OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University sets out to wrestle for more honors in 2019-20.
Oklahoma City comes off a runner-up showing in the NAIA women's wrestling invitational. The Stars return six individuals who became all-Americans in the event.
The Stars feature three-time all-American and five-time World Team member Rachel Watters and Nkechinyere Nwanko, who became a national finalist last season. OCU competes in its first home dual of the season 7 p.m. Wednesday against Texas Wesleyan at Abe Lemons Arena. Watch the dual live here.
Nicole Tyson will make her home debut as Stars coach. She is the first alumna to take over as OCU women's wrestling head coach.
"Our team is really tough," Tyson said. "The quality and caliber of athletes that we have are amazing. Our girls who have been all-Americans are being great leaders. They bring that competitiveness in the room. It's been a really, really great room."
TOP RETURNERS
• Nwankwo became 191-pound runner-up in the NAIA Invitational. Nwankwo, a sophomore from Rosenberg, Texas, compiled a 16-7 record last season
• Watters took third at 170 in the NAIA Invitational. Watters, a senior from Ankeny, Iowa, had a 6-3 record as a junior
• Sydney Freund grabbed third place at 130 pounds in the NAIA Invitational. Freund, a junior from San Tan Valley, Ariz., finished with a 12-10 mark in 2018-19
• Destiny Lyng boasted of a third-place showing at 136 in the NAIA Invitational. Lyng, a sophomore from La Mesa, Calif., had a 22-10 record last season
• Raven Guidry picked up fourth at 109 pounds in the NAIA Invitational. Guidry, a junior from Lafayette, La., went 17-12 as a sophomore
• Cierra Foster broke through with a sixth-place finish at the NAIA Invitational. Foster, a sophomore from Post Falls, Idaho, went 3-3 last season
NEW FACES
• Mattison Parker comes to OCU after being a cadet folkstyle national champion, state champion and a two-time all-stater. Parker, a freshman from Haslet, Texas, competed for VR Eaton High School
• Irene Sanchez, a freshman from Madrid, Spain, took three silver medals in the Spain Nationals
MEET THE COACH
• During her coaching career, Tyson has helped guide teams to three national championships and three NWCA National Duals crowns. She has mentored 10 individual national champions and 55 all-Americans. Tyson guided Team USA in the Under-23 World Championships earlier this month in Budapest, Hungary
• Tyson, nee' Woody, picked up four all-American honors and an individual national champion for the Stars from 2007-11. Tyson contributed to three Women's College Wrestling Association team championships and four National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals titles as an OCU wrestler
• As a prep wrestler, Tyson became the first girl to be a high school state finalist in Maryland competing for Gambrills Arundel (Md.)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
• The Stars face Emmanuel (Ga.) at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 at Abe Lemons Arena. Preceding the Stars' dual, OCU alumnae Margaret Douma and Cassidy (Jasperson) McAlpin will bring their high school teams Broken Arrow and Little Axe to Abe Lemons Arena for a dual. Emmanuel is coached by OCU alumna Kristie Davis
• Oklahoma City takes on Wayland Baptist (Texas) at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at Abe Lemons Arena in OCU alumnae night/senior night
• The Stars competes in the NWCA National Duals on Jan. 10-11 in Louisville, Ky. OCU owns five NWCA National Duals championships
• OCU travels to Jamestown, N.D., for the NAIA Invitational on March 14
