OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University’s women’s wrestling team has exceeded expectations for a first-year program.
OCU coach Archie Randall talked in the preseason about building a foundation for the future. Instead, the Stars captured the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Dual championship, rose to No. 1 in the national rankings, have three top-ranked individuals and will be a contender for the national championship in the Women’s College Wrestling National Championships on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Randall said Ashley Hudson at 55 kilograms (121 pounds) and Nicole Woody at 48 kilos (105 pounds) will play key roles in determining OCU’s national-title chances.
Woody, Carrie Clark at 82 (181) and Lacey Novinska at 72 (158) are ranked No. 1 nationally in their weight classes. Briana Conway (63 kg/138 lbs.), Karon Scott (95/209), Melissa Simmons (72/158) and Ashley Sword (67/147) are each slotted No. 2 in their weight-class rankings.
Randall said Hudson and Woody would need to place at their weights for second-ranked OCU to upend top-ranked defending champion Cumberlands (Ky.).
“We’re going to have to perform well in the light weights,” Randall said. “We have to place higher than Cumberlands at each weight. Our upper weights are really good. We can win five weights. We have a good shot to be national champions.”
The tournament starts Saturday at 9 a.m. Semifinals are expected to begin at 1 p.m., third-place matches at 4 p.m., and the championship finals at 7:30 p.m., all at Abe Lemons Arena.
National titles are at stake at 44 kilos (97 lbs.), 48 (105), 51 (112), 55 (121), 59 (130), 63 (138), 67 (147), 72 (158), 82 (181) and 95 (209).
The champions at 48, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67 and 72 will qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials on June 13-15 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
World Champion, Olympic Team Coach, and Hall of Fame wrestler Trish Saunders will conduct a free women’s wrestling technique clinic at noon at Abe Lemons Arena sponsored by Body Bar Systems, a USA Wrestling Women’s National Team sponsor. For information on the clinic, call Randall at 208-5379.