Women's Wrestling | 3/6/2026 9:46:00 PM

CORALVILLE, IA - History. 

Or, as Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School) put it, Herstory. 

All it took was a handful of guts, resilience, and determination. Luckily, she had all three on Friday night. 

On a history making night, Phillips became the first ever Gannon women's wrestler to achieve NCAA all-American status in the 180 pound bracket. She went 2-1 on the day, securing a clinching tech fall victory in the second round of the consolation bracket to earn all-American and advance to the second day of the tournament. 

Phillips can finish no lower than eighth, although she will have an opportunity to earn third place on Saturday. 

"This is a dream come true", said an emotional Phillips just moments after her final match of the night. "It's hard to put into words. I've worked so hard for this moment and it's finally come true.m There are a lot of things in this sport that people don't notice, so much work and preparation that is required for this moment. I'm happy to be the first to achieve this status and hope I am the first of many Golden Knights to be an all-American."

Phillips got off to a quick start in her first round match on Friday morning. The sophomore earned a tech fall win at the 2:25 mark of the first period over Ay'Seante Ross of Norwich. Scoring 11 points in the win, Phillips did not allow a point and featured a four point takedown in the ladder portion of the first period. 

In the quarterfinal, a back and forth affair saw Phillips drop a close 5-4 decision at the hands of second ranked Destiny Rodriguez (McKendree). Successive passive calls gave Rodriguez the lead, and Phillips trailed 5-1 late in the second period. She would earn a takedown of her own and secure one more point before the final buzzer, but could not move ahead and dropped to the consolation bracket. 

A familiar foe awaited Phillips in the second round of the consolation bracket: Genevieve An of Lehigh, whom Phillips defeated 8-4 in an earlier dual this season. The sophomore came out of the gates with a flurry, notching a four point takedown 12 seconds into the match and never looked back. Phillips took the match, 12-1, a tech fall victory at 5:56 of the second period, securing all-American status. 

"I am so proud of Bella", noted head coach Erin Vandiver. "To be able to bounce back from a loss like she did tonight was more than noteworthy. She has done all the right things, worked so hard, and deserves this honor more than anyone. She is our leader, and has worked so hard to reach this moment. We will celebrate this milestone tonight and try to keep climbing the podium tomorrow!"

Phillips is guaranteed at least two matches tomorrow, starting with the consolation quarterfinals at 11:00 am. She'll wrestle Mia Gaetjens, sister of Gannon senior Zoe Gaetjens (Mogadore, Ohio/Mogadore), to start the day. With a win, Phillips would finish no lower than sixth in the bracket. 

DAY ONE RESULTS - BELLA PHILLIPS
Round 1 - Defeated Ay'Seante Ross (Norwich) via tech fall (11-0, 2:25)
Quarterfinal - Lost to Destiny Rodriguez (McKendree) via decision (5-4)
Consolation Round 2 - Defeated Genevieve An (Lehigh) via tech fall (12-1, 5:56)

A LOOK AT TOMORROW
Consolation Quarterfinal - Bella Phillips (Bellingham, Wash./Squalicum High School) vs Mia Gaetjens - 11:00 am (ESPN+)