OKLAHOMA CITY – Kristie Davis and Brittany Delgado of Oklahoma City University will represent the United States in the Canada Cup on Saturday and Sunday in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The Canada Cup will be one of several international events that OCU wrestlers will compete in to hone their skills. Davis will wrestle for the U.S. Senior Women's World Team, while Delgado will be on the U.S. FILA Junior Women's World Team this weekend.
The Stars own the past two Women's College Wrestling Association championships and the last three NWCA National Duals crowns. OCU will open its college season with duals against Cumberlands (Ky.) and Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Oct. 2 at Abe Lemons Arena.
“Our women's program is getting unbelievable international experience,” OCU coach Archie Randall said. “We are the only university that has this many competing.”
Davis qualified for the team with her performance in the World Team Trials. Davis, the former Kristie Marano, captured the world championship in 2000 and 2003 among many other accolades. She will wrestle at 67 kilograms (147.5 pounds) this weekend.
“Kristie is looking really good,” Randall said. “Kristie expects to win it. She is the United States' hope for a medal in the World Games.”
Delgado, a junior-to-be at OCU from Fountain Inn, S.C., won the 95-kilogram (209-pound) WCWA national title for the Stars. She will compete at 72 kilos (158.5 pounds) for the United States.
“This is great for training,” U.S. coach Terry Steiner said. “This is a good tuneup for the Junior World Team. For the Senior World Team, it is a good starting point for us to find focus areas as we prepare for the Senior Worlds.”
Next up for OCU will be Taylor Busboom and Brittany Roberts in the Pan American Games on July 9-11 in Managua, Nicaragua.
Delgado will also wrestle for the U.S. Junior World Team in the Junior World Team Games on July 12-25 in Budapest, Hungary.
Michaela Hutchison and Amberle Montgomery of OCU will be on the U.S. Freestyle Team, while Kayla Chappell and Kirsten Strickler will be on the U.S. Sombo Team in the Sports Accord Combat Games on Sept. 1-2 in Beijing.
Davis will also compete in the World Championships on Sept. 6-12 in Moscow.
Montgomery and Ashley Hudson will be on the U.S. University World Team for the University World Games on Oct. 26-29 in Torino, Italy.
