Oklahoma City favored at WCWA Women’s College Nationals at Missouri Valley College on January 31
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by Gary Abbott
The college national team title in women's freestyle wrestling is up for grabs this weekend at the Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) National Championships set for the Burns Athletic Center at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. on Saturday, January 31.
The top teams in U.S. women's college wrestling, as well as Canadian power Simon Fraser Univ., will come together to determine the national team champions, as well as individual champions in the 10 women's college weight classes.
The WCWA was formed last year, and held its first national tournament under the new organization. The Women's College Nationals event began in 2004, when it was held at Missouri Valley College, and has grown in size and prestige ever since.
Last year, the Univ. of the Cumberlands, a perennial women's power, edged the new program from Oklahoma City University by just one point in the team standings. It was the third straight women's college national team title for the Patriots under Coach Kip Flanik.
This year, Archie Randall's Oklahoma City team enters the event as a strong favorite. The Stars won the National Duals team title in January, and finished their season with an impressive 22-1 record. The only loss came to the Univ. of the Cumberlands in a dual meet tournament in Canada.
"I think we have a really good shot," said OCU Coach Archie Randall. "If the women wrestle well, we can be in a position to win the tournament. We have tough opponents in the Cumberlands and Simon Fraser. At many of the weight classes, anybody can win in the bracket. We come off a one-point disappointment at last year's nationals. The girls are fired up and we enter the tournament healthy."
Randall has a competitive athlete in all 10 weight divisions, with a number of potential individual champions. Athletes from OCU who are expected to receive No. 1 seeds include Michaela Hutchison at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Stefenie Shaw at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Others with major title hopes include Stephanie Waters at 44 kg/97 lbs., Leanne Barney at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Ashley Hudson at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Lacey Novinska at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
"If the girls have a good day, if they feel good about themselves, we could have a finalist in every weight class," said Randall.
The Univ. of the Cumberlands has won three straight women's national titles, but comes in as the underdog based upon the results of the season. Coach Kip Flanik has confidence in his team, but knows it will take a strong effort to keep the team title.
"We are real excited to be going back again," said Flanik about the WCWA Nationals. "We are bringing a very, very young team. We are going against a great Oklahoma City team and a great Simon Fraser team, as well as good individuals from some of the other teams. We will be hard pressed to repeat. If our young girls step up and wrestle hard, I think it is possible."
Contenders for national titles for the Patriots include Ashley Shannon at 44 kg/97 lbs., Gabby Henry at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Jackie Stiles at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Paige Rife at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Kendra Lewis at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Simon Fraser brings a small but talented team to its first WCWA Nationals, with some battle-tested athletes who have been successful on the Canadian college circuit. Simon Fraser has entered a number of events where American teams participated, and has done well in some of their matchups.
Simon Fraser athletes who should receive high seeds include Ashley McKilligan at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Danielle Lappage at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Hillary Greening at 82 kg/180.25 lbs.
Host Missouri Valley is capable of challenging among the top teams. Vikings Coach Carl Murphree is looking for strong efforts from his top three performers this year, Jen Germany at 59 kg/130 lbs., Karen Howe at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Amy Havens at 95 kg/209 lbs.. In addition, 2005 College National champion Rachel Billerbeck returns at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., seeking to return to the top of the podium.
"I am looking for a top three finish," said Murphree. "I think hosting will help our athletes and give them a little incentive to train even harder."
There are some exceptional athletes from other teams entered in the tournament who will make life difficult for the stars from the established programs. Included in the field of top challengers is 2008 University World champion Katherine Fulp-Allen of Menlo College at 51 kg/112.25 pounds. Others to watch include Shermaine Danner of Missouri Baptist College at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Tani Ader of Jamestown at 59 kg/130 lbs.
One thing is for sure. None of the 2008 WCWA National champions return, so there will be a whole new set of national champions being crowned this year.
All of the conference coaches agree that this will be the most competitive women's college nationals event ever held.
"Compared to last year, this is a whole new ballgame," said Randall. "Every weight class is loaded. It is a real exciting deal."
The top teams in U.S. women's college wrestling, as well as Canadian power Simon Fraser Univ., will come together to determine the national team champions, as well as individual champions in the 10 women's college weight classes.
The WCWA was formed last year, and held its first national tournament under the new organization. The Women's College Nationals event began in 2004, when it was held at Missouri Valley College, and has grown in size and prestige ever since.
Last year, the Univ. of the Cumberlands, a perennial women's power, edged the new program from Oklahoma City University by just one point in the team standings. It was the third straight women's college national team title for the Patriots under Coach Kip Flanik.
This year, Archie Randall's Oklahoma City team enters the event as a strong favorite. The Stars won the National Duals team title in January, and finished their season with an impressive 22-1 record. The only loss came to the Univ. of the Cumberlands in a dual meet tournament in Canada.
"I think we have a really good shot," said OCU Coach Archie Randall. "If the women wrestle well, we can be in a position to win the tournament. We have tough opponents in the Cumberlands and Simon Fraser. At many of the weight classes, anybody can win in the bracket. We come off a one-point disappointment at last year's nationals. The girls are fired up and we enter the tournament healthy."
Randall has a competitive athlete in all 10 weight divisions, with a number of potential individual champions. Athletes from OCU who are expected to receive No. 1 seeds include Michaela Hutchison at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Stefenie Shaw at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Others with major title hopes include Stephanie Waters at 44 kg/97 lbs., Leanne Barney at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Ashley Hudson at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Lacey Novinska at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
"If the girls have a good day, if they feel good about themselves, we could have a finalist in every weight class," said Randall.
The Univ. of the Cumberlands has won three straight women's national titles, but comes in as the underdog based upon the results of the season. Coach Kip Flanik has confidence in his team, but knows it will take a strong effort to keep the team title.
"We are real excited to be going back again," said Flanik about the WCWA Nationals. "We are bringing a very, very young team. We are going against a great Oklahoma City team and a great Simon Fraser team, as well as good individuals from some of the other teams. We will be hard pressed to repeat. If our young girls step up and wrestle hard, I think it is possible."
Contenders for national titles for the Patriots include Ashley Shannon at 44 kg/97 lbs., Gabby Henry at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Jackie Stiles at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Paige Rife at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Kendra Lewis at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Simon Fraser brings a small but talented team to its first WCWA Nationals, with some battle-tested athletes who have been successful on the Canadian college circuit. Simon Fraser has entered a number of events where American teams participated, and has done well in some of their matchups.
Simon Fraser athletes who should receive high seeds include Ashley McKilligan at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Danielle Lappage at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Hillary Greening at 82 kg/180.25 lbs.
Host Missouri Valley is capable of challenging among the top teams. Vikings Coach Carl Murphree is looking for strong efforts from his top three performers this year, Jen Germany at 59 kg/130 lbs., Karen Howe at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Amy Havens at 95 kg/209 lbs.. In addition, 2005 College National champion Rachel Billerbeck returns at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., seeking to return to the top of the podium.
"I am looking for a top three finish," said Murphree. "I think hosting will help our athletes and give them a little incentive to train even harder."
There are some exceptional athletes from other teams entered in the tournament who will make life difficult for the stars from the established programs. Included in the field of top challengers is 2008 University World champion Katherine Fulp-Allen of Menlo College at 51 kg/112.25 pounds. Others to watch include Shermaine Danner of Missouri Baptist College at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Tani Ader of Jamestown at 59 kg/130 lbs.
One thing is for sure. None of the 2008 WCWA National champions return, so there will be a whole new set of national champions being crowned this year.
All of the conference coaches agree that this will be the most competitive women's college nationals event ever held.
"Compared to last year, this is a whole new ballgame," said Randall. "Every weight class is loaded. It is a real exciting deal."
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