Schultz provides collegiate women great experience before nationals
Share:
by Alexandra Pernice
Sarah Hildebrandt in the semifinals at the 2015 Dave Schultz Memorial. Photo by Robbert Wijtman.
For the collegiate women competing in the 2015 Dave Schultz Memorial International, their time on the mat here in Colorado Springs is no longer a post-season affair.
In past years, the WCWA Nationals have fallen before the international competition occurs. This year, athletes will have the chance to further strengthen their skills against both national and international competitors before they face their season’s peak.
The WCWA Nationals, hosted by Missouri Baptist University, will occur two weeks after the Dave Schultz Memorial from Feb. 13-14.
It could be said that competing in such a high-caliber tournament that occurs so close to nationals might have a large affect on these athletes and their training. However, there is a common theme amongst the college coaches in attendance at Schultz – that this is just another day at the gym.
“We’re used to competing almost every weekend. This is kind of just keeping with our routine. I don’t bring every one of my athletes to this tournament; it is a higher level of competition. However, this doesn’t change the kind of day that it is for us,” said Cumberlands Head Women’s Coach Donnie Stephens.
That doesn’t go without saying, though, that winning at Schultz is a small feat. For King University Assistant Women’s Coach Nicole Woody, she views the experience as a chance to give her athletes a new perspective, especially with there being time before their national competition.
“There’s a big mental difference for the girls this year than last year. They are a lot more excited to wrestle in Schultz since it does fall before nationals. Everyone used to dread competing here because it always came days after their national competition. All of the girls that are here right now though are just pumped to be here,” said Woody.
Collegiate women are competing against some of the best women’s competition in the world at Schultz. Some of the collegians are among the best in the country. This tournament can be a humbling experience, but it gives them all a chance to test themselves with opponents from across the world.
“I’ve seen some of these athletes, I’ve also talked to a few of them. From those experiences I’ve realized that they’re the same as me. They may have wrestled a little bit longer and a little more than I have, but they still have fears. They still get nervous, so it starts to not matter,” said Oklahoma City University sophomore Cody Pfau.
This is Pfau’s second year competing at Schultz, but for some athletes it’s old hat.
King University’s Sarah Hildebrandt, for instance, is no stranger to the atmosphere that this competition provides.
“Schultz is a pretty exciting and well known tournament. A lot of people know it’s for a great cause, a great person. I never would have expected to be wrestling out here, at international tournaments like this. It’s hard to realize I have experience at tournaments like this, but when I do it’s a pretty cool feeling. It’s great to be a part of all of this. I’m extremely blessed,” said Hildebrandt.
Hildebrandt, who defeated Evelina Nikolova of Bulgaria by fall in 2:32 in an exciting semifinal, will face 2012 World silver medalist Helen Maroulis of Sunkist Kids in the 55 kg/121 lbs final.
A few collegiate women have wowed the crowds with some wonderful upsets. King University sophomore Haley Augello defeated 2008 World University champion and 2014 U.S. World Team runner-up Katherine Fulp-Allen in the semifinals, 10-1 at 53 kg/116 lbs.
Augello will go head-to-head against World Team member Whitney Conder of Army WCAP in the 53 kg final.
Sophomore Kayla Aggio of Oklahoma City University defeated Breanne Graham of Canada 8-0 to reach the finals. She will wrestle No. 2 ranked Erin Clodgo of Sunkist Kids for the 63 kg/138 lbs championship.
While keeping their athletes healthy and prepared for nationals is a focus, the coaches also recognize that Schultz could be a very positive experience for the wrestlers that they bring to compete.
“Schultz is a monster of a tournament. Every bracket is going to have World medalists and Olympians in it. You’re not going to come here and walk through this tournament no matter who you are. For our very best wrestlers, they come here to try to see where they’re at on the World and Olympic stage. This event is almost a way to test themselves outside of the WCWA,” said Campbellsville Head Women’s Wrestling Coach Lee Miracle.
For Oklahoma City University Head Women’s Coach Archie Randall, having his athletes wrestle in Schultz gives them a chance to not only compete, but to take a moment to enjoy what they do.
“For us, the focus of the tournament is to relax and have fun. Sure, they’re going to be wrestling some matches against top quality athletes. But there is a certain kind of stress that comes with preparing for and wrestling in nationals. When that happens, wrestling isn’t fun anymore. You’re worried about winning; you’re worried about a shot. Coming to this two weeks before a national tournament gives them a chance to take a break and really enjoy the sport that they truly love,” said Randall.
Even though these teams are here for the experience and the chance to win gold, they also realize that this tournament holds a special place in the season, no matter where it falls on the schedule.
“Like a lot of American wrestlers, Dave Schultz was a hero of mine growing up. To be able to come back to the memorial and explain who Dave Schultz was to my girls is a big deal. It is a great honor to be here,” said Stephens.
For the collegiate women competing in the 2015 Dave Schultz Memorial International, their time on the mat here in Colorado Springs is no longer a post-season affair.
In past years, the WCWA Nationals have fallen before the international competition occurs. This year, athletes will have the chance to further strengthen their skills against both national and international competitors before they face their season’s peak.
The WCWA Nationals, hosted by Missouri Baptist University, will occur two weeks after the Dave Schultz Memorial from Feb. 13-14.
It could be said that competing in such a high-caliber tournament that occurs so close to nationals might have a large affect on these athletes and their training. However, there is a common theme amongst the college coaches in attendance at Schultz – that this is just another day at the gym.
“We’re used to competing almost every weekend. This is kind of just keeping with our routine. I don’t bring every one of my athletes to this tournament; it is a higher level of competition. However, this doesn’t change the kind of day that it is for us,” said Cumberlands Head Women’s Coach Donnie Stephens.
That doesn’t go without saying, though, that winning at Schultz is a small feat. For King University Assistant Women’s Coach Nicole Woody, she views the experience as a chance to give her athletes a new perspective, especially with there being time before their national competition.
“There’s a big mental difference for the girls this year than last year. They are a lot more excited to wrestle in Schultz since it does fall before nationals. Everyone used to dread competing here because it always came days after their national competition. All of the girls that are here right now though are just pumped to be here,” said Woody.
Collegiate women are competing against some of the best women’s competition in the world at Schultz. Some of the collegians are among the best in the country. This tournament can be a humbling experience, but it gives them all a chance to test themselves with opponents from across the world.
“I’ve seen some of these athletes, I’ve also talked to a few of them. From those experiences I’ve realized that they’re the same as me. They may have wrestled a little bit longer and a little more than I have, but they still have fears. They still get nervous, so it starts to not matter,” said Oklahoma City University sophomore Cody Pfau.
This is Pfau’s second year competing at Schultz, but for some athletes it’s old hat.
King University’s Sarah Hildebrandt, for instance, is no stranger to the atmosphere that this competition provides.
“Schultz is a pretty exciting and well known tournament. A lot of people know it’s for a great cause, a great person. I never would have expected to be wrestling out here, at international tournaments like this. It’s hard to realize I have experience at tournaments like this, but when I do it’s a pretty cool feeling. It’s great to be a part of all of this. I’m extremely blessed,” said Hildebrandt.
Hildebrandt, who defeated Evelina Nikolova of Bulgaria by fall in 2:32 in an exciting semifinal, will face 2012 World silver medalist Helen Maroulis of Sunkist Kids in the 55 kg/121 lbs final.
A few collegiate women have wowed the crowds with some wonderful upsets. King University sophomore Haley Augello defeated 2008 World University champion and 2014 U.S. World Team runner-up Katherine Fulp-Allen in the semifinals, 10-1 at 53 kg/116 lbs.
Augello will go head-to-head against World Team member Whitney Conder of Army WCAP in the 53 kg final.
Sophomore Kayla Aggio of Oklahoma City University defeated Breanne Graham of Canada 8-0 to reach the finals. She will wrestle No. 2 ranked Erin Clodgo of Sunkist Kids for the 63 kg/138 lbs championship.
While keeping their athletes healthy and prepared for nationals is a focus, the coaches also recognize that Schultz could be a very positive experience for the wrestlers that they bring to compete.
“Schultz is a monster of a tournament. Every bracket is going to have World medalists and Olympians in it. You’re not going to come here and walk through this tournament no matter who you are. For our very best wrestlers, they come here to try to see where they’re at on the World and Olympic stage. This event is almost a way to test themselves outside of the WCWA,” said Campbellsville Head Women’s Wrestling Coach Lee Miracle.
For Oklahoma City University Head Women’s Coach Archie Randall, having his athletes wrestle in Schultz gives them a chance to not only compete, but to take a moment to enjoy what they do.
“For us, the focus of the tournament is to relax and have fun. Sure, they’re going to be wrestling some matches against top quality athletes. But there is a certain kind of stress that comes with preparing for and wrestling in nationals. When that happens, wrestling isn’t fun anymore. You’re worried about winning; you’re worried about a shot. Coming to this two weeks before a national tournament gives them a chance to take a break and really enjoy the sport that they truly love,” said Randall.
Even though these teams are here for the experience and the chance to win gold, they also realize that this tournament holds a special place in the season, no matter where it falls on the schedule.
“Like a lot of American wrestlers, Dave Schultz was a hero of mine growing up. To be able to come back to the memorial and explain who Dave Schultz was to my girls is a big deal. It is a great honor to be here,” said Stephens.
Read More#
Sancho wins gold, Foy gets bronze, and USA wins Pan American Greco-Roman title with nine medals
Final X spots up for grabs at Senior World Team Trials next week in Louisville, Ky.
Maroulis, Martinez to meet at 57 kg in women’s freestyle at 2025 Final X in Newark, N.J.
Nine take UWW Futures freestyle crowns at 2025 CLAW U.S. Open Championships
