Incoming Northern Michigan University women’s wrestler Yu Sakamoto, second from left, poses with her gold medal in Tirana, Albania, after winning her weight division at the Under-23 World Championship last Friday. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University women’s wrestling team begins its interscholastic season on Saturday morning at the Luther Hill Invitational at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

The 10 a.m. EDT meet follows up the Green & Gold Intrasquad meet the Wildcats took part in last weekend.

Fans can follow @nmu_wrestling on Instagram for updates leading up to and after the event, or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the women’s wrestling schedule for links to a preview and history.

Teamwise, NMU is ranked 10th in tournament rankings and 18th in team dual rankings entering the season, its fourth having this program.

The Wildcats’ Yu Sakamoto is ranked fourth nationally in the overall pound-for-pound rankings and also first in the 117-pound division by The Open Mat website.

Sakamoto recently earned a world champion title at the Under-23 World Championships in the European country of Albania.

Teammate Alissa Caltagirone is ranked 11th at 145 pounds, while Zhivanna Magdaleno is 13th at 124 as each competed at nationals last season.

Northern has 10 regional top-five finishes in its three years in existence, led by Diana Dzasezava winning a regional title in 2023.

Overall, the Wildcats have produced two All-Americans and 12 Scholar All-Americans, while current head coach Tony DeAnda being named Regional Coach of the Year in 2023.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.