OCU upends Wayland Baptist 28-15

Watters' win in clash of top two ranked 170-pounders fuels Stars

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rachel Watters knocked off top-ranked Brittany Marshall to propel Oklahoma City University past Wayland Baptist (Texas) 28-15 on Friday night at Abe Lemons Arena.
Watters, a sophomore from Ankeny, Iowa, prevailed 10-7 in a battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 among Women's College Wrestling Association 170-pounders. The ninth-ranked Stars improved to 3-2 with the victory over fifth-ranked Wayland Baptist.
OCU closed the dual winning the last seven matches. Natalia Hinojo's 10-0 victory over Marina Briceño at 143 pounds gave the Stars a 16-14 edge in the dual.
"The girls have been working really hard," OCU coach Matt Stevens said. "The kids were really prepared today. Knocking off Briceño was a feat in and of itself."
Watters rallied from a first-period 6-4 deficit, taking over the lead 8-7 with a takedown in the second period. Watters remained unbeaten this season against college competition.
"I was hoping that matchup would happen earlier, but I was glad it happened in front of our home crowd," Stevens said.
Watters said, "I didn't go out there ready to go. I think it was a matter of not moving my feet, so I really need to work on that before the national tournament."
Briceño entered the dual ranked sixth at 143. Hinojo, a senior from El Paso, Texas, racked up five takedowns to secure the technical fall.
Gabriela Ramos-Diaz of Wayland Baptist notched a 10-0 win at 116 pounds over Kailyn Ramos to give Wayland Baptist a 12-1 advantage in the dual. Diaz is ranked second at her weight.
Monica Mendoza gave the Stars their first win of the night, winning 10-0 over Rebekah Cordova in the 123-pound match.
Yvonne Galindo, ranked sixth at 155, won 10-0 by rolling Skylar Brock to put her back on the mat four times. At 191 pounds, McKyla Kerr secured the outcome with a pin of Ja'Keai Capel in 1:38.
OCU will spend the next two weeks preparing for the WCWA Championships to be contested at Abe Lemons Arena on Feb. 9-10.
"McKyla bumped up to 191 and sealed the deal," Stevens said. "We are probably two steps behind where we want to be. We are going to get two weeks to get there. We are excited to have it here. We have a young group who is fiery."

OKLAHOMA CITY 28
WAYLAND BAPTIST 15
101: Asia Ray, WBU, by forfeit (WBU leads 5-0)
109: Rhonda Johnson, WBU, dec. Leiana Nacapuy, 10-6 (WBU leads 8-1)
116: Gabriela Ramos-Diaz, WBU, tech. fall Kailyn Ramos, 10-0 (WBU leads 12-1)
123: Monica Mendoza, OCU, tech. fall Rebekah Cordova, 10-0 (WBU leads 12-5)
130: Daniela Flores, OCU, dec. Leah Olguin, 8-3 (WBU leads 13-8)
136: Erin Redford, OCU, tech. fall Asia Igafo, 12-2 (WBU leads 14-12)
143: Natalia Hinojo, OCU, tech. fall Marina Briceño, 10-0 (OCU leads 16-14)
155: Yvonne Galindo, OCU, tech. fall Skylar Brock, 10-0 (OCU leads 20-14)
170: Rachel Watters, OCU, dec. Brittany Marshall, 10-7 (OCU leads 23-15)
191: McKyla Kerr, OCU, pinned Ja'Keai Capell, 1:38 (OCU wins 28-15)

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Daniela Flores: 130; 5' 3"; Junior

Natalia Hinojo: 130; 5' 1"; Senior

Kailyn Ramos: 116; 5' 0"; Sophomore

Rachel Watters: 155; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Erin Redford: 136; 5' 4"; Freshman

McKyla Kerr: 170; 5' 3"; Freshman

Monica Mendoza: 123; 5' 2"; Freshman

Leiana Nacapuy: 116; 5' 3"; Freshman

Yvonne Galindo: 155; 5' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Daniela Flores
: 5' 3"; Junior
: 130

Natalia Hinojo
: 5' 1"; Senior
: 130

Kailyn Ramos
: 5' 0"; Sophomore
: 116

Rachel Watters
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 155

Erin Redford
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: 136

McKyla Kerr
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: 170

Monica Mendoza
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: 123

Leiana Nacapuy
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: 116

Yvonne Galindo
: 5' 2"; Senior
: 155