Nothing was going to stop Brittany Delgado from winning a national championship this year, not even the flu.
Delgado, a sophomore from Fountain Inn, S.C., is this week’s Super Star of the Week after overcoming illness to defeat Jessica Scott of Cumberlands (Ky.) in the 95-kilogram finals in the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association national championships this past weekend. Oklahoma City University repeated as WCWA national champions.
“Friday and Saturday I was physically sick, and I had to wrestle not at my best,” Delgado said. “It feels great to be a national champion, especially after my performance last year.”
Delgado finished third in the national championships a year ago, something that motivated her to work hard this season and bring home the title.
“Last year’s third-place finish motivated me because I was supposed to win it,” Delgado said. “I didn’t give it my best, and I lost. It was a reality check that just because you’re supposed to win doesn’t mean you will unless you work hard. With that in mind, I have been pushing myself this year to do better and actually win it.”
Also different this year was Delgado’s weight class. After a season-ending injury to Karon Scott midway through the season, Delgado moved from 82 to 95 with the expectation of filling the spot at the national tournament for OCU.
“Ninety-five kilograms is not my normal weight class,” Delgado said. “That was a big difference that I had to make up.”
OCU coach Archie Randall said of Delgado’s development, “Brittany from last year to this year has become confident in her ability to wrestle with anyone at any weight.”
Off the mat, Delgado enjoys working with kids and plans to be a science teacher after she graduates from OCU. She was involved with a day camp this summer called Project Transformation, where she helped as a physical education teacher for underprivileged elementary-aged children.
“I got to work with some of the most amazing kids,” she said. “A lot of them, if they weren’t involved in Project Transformation, would be hungry, bored or doing something destructive in the community. It was one of those moments that made me appreciate how lucky I was growing up. It was my chance to give back to the community.”
To see the OCU Athletics Update with an interview with Delgado, click here.
More on Brittany:
Funniest person I know: My sister Brieana Delgado
The top of my to-do list: Working out
Person whose brain I’d like to pick: Winston Churchill
Which is best, Chipotle, Moe’s or Qdoba: Moe’s
Dream car: ’69 Camaro or Mustang
