Northern Michigan University wrestler Sophia Bassino gets an opponent in a hold during a past Wildcats’ meet held at Vandament Arena in Marquette. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The nationally ranked women’s wrestling team at Northern Michigan University had a half-dozen athletes place at the 14-team Mike Duroe Invitational held at Cornell College in Iowa on Saturday.

While team scores weren’t kept, No. 17 NMU was led by sophomore Sophia Bassino making a perfect run to win the 160-pound weight class.

Two others also had top-three finishes, junior Alissa Caltagirone at 145 and sophomore Clarissa Wangen at 180.

Northern had a record of 26-20 in all contested matches.

Bassino won all five of her matches, each in a technical fall with the first four completed before the first period ended. In her final, she won 10-0 over Kennedy Murray of Illinois Wesleyan at 4:15.

Caltagirone went 3-1 with two pins and a tech fall, while Wangen was 4-1 with a tech fall, a pin and two decisions.

Wildcats junior Zhivanna Magdaleno was fourth at 117 pounds, going 4-2 with three pins and a tech fall, while sophomore teammate Abbie Miles also went 4-2 to finish fifth at 180 as she had three pins and a decision in her victories.

In addition, two more NMU wrestlers finished seventh with 2-2 records. Freshman Alyssa Keane at 138 won with a decision and default, while junior Abigale Swanson at 180 was victorious with a pin and forfeit.

Additionally, Northern sophomore Samantha Chaon at 138 was 1-2 with a tech fall win, while senior Ruby Joseph at 180 had a decision as a triumph.

Also participating for the Wildcats were freshman Jamie Cook at 124, sophomore Keaton Hood at 138 and junior Mickaela Keane at 207.

NMU has two regular-season meets left before the NCAA regional qualifier in late February. On Saturday morning, the Wildcats will be at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Duals No. 2 at Grand Valley State in Allendale.

The following Friday, they’ll be at Wisconsin-Stevens Point before taking a three-week break for the NCAAs.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the meet. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.