National Champions Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm proved their power once again with the first championship win of the weekend against Northern Iowa in Houston. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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Scoring 6 tries, the powerhouse junior Telesi Uhatafe was named the 2025 Division I MVP.

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