Oklahoma City, OK – The Simon Fraser University women's wrestling team advanced to the championship bracket of the Cliff Keen Duals in Oklahoma City Friday, winning five dual meets to capture the top seed in one of four pools in the 24-team tournament.

Simon Fraser began the day winning all 10 matches against Midland University for a 42-0 victory and never slowed down. The Clan lost just five matches out of 48 on the day. SFU also defeated Ottawa University 37-10, Wayland Blue 42-1, an unaffiliated club team 38-2, and Lindenwood Gold 32-16.

The Clan recorded 13 pins on the day with freshman Francesca Giorgio of Reading, PA pinning three opponents in five minutes and 28 seconds in the 143-pound weight class. Freshmen Abby Lloyd of Powell River also recorded three pins and is undefeated on the current trip with eight straight victories to start the season in the 109-pound weight class. Bailley Halvorson (Thunder Bay, ON), Monika Podgorski (New Westminster, BC) and Payton Smith (Maple Ridge, BC) had two falls each in Day One of today's tournament. Halvorson, wrestling at 155-pounds, pinned both of her opponents in less than a minute combined. She is also undefeated to start the season.

 "We have wrestled really well on this trip and have at times overachieved," said Clan coach Justin Abdou. "We have created some breaks and now we have some momentum but it will be difficult wrestling nine against 10."

Freshman Tiffany Hibbert of Rexton, NB was injured in her match against Addie Lanning (Ottawa University) and is unlikely to compete in Saturday's 136-pound matches, forcing Simon Fraser to field wrestlers in just nine of 10 weight classes in the championship bracket.

Simon Fraser will have to beat defending champion and No. 1 ranked Linden University to capture the tournament title.

"We have been competing hard and gaining confidence with every match and it is nice to see this early in the season," said Abdou. "Abby (Lloyd) has been really aggressive, Jennifer (Anderson) has been constantly on attack and Francesca (Giorgio) has taken a lot of risks but come out on top in every scramble. As a group we have really over achieved."

Simon Fraser entered the season ranked No. 6 in the Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association. The team graduated four national champions from last year's team that finished third. SFU won the national championship in 2013.

The tournament wraps up Saturday.

Pool D - Simon Fraser is guaranteed 1st place
Match #1 Round 1: Simon Fraser defeated Midland University 42-0
101 - Darby Huckle (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
109 - Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser) over Taylor Zboray (Midland University) Dec 8-0
116 - Nikkie Brar (Simon Fraser) over Xandria Ford (Midland University) Dec 8-0
123 - Ashley Osachuk (Simon Fraser) over Jill Amaya (Midland University) TF 11-0
130 - Jennifer Anderson (Simon Fraser) over Mindee Ibarra (Midland University) Fall 1:29
136 - Tiffany Hibbert (Simon Fraser) over Cheyenne Rodriguez (Midland University) TF 10-0
143 - Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser) over Sonja Grant (Midland University) Fall 3:51
155 - Bailley Halvorson (Simon Fraser) over Delaney Dawson (Midland University) TF 10-0
170 - Monika Podgorski (Simon Fraser) over Welina Tong (Midland University) TF 11-0
191 - Peyton Smith (Simon Fraser) over Dejah Jimenez (Midland University) Fall 0:45

Match #2 Round 2: Simon Fraser defeated Ottawa University 37-10
109 - Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser) over Tabitha Sparks (Ottawa University) Fall 1:40
116 - Nikkie Brar (Simon Fraser) over Meranda Homan (Ottawa University) TF 12-0
123 - Ashley Osachuk (Simon Fraser) over Sarah Rocker (Ottawa University) TF 10-0
130 - Jennifer Anderson (Simon Fraser) over Darla Allen (Ottawa University) TF 10-0
136 - Addie Lanning (Ottawa University) over Tiffany Hibbert (Simon Fraser) Fall 1:53
143 - Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser) over Marisol Arredondo (Ottawa University) Fall 0:16
155 - Bailley Halvorson (Simon Fraser) over Grace Chambers (Ottawa University) Fall 0:25
170 - Monika Podgorski (Simon Fraser) over Denise Martinez (Ottawa University) Fall 0:57
191 - Brandy Lowe (Ottawa University) over Peyton Smith (Simon Fraser) Fall 1:11
101 - Darby Huckle (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

Match #3 Round 3: Simon Fraser defeated Wayland Blue 42-1
116 - Nikkie Brar (Simon Fraser) over Cheyenne Kemp (Wayland Blue) TF 14-2
123 - Ashley Osachuk (Simon Fraser) over De`Anna Prince (Wayland Blue) TF 10-0
130 - Jennifer Anderson (Simon Fraser) over Jordan Smith (Wayland Blue) TF 10-0
136 - Double Forfeit
143 - Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
155 - Bailley Halvorson (Simon Fraser) over Cheyenne Rightmire (Wayland Blue) Fall 0:30
170 - Monika Podgorski (Simon Fraser) over Nakaela Jackson (Wayland Blue) Fall 0:25
191 - Peyton Smith (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
101 - Darby Huckle (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
109 - Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

Match #4 Round 4: Simon Fraser defeated Mystery Team 38-2
123 - Ashley Osachuk (Simon Fraser) over Tana Louis (Mystery Team) Dec 6-2
130 - Jennifer Anderson (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
136 - Double Forfeit
143 - Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser) over Maggie Dauma (Mystery Team) TF 11-0
155 - Bailley Halvorson (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
170 - Monika Podgorski (Simon Fraser) over Evonne Evian (Mystery Team) TF 13-3
191 - Peyton Smith (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
101 - Darby Huckle (Simon Fraser) over Harley Ibarra (Mystery Team) TF 10-0
109 - Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser) over Vanessa Gomez (Mystery Team) Fall 3:44
116 - Nikkie Brar (Simon Fraser) over Cassidy Jasperson (Mystery Team) Dec 5-0

Match #5 Round 5: Simon Fraser defeated Lindenwood Gold 32-16
130 - Jennifer Anderson (Simon Fraser) over Rachel Factora (Lindenwood Gold) TF 12-1
136 - Monica Ramirez (Lindenwood Gold) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
143 - Francesca Giorgio (Simon Fraser) over Angelina Fabbri (Lindenwood Gold) Fall 1:21
155 - Bailley Halvorson (Simon Fraser) over Lisa Gonzalez (Lindenwood Gold) TF 10-0
170 - Gabriela Guzman (Lindenwood Gold) over Monika Podgorski (Simon Fraser) Fall 0:18
191 - Peyton Smith (Simon Fraser) over Mikayla Mathews (Lindenwood Gold) Fall 5:34
101 - Darby Huckle (Simon Fraser) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
109 - Abby Lloyd (Simon Fraser) over Tori Degginger (Lindenwood Gold) Fall 4:51
116 - Nikkie Brar (Simon Fraser) over Hannah Padilla (Lindenwood Gold) TF 10-0
123 - Diaysha Moore (Lindenwood Gold) over Ashley Osachuk (Simon Fraser) Fall 1:25