WOMEN’S COLLEGE PREVIEW
King favored to repeat as WCWA women’s champs
By Gary Abbott Reigning national champion King University is favored to repeat in the team race at the 2015 WCWA Women’s College Nationals, which is set for Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis on Feb. 12-13. King brings back three WCWA national champions, sophomore Haley Augello (116), senior Sarah Hildebrandt (123) and senior Julia Salata (155). All three are nationally ranked on the Senior level with- in USA Wrestling. Augello was a Cadet World champion while in high school. But it could be the rest of Coach Jason Moorman’s lineup that makes the differ- ence. Three WCWA runners-up from last year should score big team points, Amanda Hendey (143), Malexis McAdoo (191) and Campbellsville transfer Breonnah Neal (109). Another transfer should help, Forest Molinari (143), who placed fourth last year for Missouri Baptist. The Tornados may need help from their deep recruiting class, including past Junior National champions Marina and Regina Doi (101) and Rachel Hale (130). Last year’s runner-up, Oklahoma City,
comes in with a No. 2 ranking in the pre- season, led by three-time WCWA national champion Emily Webster (101). She will attempt to become only the third four-time WCWA national champion, joining Simon Fraser greats Victoria Anthony and Helen Maroulis who graduated last year. Another top star is WCWA national run-
ner-up Kayla Aggio, who is projected at 143, and was a Junior World Team mem- ber last summer. Cody Pfau, who was fourth at 116 last year, is expected to drop to 109, where she gets the presea- son No. 1. Pfau made two straight U.S. Junior World Teams. Brieana Delgado, fourth last year at 123, is a top challenger at 130 this year. Upper weights Sherese Thomas (170)
and Heather O’Connor (191) were also fourth last year, and could add key team points if they reach the finals. Archie Randall’s Stars teams, which won four WCWA titles from 2009-12, has always
26 USA Wrestler
Senior Sarah Hildebrandt, a 2014 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up, is one of three returning league champions for King University. Larry Slater photo.
had tremendous depth, and this year should be no exception. Lindenwood, coached by 2004 Olympian Toccara Montgomery, is seek- ing its first WCWA team title. WCWA run- ner-up Victoria Francis (170), who won a Junior World bronze medal over the sum- mer for Team USA, is top ranked coming into the year. Other team leaders include Diaysha Moore (123), who was third last year and Rachel Factora (130), who was seventh last year. Looking to make a big jump this year is second-year Campbellsville, under coach Lee Miracle. The Tigers were sixth last year at the nationals. Rosemary Flores (130) and Tiara Scott (191) were third last year as a freshmen. Hanna Hall (143) placed fourth and Michelle Organ (155) was eighth. In early season duals, Organ wrestled at 143 and Hall at 155. What could boost the team is a strong recruit- ing class, led by Junior World bronze medalist Kayla Miracle (130). Wayland Baptist is coming off its best
season yet, placing fifth with its first indi- vidual WCWA national champion Tamyra Mensah (143). The Mensah sisters are back, with Tamyra looking to repeat, and
sister Tarkiya (123) looking to beat her sixth place at last year’s nationals. Vanessa Smith (101) was third last year. Other All-Americans of note are Valerie Rosales (155) and Kierra Boyce (191), both who were sixth in 2014. Simon Fraser, the 2013 WCWA cham-
pions, lost four national champions to graduation. The Clan brings back WCWA runner-up Darby Huckle (101) and third- place finisher Nikkie Brar (116). “Canada’s NCAA team” scored an early
season 31-14 win over Wayland Baptist, with Americans Jen Anderson (130) and Francesca Giorgio (143) in the starting lineup.
Others to watch are University World
silver medalist Amy Fearnside of Jamestown (116), Cady Chessin of Menlo (123) and Taylor Zboray of Midland (109). Don’t be surprised to see some freshmen making an impact. This should be the most competitive
WCWA Nationals because of the growth of the sport. Over 20 teams are expected at nationals, with new programs Eastern Michigan, Life (Ga.), Lyon (Ark.), Ottawa (Kan.) and Warner Pacific (Ore.) making their first appearance.
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