestler Ashley Sword took the 67 kilo division, beating Lady Vikings junior Emily Rinehart by a fall in the second match.

Valley senior Stephany Lee of Honolulu, Hawaii, earned "outstanding wrestler" honors on her way to winning the 72 kilo division. Lee beat two-time world champion Kristi Marano of the New York Athletic Club, for the championship (0-1, 2-0, 1-0). Sophomore Lacy Novinska took third place for the Lady Vikings.

Other Missouri Valley wrestlers who placed included seniors Tanya Miyasaki and Angelee Homma -- second and third, respectively, at 48 -- junior Erica Chew and freshman Shamaine Danner of Richmond took second and third respectively in the 59 kilo division and freshman Desiree Memea with third at 80 kilograms.

The Lady Vikings will head to Lake Obion, Mich., Sunday for the annual Can-Am Open.