Northern Michigan Wins Five Titles at Pointer Open
Northern Michigan University claimed half of the 10 weight classes at the Wisconsin tournament, with Lillee Denson earning Wrestler of the Week honors.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Wrestling
Northern Michigan University wrestlers won five of the 10 weight-class titles at the Pointer Open in Wisconsin. No other program won more than two weight classes at the tournament.
Why it matters
The result underscores the depth of Northern Michigan's women's wrestling program early in the season. Denson's recognition in the Great Lakes Valley Conference highlights individual performances driving the team's start.
Results from the Pointer Open show Northern Michigan won five weight-class titles out of 10, with 29 technical fall wins, more than any of the 22 competing schools and clubs. Full team scoring beyond weight-class titles was not provided.
The players
Northern Michigan University
A public university in Marquette, Michigan, whose athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Lillee Denson
A Northern Michigan wrestler who won the 103-pound title at the Pointer Open and was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Wrestler of the Week.
The details
Lillee Denson won the 103-pound title and opened with a 10-0 technical fall in 1 minute, 17 seconds, later clinching her title with a 13-1 technical fall over Genesis Ramirez of Aurora. Teammates Cheyenne Frank (117), Kandice Spry (124), Belicia Manuel (145) and Sophia Bassino (160) also won titles.
Timeline
Monday: Denson posted a victory in a home dual against North Central College.
Saturday: Northern travels to Adrian College for the Adrian Duals.
Sunday: Northern competes in the Adrian Open.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.: Northern hosts Aurora and Wisconsin-Stevens Point in a home triangular.
Season Trajectory
Northern Michigan's Pointer Open haul and Denson's conference award place the team among early leaders in the Great Lakes Valley Conference women's wrestling race. The upcoming Adrian tournaments will test whether that depth holds against regional competition.
Denson's 5-0 start and five team titles at the Pointer Open make the Wildcats' lineup a key one to watch on the conference schedule. Fans tracking the Adrian tournaments can use the Saturday and Sunday dates to plan around the weekend's competition.
The takeaway
Early depth across weight classes is often the difference between a good and a great conference season in wrestling. Northern's five-title showing gives it a strong foundation heading into the Adrian events.
What happens next
Northern hosts Aurora and Wisconsin-Stevens Point in a home triangular on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m., and travels to the Adrian Duals and Adrian Open the weekend before.
Further reading
Follow the team's season in our Wrestling coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mining Journal.
