Women's Wrestler Earns Weekly Heart Award

Marshall, Mo., (Feb. 24, 2025)- A Missouri Valley College women's wrestler has earned a weekly award from the Heart of America Athletic Conference following her performance last week.

Senior Ashley Whetzal (Virginia Beach, Va.) was named the Heart Women's Wrestler of the Week, presented by Musco, after helping the No. 8 Viking women's wrestling team to a 21-20 dual win at No. 15 St. Mary (Kan.).  Whetzal, ranked No. 10 at 131 pounds, earned a 12-0 technical fall victory over Maci Pearson.

This is the first weekly award for Whetzal of the season, and the second of her career.  Whetzal last won the award back on Jan. 23, 2023.  Two other Vikings have earned the weekly award so far this season.  No. 5 Senior Kelani Corbett (Wahiawa, Hawaii) earned the award on Nov. 24 and Jan. 20, and No. 3 Freshman Xhochitl Mota-Pettis (Humble, Texas) was the award winner on Feb. 10.

Up next, the Viking women's wrestling team will compete at the Heart Championship, Saturday, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.