National Champions Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm proved their power once again with the first championship win of the weekend against Northern Iowa in Houston.
SNU came in hot in the first 45 seconds, scoring a try by fullback Olivia Johnson for an early 5-0 lead. Fullback Ireland Jeffrey followed suit, adding another try for their 10-0 lead.
Iowa claimed points of their own with a try from fullback Macie Graves and conversion by center Avery Bird for a close follow of 10-7. Powerhouse center Telesi Uhatafe ran it back with a try for SNU and conversion by center Riley Erickson, trailed by a try from wing Jaylyn Isaacs to land 22-7.
Graves scored a try once again for Iowa with a conversion from Bird to cap their first half points at 14. Uhatafe finished out the first half strong with two tries, earning her a hat trick, succeeded by a conversion from Erickson.
SNU dominated the second half with two tries from hooker Lauren Anderson, two tries from Uhatafe, one try from Jeffrey, one try from wing Vivianne Wright, one try from scrum-half Chloe Tarango, and three conversions from Erickson for a massive 75-14 lead.
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Iowa tried to come back, scoring one more try and conversion by Bird, but it wasn’t enough. Wright ended the match for SNU with a try, supported by a conversion from Erickson, securing the Division I championship 82-21.
Scoring 6 tries, the powerhouse junior Telesi Uhatafe was named the 2025 Division I MVP.
