Wichita, Kan. - Friends University hosted the Women's Wrestling KCAC/SAC conference tournament on Friday (Feb. 27). The Falcons led by first year coach Austin Zaring had five wrestlers get on the podium in this tournament. In addition, Friends qualified three women to the NAIA national tournament. 

Women's Wrestling qualified Kaylynn Martin and Alexis Means for the first time. Bailee Nelson grabbed her 3rd time national qualification. 

Anissa Robinson (6th place) and Naomie Sylvestre (3rd place) grabbed podium spots in their respective weight classes as well. 

Highlights of the KCAC/SAC tournament

110 lbs - Kaylynn Martin battled her way through her bracket as a 6 seed all the way to the championship match. Martin earned gritty wins, winning 12-4 in the opening round and won her semifinals match 15-7. Martin would ultimately go down in the championship, but would grab an automatic national bid with her 2nd place finish! 

145 lbs - Alexis Means as a 3 seed would dominate in her semifinals match with a 14-2 technical fall win in the first period. Means would fall in the championship match which led her to wrestle in a true second match for a winner take all bout. Means would get taken down early going down 2-0. Later in the first period Means would get a feet to back four point move to put her in the lead. 

In the 2nd period Means did not take her foot off the gas, scoring nine more points for a resilient effort to earn her way into the NAIA national tournament. Means laid it all on the line to win 13-5, with coaches Austin Zaring and Gianna Moreno all showing the utmost gratitude for Means after the match. 

180 lbs - Bailee Nelson qualified for nationals for the 3rd time in her career! After losing in the semi final round, Nelson would claw back and earn a 5th place finish with a 3-2 win, joining two of her teammates going to nationals. 

In just his first year at the helm, Austin Zaring qualified three women for nationals. 

Zaring said, "Having these three ladies qualify means a lot to me in my first year. They've worked so hard to obtain this achievement, and I'm glad that I got to be a small part of their journey to this milestone. These ladies have earned this opportunity by working hard and battling all season. Now it's about dialing in small details and making sure they feel confident and fresh when they stop out on the mat." 

Zaring about his first year and what he has accomplished as coach, "My first year has gone really well. I love my job and the fact that I get to come in everyday to do what I love alongside some amazing young ladies is amazing. Of course, there's been adversity along the way, but that's all a part of the journey. I couldn't ask for a better job."

The Women's Wrestling NAIA national tournament is on March 13 and it will be held at Heartland Credit Union Arena here in Wichita, Kan.