Following championship performances over the weekend, Barton Community College women's wrestlers Yareli Garcia and Harmony Moore added another milestone to the program's inaugural season Tuesday, becoming the first Cougars to earn KJCCC Wrestler of the Week honors.
The Week 2 recognition comes after the duo combined for seven victories en route to capturing their respective weight-class titles Friday at the fifth annual Women's Viking Open in Poteau, Oklahoma, marking the first two individual tournament championships in program history.
Garcia earned her first collegiate tournament title with a perfect 4-0 showing at 160 pounds, securing three victories on the mat before receiving an injury default in the championship bout. The freshman began her run with back-to-back first-period falls over Schreiner University's Anayah Manning (1:49) and Carl Albert State College's Evelyn Romero (1:59) before advancing to the finals with a 10-0 technical fall against Carl Albert's Ashley Thompson. Garcia completed her unbeaten afternoon with an injury-default victory over Lyon College's Sidney Milligan.
At 207 pounds, Moore continued her strong start to the season, building on her runner-up finish at the season-opening Falcon Open with three first-period falls to claim the Viking Open crown. The freshman pinned Schreiner University's Tracy Linklater and Murray State College's Jordan Bead in identical times of 2:28 before needing just 19 seconds to dispatch Murray State's Heidi Benefield in the championship tilt.
The Cougars return to action Friday and Saturday at the Cornerman Luke Preseason National Duals in Richfield, Utah. Competition begins Friday at 4 p.m. before resuming Saturday at 10 a.m.
To qualify for the weekly recognition, wrestlers must place among the top five in an open tournament, defeat a nationally ranked NJCAA opponent or record a significant victory, that contributes to a team dual victory. Each conference program submits its top performances from the previous week for consideration.