OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University gets back onto the mat with two returning all-Americans and six all-conference women's wrestlers from the previous season.
The Stars' Destiny Lyng has come back to defend her national championship, while Sophia Smith became an all-American as a freshman. Oklahoma City opens 2022-23 with duals against Jarvis Christian (Texas) and Schreiner (Texas) starting 11 a.m. Sunday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Last season, Lyng took the 143-pound individual championship as Oklahoma City posted an 18th-place finish in the NAIA Invitational on March 11-12 in Jamestown, N.D. OCU captured national championships in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 as well as NWCA National Duals titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
TOP RETURNERS
• Lyng, a senior from La Mesa, Calif., seized the national championship by scoring the final five points against Emma Walker of Campbellsville (Ky.) in a 5-5 verdict. In the semifinal, Lyng pinned her opponent despite facing a 4-0 deficit. Lyng earned her fifth all-American honor and the Sooner Athletic Conference individual 143-pound title while becoming the conference wrestler of the year. Lyng went 27-2 last season to bring her career mark to 73-23
• Smith, a junior from Janesville, Wis., took runner-up at 123 pounds in the SAC Championships. She posted an eighth-place finish at 130 in the NAIA Invitational as a freshman. Smith went 1-4 the previous season and has a 5-9 career record
• Angelina Adams at 170 and Ryann Rumsey at 191 each finished second place in the conference meet. Irene Sanchez snagged third place at 155, and Adriana Orozco picked up fourth at 136. Orozco, a senior from Gilroy, Calif., grabbed SAC newcomer of the year last season
NEW FACES
• Avery Ashley, a freshman from Lucas, Texas, captured two state championships and became a two-time placer at the state tournament for Lucas Lovejoy (Texas)
• Marissa Jimenez, a freshman from Caldwell, Idaho, posted an undefeated record with the 138-pound state championship as a senior. Jimenez won a gold medal in the Pan American World Championships
PRESEASON BUZZ
• The Stars hold the 16th spot in the preseason NAIA rankings
• OCU placed seven individuals among the national individual rankings led by Lyng, who owns the top spot in the 143-pound ratings. Other Stars listed in the rankings are Smith (sixth at 123), Adams (12th at 155), Ashley (12th at 116), Rumsey (14th at 170), Orozco (16th at 136) and Sanchez (16th at 155)
MEET THE COACH
• Nicole Tyson has guided three individual national champions, 12 all-Americans, six conference champions, two Sooner Athletic Conference wrestler of the year award winners, SAC Championships outstanding wrestler and 25 all-conference wrestlers in three years as OCU coach
• Tyson, nee' Woody, picked up four all-American honors and an individual national champion for the Stars from 2007-11. Tyson contributed to three WCWA team championships and four National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals titles as an OCU wrestler. She is the first alumna to take over the program as head coach
• During her coaching career, Tyson has helped guide teams to three national championships and three NWCA National Duals crowns. She has mentored 13 individual national champions and 67 all-Americans
• 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
• OCU has home duals Wednesday vs. Texas Wesleyan and Jan. 17 against Wayland Baptist (Texas) and hosts the Oklahoma City Open on Jan. 28
• The Stars accepted an invitation to the NWCA National Duals on Jan. 6-7 in Louisville, Ky.
• The SAC Championships will be Feb. 25 at the Sid Richardson Center in Fort Worth, Texas, while the NAIA Championships happen March 10-11 in Jamestown, N.D. The upcoming NAIA Championships will be the first fully sponsored by the NAIA as a championship event
