Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University women's wrestling team delivered a historic performance at the 2026 Knight Invitational inside Knight Arena, recording five podium finishes, highlighted by Dusti Casperson capturing the championship in the 110-pound bracket.

Prior to the start of competition, the Knights honored seniors Eve Beckstead and Leigh-Anne Verburg, who each competed in more than 30 bouts over the past two seasons and were members of the 2025 NWCA Scholar All-American Class.

103 Pounds

Katie Ramsay opened the day strong for Southern Virginia, earning a third-place finish with two dominant tech-fall victories.

• Round 1 – Ramsay won by tech fall over Mary Lopes (Cedar Crest), 10–0
   

• Round 2 – Chloe Simmons (Randolph) won by tech fall over Ramsay, 12–0
   

• Round 3 – Ramsay won by tech fall over Aspen Cook (Mount Olive), 10–0
   

• Third-Place Match – Lilian Prendergast (Mount Olive) won by fall over Ramsay, 2:39

110 Pounds

In her season debut, Dusti Casperson made a powerful statement, claiming first place in dominant fashion. Casperson won all four of her matches by tech fall, surrendering just two points total throughout the tournament.

• Round 1 – Casperson won by tech fall over Emma Bond (Liberty), 12–2
   

• Round 2 – Casperson won by tech fall over Leilani Martinez (Cedar Crest), 10–0
   

• Round 3 – Casperson won by tech fall over Breanna Davis (Greensboro), 10–0
   

• Championship – Casperson won by tech fall over Samaiya McAllister (Allen), 10–0

124 Pounds

Andrea Castro kept the momentum rolling, finishing third with a pair of decisive falls.

• Quarterfinal – Aurora Pennington (Liberty) won by fall over Castro, 5:32
   

• Consolation Semifinal – Castro won by fall over Madison Wilson (Emory & Henry), 1:17
   

• Third-Place Match – Castro won by fall over Rihanna Loomis (Allen), 0:32

131 Pounds

Seani Casperson narrowly missed advancing after an 8–7 decision loss in her opening bout, while senior Leigh-Anne Verburg battled tough competition in her bracket.

• Champ. Round 1 – Makenzie Robinson (Emory & Henry) def. Seani Casperson, 8–7
   

• Consolation Round 2 – Marielle Hirkala (Randolph) won by tech fall over Casperson, 10–0
   

• Champ. Round 1 – Emma Flanagan (Bluefield) won by fall over Verburg, 0:55
   

• Consolation Round 2 – Tana Loving (Emory & Henry) won by fall over Verburg, 2:44

145 Pounds

Gracie Blake earned a fifth-place finish, opening with a pin before an injury default later in the day.

• Quarterfinal – Blake won by fall over Genesis Chinchilla (Greensboro), 1:33
   

• Semifinal – Molly Keller (Emory & Henry) won by tech fall over Blake, 10–0
   

• Consolation Semifinal – Charniece McClarence (Bluefield) won by injury default
   

• Fifth-Place Match – Blake won by no contest over Isabella Hill (Emory & Henry)
   

Senior Eve Beckstead also competed at 145, battling through a challenging draw.

• Champ. Round 1 – Madelyne Stultz (Cedar Crest) won by fall over Beckstead, 0:59
   

• Consolation Round 1 – Jenna Moening (Randolph) won by fall over Beckstead, 2:07

160 Pounds

Freshman Alexis Kirkland impressed in the 160-pound division, earning second place with two pins and a tech fall.

• Round 1 – Kirkland won by tech fall over Margaret Page (Emory & Henry), 12–0
   

• Quarterfinal – Kirkland won by fall over Priscilla DeWitt (Greensboro), 2:36
   

• Semifinal – Kirkland won by fall over Elaina Pollock (Mount Olive), 2:22
   

• Championship – Draydon Charman (Cedar Crest) won by fall over Kirkland, 2:04

180 Pounds

Another freshman, Dazi Thatcher, showcased grit and resilience. After an early loss, Thatcher rallied with three straight pins to secure a third-place finish.

• Quarterfinal – Morgann Thomas (Allen) won by tech fall over Thatcher, 15–5
   

• Consolation Round 3 – Thatcher won by fall over Arvriel Douthit (Allen), 1:34
   

• Consolation Semifinal – Thatcher won by fall over Eryn Hubble (Emory & Henry), 0:53
   

• Third-Place Match – Thatcher won by fall over Faith Kiefer (Liberty), 2:13

The Knights continue their season on the road, traveling to Arlington, Va., for the Marymount Tri-Match against Marymount and McDaniel on Saturday, January 17 at 12:00 PM.

For updates on the Knights' progress, follow @knightwwrestling on Instagram or visit knightathletics.com