Joliet Junior College Freshman Wins Historic National Title at NJCAA Women's Wrestling Invitational

It was a season of historic firsts and finishes for Joliet Junior College (JJC) Wolves wrestling, but none greater than the one that occurred over the final weekend of the season. 

Freshman Katie Ramirez-Quintero went undefeated through five bouts at the 2025 NJCAA Women's Wrestling Invitational in Council Bluffs, Iowa, culminating in a national championship title in the 131-pound weight division. 

"I honestly couldn't believe it," she said following her victory. "I really only processed that I had just won nationals after everyone congratulated me but even then, it was a surreal experience." 

"Katie winning the national title means the world to assistant coach Connor Merchant and me," said Wolves wrestling head coach Gary Woods. "Coaches go their entire careers to coach a national champion, and we did it in our second season. It shows that if a coach believes in their athlete and the athlete believes in themself that anything is possible." 

The victory marks a first for the Wolves women's wrestling program as well as a first for Woods. 

Ramirez-Quintero entered the weekend as the No. 4 seed and won her first bout by fall against Libby Sutton (Southeast). She won her next bout against Hallie Carter (Snow), 12-2, followed by a 12-0 quarterfinals victory over Holly Garrett (Iowa Lakes). She faced top seed Sam Markwardt (Carl Albert) in the semifinals and won by fall.  

In the final, she won by a narrow 6-5 final over No. 3 seed Avery Mohr (Iowa Central). 

"My most difficult bout was probably the first match," said Ramirez-Quintero. "I think it was just about overcoming my nerves. I've competed at state but this was a different atmosphere, so I had to adjust to that. As matches went on, I gained my confidence and realized it's just another tournament, reminding myself to focus on my matches and nothing else around was very important to me." 

She added that the win reminded her to never give up on herself, even when things got tough. 

"It's an honor to bring it home and make history for the school," she said of representing JJC on the national stage. "Also, in honor of Women's History Month, I'd like to remind everyone that women's sports matter."

As a team, the women finished in ninth place overall but as the highest-placed NJCAA Division III program The finish was helped by freshman Elliana Balderrama taking fifth place in the 138-pound division after going 5-7 on the weekend.

"Our women's team came into nationals with six women that would not give up," said Woods. "They battled all year through a lot of ups and downs. With the numbers stacked against this team, we finished ninth overall with 57 team points and as the best team in the country as JUCO DIII. This is a huge improvement as we finished dead last year with zero team points." 

On the men's side, Paul Kadlec earned a sixth-place finish in the 165-pound division. The Wolves traveled with just three wrestlers — Logan Guerrero, Tylahn Ladd and Kadlec.  

"Both teams battled hard all year," said Woods. "Our three men that competed had us climb up the team ranks to No. 7 in JUCO DIII and climb to No. 30. Compared to last year No. 8 and No. 33 overall. 

"Both programs wrestled hard and showed why JJC can be a force with talented wrestlers."