#14 Women's Wrestling 10/23/2013 2:03:00 PM

Stars look to regain national title in 2013-14

Second-ranked OCU brings back 10 returning all-Americans

OCU had 15 all-Americans last season, 10 of whom return for 2013-14.

Oklahoma City University enters 2013-14 with the ability, experience and talent necessary to again contend for the Women's College Wrestling Association national championship.
The Stars took national runner-up and fielded 15 all-Americans and two national champions last season. OCU, ranked second nationally in the preseason, brings back a two-time national champ and 10 all-Americans in a run for a fifth national title.
OCU starts the season with the Oklahoma City Duals on Friday and Saturday. The event features 14 schools, including each of the top 10 teams. Top-ranked King (Tenn.) and defending national champion Simon Fraser (British Columbia) will be competing.
The Stars meet 10th-ranked Midland (Neb.) at 11 a.m. Friday, then 17th-ranked McKendree (Ill.) at noon, Missouri Baptist White at 3 p.m. and fifth-ranked Missouri Valley at 5 p.m. Bracket rounds start 9 a.m., then the championship dual will be 1 p.m. Saturday.
Coming off falling short of the national championship by seven points, and with many of the Stars having helped OCU capture the previous four national titles, the Stars have been fueled to chase another national crown.
"Most of the girls from last year are different," OCU coach Archie Randall said. "The whole team is focused and hard working. There's no weak weights on our team. They're devoted and dedicated. We have a shot at four national champions."
Emily Webster, a junior from Sedalia, Mo., owns the past two 101-pound national titles and a 67-11 career record with 23 falls.
"She hasn't lost to a college girl in two years," Randall said. "She's on top of her game."
Brieana Delgado, a junior from Fountain Inn., S.C., has been motivated to win the national title after finishing third at 123 pounds in 2012-13 and becoming a two-time all-American.
"She's probably the toughest girl in our room," Randall said of Delgado. "With her technique and the work ethic she has, she has all the tools to be a national champion. She's better than she's ever been. Her style of wrestling is indicative of the OCU way."
Kristi Garr, a senior from Goodrich, Mich., picked up her second third-place finish at 109 with OCU. A three-time all-American, Garr took runner-up as a junior. She provides leadership for OCU.
"She's wrestling really well," Randall said. "She's experienced."
Stephanie Geltmacher, a senior from Kahaluui, Hawaii, has earned two of her three all-American nods while with the Stars. Geltmacher finished as 143-pound runner-up last season and has gone 55-18 with 12 pins as a Star.
"The national championship is her goal," Randall said of Geltmacher. "I don't see anybody getting near her. She's worked on her offense. She has a good shot to win it."
A weight-by-weight view of the Stars:

101

Brianna Rahall, a senior from Yorktown, Va., has taken fifth at 101 the past two years while training with Webster. She will vie to face Webster in the national final. Randall on Rahall: "She's looking really good and wrestling really well."
Stephanie Martinez, a freshman from El Paso, Texas, captured two state titles as a prep star.
"She's a quality athlete, but she's making the transition to college wrestling," Randall said. "She's really talented."

109

Cody Pfau may be the headliner in a plum recruiting class for OCU. Pfau, a freshman from Parachute, Colo., made the U.S. Junior World Team over the summer.
"The freshmen hate to lose," Randall said. "They just go. She's the real deal. As soon as she adjusts, she's going to be outstanding."
Haley Moreno, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, is another precocious freshman aiming to push for time at 109.
"She's pretty tough, too," Randall said. "She's going to be in the hunt, too."
Esthefania Jimenez, a junior from Lubbock, Texas, is a two-year veteran of competing for OCU. Randall said: "She's a wonderful kid."

116

Shelby Morrison, a sophomore from Amarillo, Texas, has earned the starting nod at 116 pounds. "She was one match away from becoming an all-American," Randall said.
Emily Ducote, a sophomore from San Jose, Calif., has been motivated to build on the freshman experience she gained. "She has improved tremendously," Randall said.
Rachel Archer, a freshman from Winlock, Wash., will be expected to push the upperclassmen at this weight. "She is giving Shelby all the competition she needs," Randall said.
Shilo Barrett, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, has been coachable. Randall: "She does everything we tell her to do."

130

Rachel McFarland, a sophomore from DeWitt, Mich., expects to be the top individual at this weight.
"She'll be the heads-up starter," Randall said. "She's matured a lot from last year. She's outstanding on her feet. She works hard."
Rachel Young, a sophomore from Whitehall, Ohio, has become "probably our most improved wrestler from last year," Randall said. "She's tough. She's wrestling Rachel hard."
Tanalei Louis, a freshman from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and Carla Ponce, a freshman from El Paso, Texas, both are "excellent athletes who are in the mix. They are adjusting to freestyle wrestling," Randall said.

136

Beatrize Martinez turned herself into an all-American last season and off the mat became OCU Student Government Association president. Martinez, a senior from Fresno, Calif., finished fourth at 136 in the national tournament.
Kayla Aggio, a sophomore from Rohnert Park, Calif., may not have the experience that Martinez has, but Aggio beat Martinez in the third-place match in the WCWA Championships. "All of them will beat up on each other," Randall said of the 136-pounders.
Natalia Hinojo, a freshman from El Paso, Texas, was a state champion in high school. "She is a talented, hard-working freshman," said Randall.

143

Yvonne Galindo, a freshman from El Paso, Texas, became a three-time state champion in high school. "She's a coach's daughter," Randall said. "She's going to be a competitor."
Heiley Garcia, a freshman from Carrollton, Texas, was an all-stater in Texas.

155

Demi Strub, a junior from Guilford, Ind., has built upon her skills as a two-time all-American. Strub has a 44-23 record plus 18 falls and two fourth-place national finishes as a Star. "Demi is physically one of the strongest on the team," Randall said. "She's technically sound. She can hit anything. She is working really hard."

170

Heather O'Connor became a national finalist last season. O'Connor, a junior from Napa, Calif., owns a 46-26 career record with 18 pins while becoming a two-time all-American. "She a shot to win it," Randall said.
Sherese Thomas exhibited outstanding strength in taking eighth at 191 pounds in the WCWA Championships last season. The sophomore from Grand Prairie, Texas, aims to build on that all-American performance.
"She is a phenomenal athlete," Randall said. "She's the strongest on the team. She's a sponge."

191

Tatiana Vazquez, a freshman from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., may get chances at 191 pounds. "She adds depth," Randall said.

King (Tenn.) has been rated as the top team in the WCWA in the first rankings of the season. However, that has yet to dampen spirits in the OCU wrestling room.
"We're contenders," Randall said. "At the end of the season, with our philosophy and with the improvements they will make, we have a shot to win it. We'll be in the hunt like we always are. They believe they'll be champions again. In wrestling, 90 percent of it is confidence."

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