Redford Named NAIA Wrestler of the Week
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from Eastern Oregon University) Erin Redford has been named the NAIA Wrestler of the Week for her performance this past weekend. The senior out of Buckley, Wash. had a stellar weekend on the mat going undefeated at the York College Women’s Dual Tournament and the York University Women’s Open.
“Erin has been putting in the work and it has been showing,” Head Coach Mhar Caballa said. “This past weekend she did a great job attacking and when she is on her offense she is best. She is enjoying the process and having fun.”
On Friday Redford helped lead the Mounties to a 3-1 record in the dual tournament. She went 3-0 with two pins and a tech fall on the day. Her most impressive victory came against Ottawa University’s Mikinlee Smith in the first dual. Redford wasted no time pinning her opponent in an impressive 40 seconds.
The next day, at the York University Women’s Open, Redford was just as impressive. Redford earned a first-place finish going 3-0 in the 136-pound weight class. After a three-point victory over Midland University’s Ashlee Palimo’o, Redford picked up a pin in the first period against Oklahoma City University’s Morgan Mackey. To secure her spot at the top of the podium, Redford took a 10-0 tech fall victory over the No. 12 wrestler in the country at 136 pounds, Texas Wesleyan’s Maryellen Lafferty.
Redford’s award marks the second time a Mountie has won an NAIA Athlete of the Week Award in the 2022-23 academic year. Cambree Scott earned the national award for her play on the Mountie Volleyball Team earlier this fall in September.
Redford and the Mounties will take a short break from competition before returning to action at the end of the month. EOU will take on Linfield in a duel on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. for their next bout.
