DENTON, Texas – Two-sport student-athlete Haleigh Lematta made history for the young Minot State University (MSU) women’s wrestling program on Saturday as she became the Beavers first two-time national qualifier.

Lematta, who also plays softball at MSU, earned her second trip to the NCWWC National Tournament as she finished fourth in the 145-pound weight class at the Region 8 Tournament hosted by Texas Woman’s University.

The MSU sophomore earned a trip to last year’s NCWWC National Tournament finishing fourth in the 143-pound weight class, as well.

Lematta becomes the sixth national qualifier in the three-year history of the MSU women’s wrestling program, which now has qualified for nationals in each year of the program’s existence.

“We are really proud of the direction of this program, in three years we have had eight regional placers and six national qualifiers,” MSU head coach Brittney Mitchem said. “It shows we are consistent in our success.”

Lematta finished the day 3-2 at the Region 8 Tournament, opening with an 8-3 decision win in the quarterfinals over Amelia Lucas from Simon Fraser before a semifinal setback pitted her against Celina Cooke from Colorado Mesa in the consolation bracket.

Lematta bounced back strong with a 10-0 technical fall win to earn a spot in the 3rd-place match, but came up short, losing by pin to Fort Hays State’s Dylen Ritchey.

With a chance to earn a return trip to nationals, Lematta earned a no-contest victory over Cooke once again in the 4th-place match.

“I am proud of Haleigh and the growth she has had these past two years!” Mitchem said. “I have high hopes she will make the best run to become the first All-American in program history.”

While Lematta earned a second trip to nationals, teammate Nina Sandoval came within a match of doing the same before her run at the Region 8 Tournament came to an end with a medical forfeit in the 5th-place match.

After an opening loss, Sandoval won back-to-back consolation matches by pin, in 2-minutes, 8-seconds over Symphanie Sampson of Schreiner, and in 5:22 against Jianna Chavez from William Jewell.

A technical-fall loss in the consolation semifinals ended the brief win streak, and the medical forfeit in the 5th-place match ended the season for Sandoval.

Sandoval wraps up her Minot State career as the all-time leader in wins with 39, and in wins by pin with 23.

A few other Minot State women turned in strong showings at the Region 8 tournament, as Skye Shelmerdine picked up a pair of wins on the day at 124 pounds, and Madilyn Schuck also won twice at 207 pounds, though neither placed.

Shelmerdine won by pin in 1:32 in the first round over Trona Bates of Chadron State and added a 10-0 tech fall win in the consolation round over teammate Emily Light.

Schuck won an 8-2 decision in her opening match over Estrella Vasquez-Gutierrez from Chadron State and picked up a consolation-bracket win by pin in 2:12 over Natalie Espinoza from Schreiner.

The final competition for the majority of the MSU team, Lematta will represent the Lady Beavers at one final event, the NCWWC National Tournament, March 7-8, in Coralville, Iowa.

“I am grateful to work with, and alongside, such a wonderful coaching staff,” Mitchem said. “We are building something special here at Minot State!”