Takedown Report

Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 16 {College}

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Have been delinquent in posting news about Women’s college teams so more stories than usual are included. In spite of the limitations imposed by the CoVid Pandemic crisis opportunities for women to wrestle competitively have grown with more schools adding or announcing they will add a wrestling team for women. The will also be more girls wrestling on sanctioned teams and tournaments on the scholastic levels which will provide more incoming experienced girls to continue on to wrestle on the collegiate level. Keep on wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2934 (6/21/21)
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1 } – NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!! Women’s Wrestling Defends Title and Have Six Individual National Champions
The No.1 McKendree University women’s wrestling team defended its National Championship at the second-annual Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats also added six individual champions. Sam Schmitz‘s team was represented by 15 wrestlers, where eight made it into the finals. In the end, McKendree won its second consecutive NCWWC Title with 209 points while 14 Bearcats were named All-Americans. Six Bearcats were crowned individual National Champions, and head coach Schmitz was named Coach of the Year and Coach of the NCWWC Tournament.

This tournament was also a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, that will take place in Fort Worth, Tex., April 2-3. According to the procedures, “the highest placed NCWWC Senior Women’s Freestyle athlete per weight category who has yet to qualify, will qualify to enter the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – wrestling at the weight category she chooses”. There were 10 women who punches their ticket to Fort Worth, including five Bearcats. … rest of story at https://mckbearcats.com/news/2021/3/6/no-1-womens-wrestling-defends-ncwwc-title-six-individual-national-champions.aspx?mc_cid=98fec82373&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – McKendree had tough decisions to make on its way to a second national women’s title
Even before the tournament began, McKendree coach Sam Schmitz had a decision to make. His team entered the second annual National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Tiffin, Ohio, on March 6 as the reigning champions and the favorite to repeat. As a refresher, 2020 was the first year that NCAA-affiliated programs hosted a stand-alone championship exclusive of NAIA and juniors colleges. Prior to that, the WCWA championships served as an end-of-the-year tournament for women’s collegiate wrestling programs regardless of affiliation.

Unlike last year, there was a qualification procedure to compete at the 2021 national tournament. Each team could qualify up to 15 athletes but only one wrestler per weight was allowed to score.  That posed a unique challenge for Schmitz as his team sent 15 wrestlers to the tournament, which played out in the strangest way at 101 pounds. Reigning national champion Pauline Granados was seeded third behind her teammate, Lizette Rodriguez. The two were predicted to meet in the semifinals but Rodriguez — the No. 2 seed — was upset in the quarterfinals and eventually wrestled back for third. Granados reached the finals but dropped a 3-3 match to Angelina Gomez of Emmanuel.  … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1615113557966&twSessionId=hqmldenbei&postId=1111296135&mc_cid=98fec82373&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Six storylines to follow at this weekend’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships

The 2021 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships are in Tiffin, Ohio, on March 6. This is the second year for the tournament that features NCAA women’s wrestling programs across all divisions. Unlike last year, wrestlers had to qualify for the championships through a regional tournament. However, multiple wrestlers from a team can participate. For example, McKendree — the returning team champions — qualified 15 wrestlers for the championships. However, only 10 wrestlers can score and they must be preselected in advance. Here are six storylines to follow heading into this year’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. 

101 SHOULD BE LOTS OF FUN

Sophomore Pauline Granados of McKendree is the returning champion at 101 pounds, but she has her work cut out if she plans to repeat. Granados won 5-1 in the finals thanks to a spectacular five-point throw. She will need something big to stand atop the podium in 2021. Her teammate — freshman Lizette Rodriguez — is seeded second and junior Jaclyn McNichols of King is seeded first. Rodriguez posted a 4-3 win over Granados at the regional championships while McNichols — a fourth place finisher at last year’s tournament — defeated Granados earlier in the season.

SHILSON SEEMS UNSTOPPABLE

Although she has taken losses against senior-level competition, Emily Shilson of Augsburg has yet to taste defeat during a college match. The 2018 Cadet World champion blitzed through the 109-pound bracket in 2020 with two technical superiorities and two falls.
… rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1614803894669&twSessionId=jyimczeiha&postId=1104138135&mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – NWCA Announces 2021 NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year
Jamestown, ND – On Thursday evening the NAIA hosted a virtual National Championship Coaches Social.  At the conclusion of the event, National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director Mike Moyer recognized the five finalists for the NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year and announced the winner as selected by their peers. The award is presented to the coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The NWCA National Coach of the Year awards program is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. “In continuing our mission, Defense Soap is proud to partner with the NWCA, to keep wrestlers on the mat with our products and education in hygiene.” Guy Sako, Founder and CEO of Defense Soap. The recipient of this year’s NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year is Lee Miracle of Campbellsville University (KY).  Coach Miracle is in his 8th season as head coach and his achievements this season include an 8-0 dual meet record capped by a regular-season Mid-South Conference championship, a 3rd MSC Individual Tournament title with seven finalists, five individual conference champions, and 12 athletes qualified for the NAIA Championships.  His current roster is comprised of 43 wrestlers. … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-announces-2021-naia-womens-national-coach-of-the-year/?mc_cid=1a80b5744e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Augsburg women’s wrestling coach Mejia stepping down
MINNEAPOLIS — Augsburg University Women’s Wrestling Head Coach Max Mejia has submitted his resignation, after leading the Auggie program for the past two seasons, the university announced on Tuesday. Mejia helped to launch the Auggie women’s wrestling program in 2019, coaching the team through its first two seasons. The Auggies finished fifth at the 2021 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCAA schools) on Saturday, the best finish among all NCAA Division III teams at the event. “I have appreciated my time here in the Augsburg Athletics Department,” Mejia said. “It has been a blessing to be involved with a university with such a strong wrestling culture. It was special to be a part of the process that led to establishing the only women’s wrestling program in the state of Minnesota.” Mejia is scheduled to complete his coaching responsibilities on March 12, before relocating to Oregon to be with his fiance. A national search will begin immediately for Mejia’s replacement, according to Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson. … rest of story at https://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2021/3/8/wwr030821.aspx?mc_cid=2cfe70fede&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – John Smith: ‘Oklahoma State Is In Talks’ about Adding a Women’s Program
During Oklahoma State’s weekly wrestling media availability, John Smith was asked about the pandemic and how it’s impacting programs. He had a number of comments, but one specifically related to its impact on women’s wrestling. “I think we’ll come out of this in good shape,” said Smith. “I think it probably put the brakes on in a lot of ways with women’s wrestling for just a moment, not long. I’ll say, I think as we come out of this, women’s wrestling has a real opportunity of growth.” John then discussed the impact on his program, “I look at my check every month, it’s a big difference,” Smith said. “It’s OK, what Coach Holder has done, it’s OK. It takes some leadership, you gotta make some decisions, not everyone is going to agree with it. In the end Oklahoma State appears to be in good shape as we go forward. You’re not doing that without making hard decisions. My operating budget, I’ll probably end up spending 35-40% of it. That’s a good thing. If all of our sports are doing the same, which they are, we’re going to be in a lot better place when this thing is over.” I followed up by asking Coach Smith if when things get back to normal could we ever see a women’s program at Oklahoma State? … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/john-smith-oklahoma-state-is-in-talks-about-adding-a-womens-program/?mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – CAMPBELLSVILLE WINS NAIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL INVITATIONAL WITH LIFE SECOND; 10 WRESTLERS PUNCH TICKET TO OLYMPIC TRIALS
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Led by five finalists and 10 All-Americans, top-ranked Campbellsville claimed the team title at the NAIA Women’s National Invitational on Saturday at Jamestown University. Campbellsville had 185 points, ahead of second place Life with 134.5 points. Wayland Baptist placed third with 100 points, Oklahoma City was fourth with 96.5 points and Southern Oregon was fifth with 94.5 points. Campbellsville finished with one individual champion, McKayla Campbell (109) and four runners-up. Campbell won a crazy final, where it went to the final seconds before she beat 2019 NAIA national champion Asia Ray of Wayland Baptist, 16-14. Ray, a past Junior World medalist, was attempting to become the first two-time NAIA individual national champion. Campbell competed on two U.S. Junior World Teams. Runners-up for Campbellsville were Charlotte Fowler (116), Angela Vitiritti (130) , Randi Robison (136) and Alexandra Castillo (170). … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/13/Campbellsville-wins-NAIA-Womens-Nationals?mc_cid=adf7973f0f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Making Her-story: Bolton becomes first female Spartan to receive wrestling scholarship
Emporia High senior Caitlin Bolton made history when she signed to continue her wrestling career at Hastings College on Wednesday, making her the first Spartan from Emporia’s two-year-old girls wrestling program to take her talents to the next level. The NAIA school is one of only a few dozen to offer women’s college wrestling and just completed its first season back in March. The moment was monumental but not just for Bolton alone. She said that being on the leading edge of the girls wrestling wave at her high school would hopefully bring in more girls to the sport. “That makes me feel really good that I’m making the walk for other girls so hopefully that makes them think that ‘Hey, I can do this too. If she can do it, we can all do it,’ and hopefully it just keeps growing and growing,” she said. Shawn Russell, Emporia High’s girls wrestling coach, said that, during the two seasons that Bolton was on the girls wrestling team, she provided a great deal to the team both on and off the mat. … rest of story at http://www.emporiagazette.com/gaz/article_ad18bfd8-9957-11eb-b3e6-2f88e51452b6.html?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Alvernia Names Brazel Marquez As First Women’s Wrestling Coach
Reading, Pa. (April 14, 2021) – Alvernia University Director of Athletics Bill Stiles announced on Wednesday the hiring of Brazel Marquez as the first head coach of Alvernia’s NCAA Division III Women’s Wrestling program. Marquez joins the Alvernia staff following two years at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia. “Brazel’s experience coaching at some of the top of intercollegiate women’s wrestling programs in the country, along with her outstanding career as a student-athlete, immediately jumped her to the top of the list of candidates,” said Stiles. “Her passion, commitment to the student-athlete, and drive make her the perfect fit for Alvernia.” At Division II Emmanuel College, Marquez was the assistant coach to a program that was ranked third in the NCAA. During her time at Emmanual, Marquez coached 13 All-Americans, two national champion runner-ups and a 2021 national champion. Marquez also coached two 2021 Olympic Trial qualifiers for this year’s Tokyo Olympics. … rest of story at https://auwolves.com/news/2021/4/14/alvernia-names-brazel-marquez-as-first-womens-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – NEW FRIENDS WRESTLING COACH AARON MEISTER REFLECTS ON RECRUITING, COACHING OLYMPIAN TAMYRA MENSAH-STOCK
WICHITA, Kan. – When Aaron Meister was chosen to pioneer the new Friends University men’s and women’s wrestling programs as the team’s first-ever head coach, he brought with him vast experience of success and coaching winners.  One highlight of his previous coaching stop at Wayland Baptist University was recruiting and coaching Tamyra Mensah-Stock, who earlier this month qualified for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics by winning the 68kg series 2-0 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas. Below, Meister goes in-depth to describe his experience recruiting and coaching Mensah-Stock while both were at WBU. “Tamyra Mensah-Stock is finishing what she started – “The Olympic Journey”

“When I was recruiting Tamyra one of the first conversations we had on her recruiting trip was what her goal in wrestling was, and she replied “I want to be an Olympian.” My reply to her statement was “greater the goal greater the commitment.” She replied to me and stated, “I’ve got the heart of a champion.” And that statement literally gave me goosebumps. From that moment on we did everything in our power to prepare her for this moment, and she’s done everything that was needed. As a Coach seeing your athlete reach the pinnacle is one of the most rewarding things to experience. I’m so grateful to have been a part of her journey. I’m equally grateful to have had this experience at such a young age in my career. Some people wait a lifetime, and some people never even get the opportunity at all so for me to experience this at such a young age is truly a blessing. Having gone through that process I now know what it takes and will use this experience for the people that I work with now.

In wrestling Tamyra has done just about everything there is to do, except win an Olympic Gold medal. She’s already won a World Championship, which is much more difficult to do than win an Olympic Championship, but we value the Olympics more because they’re held only once every four years. … rest of story at https://www.friendsathletics.com/article/3754?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Texas Women’s University ATHLETICS ADDS WOMEN’S WRESTLING
DENTON, Texas – Texas Woman’s University has furthered its commitment to providing additional competitive opportunities for women within intercollegiate athletics, announcing Thursday that the university will launch an intercollegiate women’s wrestling program beginning in the fall of 2022. The search for the program’s first coach will begin soon. “Bringing women’s wrestling to Texas Woman’s University is an exciting venture at just the right time,” said Sandee Mott, Director of Athletics. “As one of the fastest-growing sports across the nation, and specifically our state and region, this team will allow us to further the mission of the University as we empower women through education, competition, and leadership development. Wrestling is a perfect complement to the current make-up of our department. The first task is to get the right coach who can come in and build the foundation of the program to ensure its success immediately and long-term.”

One of the fastest-growing scholastic sports with over 21,000 participants in 21 states, women’s wrestling was approved for emerging sport status within the NCAA in January 2020. The program is a natural fit for the state of Texas, who has a strong claim as the top state for women’s wrestling in the nation. In the most recent USA Wrestling women’s rankings, Texas has three female wrestlers in the top spot, more than any other state in the country with the exception of California. The state of Texas has the second-highest number of participants in raw numbers, with 4,421 girls competing at the high school level. … rest of story at https://twuathletics.com/news/2021/4/22/wrestling-twu-athletics-adds-womens-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=391a23a860&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Self-belief, inner strength drive Lauren Mason’s new wrestling journey
Lauren Mason was attracted to Simon Fraser University from California to compete for the women’s wrestling program and to study abroad, and through that process she has discovered so much about herself. “I got to experience a new country, a new place I had never been. I learned about the sport of wrestling, my body, and my mindset when I compete,” said Mason, reflecting on her five years at SFU.  “And most importantly, I learned that I can do hard things; I can finish what I start, and that I can have fun while doing it.” During Mason’s five years women’s wrestling finished second in its pursuit of the national team championship each year (2017-2020). Mason picked up a pair of bronze medals at nationals in 2019 and 2020 after placing eighth at her first national tournament in 2018.
… rest of story at https://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2021/5/3/wrestling-w-self-belief-inner-strength-drive-lauren-masons-new-wrestling-journey.aspx?mc_cid=2136f7bdf1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

13 | – Paulina Biega Named First SHU Women’s Wrestling Head Coach
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Embracing its pioneering spirit, Sacred Heart University announced last fall that it would add the first varsity women’s wrestling program in New England. On Thursday, SHU named Paulina Biega as the program’s first head coach. She will be the first female NCAA Division 1 wrestling coach in the country. A collegiate and international wrestler herself, Biega comes to the Pioneers after two seasons as the assistant coach at Campbellsville University. During the 2019-20 campaign she helped the Tigers win their second-straight national championship then CU repeated as national champs the following year. In addition, the Tigers were runners-up at the 2020 NWCA National Duals and back-to-back Mid-South Conference Champions. 

“I feel very blessed and honored to be named the first head women’s wrestling coach at Sacred Heart University,” Biega said. “It has been a dream come true to be a part of an institution like this one and I will do my best to meet and exceed expectations.” The 2019-20 title team dominated the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships. A record-setting 13 CU student-athletes earned All-America honors, including a trio of individual national champions. 

Sacred Heart will begin competition this fall as a member of the WCWA. With the addition of women’s wrestling, the Pioneers will have 34 varsity teams, including 21 for women.  “Paulina Biega is a champion in every sense of the word and is the epitome of a great leader,” SHU head coach John Clark said. “Coach Biega is going to do amazing things here at Sacred Heart University and I can’t wait to see what the women’s team is going to accomplish in the coming years.” … rest of story at https://sacredheartpioneers.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210506pe03kz?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

14 } – Minot State University Athletics Announces it will add Women’s Wrestling
MINOT, N.D. – MSU Director of Athletics, Andy Carter announced today, “I am proud to represent Minot State University Athletics. It is with tremendous excitement and anticipation to announce MSU will be adding Women’s Wrestling as an intercollegiate varsity sport within Beaver Athletics.” We will lead the state’s public higher education landscape with this addition as MSU will become the first among the 11 North Dakota University System campuses to have a Women’s Wrestling team. The timing is also perfect as the North Dakota High School Activities Association just a few weeks ago announced that girls wrestling would be added as an officially sanctioned sport for the first time beginning with the 2021-22 academic year.”

Minot State University Department of Athletics has been working with external consultants during the past year in a comprehensive and rigorous review of the Athletic Department’s overall Title IX compliance. The federal Title IX Act of 1972 impacts all aspects of higher education, but specifically within Athletics it requires that institutions provide equitable treatment of student-athletes in three specific areas: athletic participation opportunities, proportional availability of athletic scholarships for males, and females, and equal treatment of male and female student-athletes. … rest of story at https://msubeavers.com/news/2021/5/6/general-minot-state-athletics-announces-it-will-add-womens-wrestling-in-2021-22.aspx?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

15 } – NWCA 2021 NAIA Women’s Scholar All-America Awards
Manheim, PA – On Wednesday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the 2021 Scholar All-America teams and individual honorees for the NAIA Women. Awards went to 48 individuals representing nine institutions. University of the Cumberlands took the team race with a 3.538 team GPA followed closely by Runners Up Indiana Tech (3.513) and Third Place Life University (3.509). Rounding out the Top Five was #4 Baker University (3.332) and #5 Missouri Baptist University (3.224) “Spring is always an exciting time as we get to continue honoring student-athletes following the season with our Scholar All-American Awards,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “Competitive success is something our athletes should strive for, but of equal or greater importance is their academic performance.  Today we honor our outstanding list of scholars from the NAIA Women’s division for their commitment to excellence in the classroom. I have no doubt that these young athletes will go on to do great things in any area they choose to ply their trade.” This year’s individual awards include two NAIA National Champions, … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-2021-naia-womens-scholar-all-america-awards/?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 21, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized