Ashley Sword made the biggest move of her wrestling career this past summer.
After coming to Oklahoma to go on a camping trip with her good friend, Sword began to contemplate coming to Oklahoma City University to wrestle for the new program.
Her good friend was Kristie Marano, who is the fiancée of OCU assistant coach Link Davis and an accomplished wrestler herself.
“I was unhappy with my performance at the Olympic training center and know how Coach Davis coached,” Sword said. “I had long talks with Coach Davis and knew the great success that Coach (Archie) Randall had had in the past. I was thankful when I decided to come that they had a spot for me. This was the best decision I could have done for my wrestling career.”
This past weekend at the NWCA/Cliff Keen women’s national duals, Sword allowed one point in three matches in being named outstanding wrestler of the event. The Stars won the dual national title in their first year competing intercollegiately.
Sword, a junior from West Palm Beach, Fla., is this week’s Super Star of the Week.
“I didn’t think I would be the outstanding wrestler because there were so many other great wrestlers,” Sword said. “I was mad at myself for letting one point affect our team, but after realizing what I had done, I was excited. I am so very proud of the girls. We have worked very hard for this.”
For the past five years Sword has been at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and hopes to compete this summer in the Olympic Games in China. For Sword to qualify, she must win tournaments that are later in the season.
She hopes to always be a part of the wrestling community and has talked to Coach Randall about pursuing her master’s while being a graduate assistant coach.
If coaching does not pan out, she would love to sell her art. Sword has already sold pieces of original art she created.
More on Ashley:
Best wrestler I've ever competed against: Kristie Marano
The actor who would play me in my life story: Zooey Deschanel
The best match I ever had: Winning my first match after my third knee surgery
Reason I picked OCU: I wanted to be able to go to school and become an Olympic champ
When I finish competing, the thing I will miss the most: Traveling around the world with my friends
