The first ever NCAA Women’s Wrestling Tournament was marred with controversy as a match ended by a questionable disqualification.
In a matchup in the 110 pound weight class, Presbyterian College’s Chloe Dearwester was facing North Central College’s Kaelani Shufeldt.
But just a few seconds into the bout, the referee stopped the match as Dearwester appeared to writhe around in pain while grabbing her arm.
After examining Dearwester, the official called a stop to the match and declared the Presbyterian wrestler the winner while disqualifying Shufeldt due to ‘brutality’ – claiming the North Central competitor bit her opponent.
A statement from NCAA Women’s Wrestling Committee chair Oscar Ramirez read, ‘The North Central wrestler was called for brutality by the officials’ crew on the mat, which immediately triggers review by the jury.
‘The jury upheld the brutality call on the mat, which results in a disqualification from the event by discretion of the officiating body and loss of all of the wrestler’s team points by rule.’
A women’s collegiate wrestling match ended in controversy when a competitor was ruled to have bit her opponent
North Central’s Kaelani Schufeldt (R) was stunned by her disqualification for ‘brutality’ leading to the win for Presbyterian’s Chloe Dearwester (L)
In the aftermath of the ruling, fans and former wrestlers on social media pointed out that Dearwester may have bit her own arm.
In the video, Dearwester is seen grabbing her right arm in pain. However, referees found the marks on her left arm instead.
Others believed a more nefarious theory when Dearwester was seen raising her left arm up to her mouth before the referee examined her.
The Daily Mail has reached out to both North Central College and Presbyterian College for comment on this matter.
North Central’s wrestling coach, Joe Norton, posted to social media, ‘Officials reviewed the wrestling action. The [sic] said it didn’t look like Dearwester had the opportunity to bite herself. The referee with the whistle on the mat told me “from the video, it’s very clear that you [sic] wrestler bit her.”‘
‘We went back afterwards once we had acquired video of the bite during the injury time. Showed it to NCAA officials who reviewed it with [the head official, who] made the decision to stick with his original call and DQ Shufeldt from the competition, stripping her team points as well.
‘The bite mark was a perfect circle of teeth marks on Dearwester’s left wrist. The original injury was to her right elbow. Shufeldt wears a mouthpiece and would not have been able to make a circle of teeth marks like that. Officials were notified of this as well.’
However, Dearwester has now been accused of biting her own arm in this incident
Shufeldt’s coach claimed there was no way she could have bit Dearwester due to her mouthpiece, while others called the decision against her ‘disgraceful and embarrassing.’
He later added, ‘For what it’s worth, I do not believe there was any malice on Dearwester’s part. I think she bit her arm in the moment as a pain response.
‘Our frustration lies with the officials. Not with Dearwester or the Presbyterian staff.’
Former national champion Julia Salata posted, ‘This call was disgraceful & embarrassing.
‘First ever women’s NCAA championship, an opportunity to showcase the sport on the biggest stage to date, & officials are calling ‘brutality’ for normal wrestling positions. Shufeldt, NCC, & NCAA Women’s Wrestling as a whole deserve better.’
