Oklahoma City University should be the heavy favorite to once again come away with the Women's College Wrestling Association championship and the NWCA National Duals title.
The Stars return 12 of their 13 all-Americans who contributed to their second consecutive WCWA crown and third consecutive national dual championship last season.
OCU opens the season Saturday with duals against Cumberlands (Ky.) and Wayland Baptist (Texas). The Stars meet Wayland Baptist at noon, then Cumberlands at 4 p.m. All the duals Saturday will be available via live video stream.
Meanwhile, OCU has added recruits that should increase competition to get to the mat.
“We had an outstanding recruiting class,” OCU coach Archie Randall said. “We think they will fit nicely into our lineup. We return everybody from our national championship team.”
Delgado, a junior from Fountain Inn., S.C., has raised her profile internationally by competing in the Canada Cup and Junior World Team Games this summer. “She had a great off-season,” Randall said.
Hutchison, a junior from Soldotna, Alaska, has captured the past two 55-kilo national titles. However, she may find competition from within her squad from Na'Tasha Umemoto.
Montgomery, a sophomore from Orting, Wash., joined the Stars by the second semester to capture the national crown. She climbed to third at 63 in the U.S. women's rankings rankings after the World Team Trials. “She has responded very well to our program,” Randall said.
Waters, a senior from Joliet, Ill., will re-join the Stars by the second semester after spending the fall semester training with the U.S. Army reserve.
A weight-by-weight look at OCU:
44 kg (97 lbs.)
Brianna Rahall holds the early edge at this weight after being the most coveted lightweight recruit in the nation. Rahall, a freshman from Yorktown, Va., became a two-time Junior National all-American.
Kristi Garr and Waters will provide competition in the room for Rahall. Garr, a freshman from Goodrich, Mich., also comes highly touted.
48 (105)
Nicole Woody provides a veteran presence at this weight. Woody, a senior from Gambrills, Md., became a three-time all-American after finishing as 48-kilo runner-up last season.
Either Garr or Waters will compete with Woody at 48. “We're very solid,” Randall said of the competition at 48.
51 (112)
Joey Miller became an all-American as a freshman before being beset by injury as a sophomore. Miller, a sophomore from Woodward, Okla., expects to be the top Star at 51.
Logan Rich, a sophomore from Rockport, Maine, will use her experience from last season to challenge for the starting role. Two talented rookies, Madelynn McIlwain from Washougal, Wash., and Megan Yamaguchi from Wahiawa, Hawaii, will provide competition.
55 (121)
Umemoto, a junior from Portland, Ore., beat Hutchison in head-to-head competition last season to gain the early advantage at 55. Beyond Hutchison and Umemoto, Kirsten Strickler, a sophomore from Prosper, Texas, has shown improvement and owns five-point throws in her repertoire. Ashlee Vaughan, a sophomore from Maple Falls, Wash., was a two-time NWCA national champion. “Fifty-five looks good all the way around,” Randall said.
59 (130)
Ashley Hudson, a senior from Wildwood, Mo., enters as the favorite to start at 59 after becoming a three-time all-American last season. Audrey Morehouse, a sophomore from Moreno Valley, Calif., finished sixth at 59 kilos last season and should provide Hudson competition.
Kayla Chappell, a freshman from Moore, Okla., will rely on her judo skills to get into the mix. Samantha Phillips, a senior from Manteca, Calif., will be focused to return to all-American form, while Laura Ponshock, a sophomore from Tomball, Texas, has shown improvement over her freshman experience. “It doesn't matter who we send out to wrestle, we will be outstanding,” Randall said. “The whole weight class is loaded.”
63 (138)
Sheila McCabe, a senior from El Cajon, Calif., aims to push Montgomery at this weight. She owns an edge in head-to-head competition against Tessa Plana, a junior from Coppell, Texas, who is a two-time all-American and the 2009 national champion. Beatrice Martinez, a freshman from Fresno, Calif., aims to bolster depth at this weight.
67 (147)
Kristie Davis, a junior from Mustang, Okla., simply is the most decorated U.S. wrestler ever. The nine-time world medalist represented the United States in the Canada Cup and the World Championships in the off-season.
Brittney Roberts, a sophomore from Santa Fe, Texas, rose to become Davis' training partner with the U.S. World Team. Brittany Goebel, a freshman from Lena, Ill., was a highly-touted recruit.
72 (158)
Melissa Simmons, a junior from Ridgefield, Wash., became a two-time all-American by finishing as national runner-up at 82. She will return to 72 this season. Karra Stratton, a freshman from Frisco, Texas, brings experience from the U.S. Olympic Education Center and was the top recruit at her weight out of high school.
80 (176)
Delgado expects to hold down this weight.
90 (198)
Karon Scott, a senior from Austin, Texas, should continue to be reliable at this weight after becoming a two-time all-American.
The Stars come off a 23-0-1 dual season last season. OCU will take on all comers on this season's schedule, including perennial contender Cumberlands (Ky.).
“The WCWA has grown by two teams,” Randall said. “We believe the tournament will be tougher, but we believe we will repeat as national champions.”
