Women's Wrestling

Date: 31.01.2010

Age: 221 days

MARSHALL, Mo. - The King College women's wrestling team managed to finish 10th in the program's first appearance at the 2010 Women's College Wrestling Association National Championships hosted by Missouri Valley College Saturday. At the end of the day, King had three All-Americans.

The event was the largest collection of college women wrestlers in history with over 150 wrestlers competing from 12 schools.

Anna Cummings (Marcellus, N.Y.) competed in the 48-kilogram division and she started the tournament off with two dominant wins over Jessica Ngyuen, from the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), 5-3 and 6-0. Then with a fall over Brittany Heatherly, from host Missouri Valley College, Cummings advanced.

Cummings lost to Oklahoma City University standout Nicole Woody, 6-0 and 6-0, in the semifinals. After that Cummings quickly bounced back with another fall over Ngyuen. She lost in the consolation finals to Jasmine Slinn, from University of Regina (Canada), to finish fourth.

"Anna had a great season and national tournament," King head coach Jason Moorman commented. "I will not be surprised to see her break through to the next level, and start competing in USAW events."

Shanna Young (Rocky Mount, Va.) faced a last second upset to Jamestown's Michelle Quiles, but was able to fight her way to All-American status. Young lost close decisions to No. 2-seed and Cumberlands' Christen Paysse along with Regina's Lisa McKibben.

"Shanna had a decent tournament, I think she had higher expectations." Moorman said. "Becoming an All-American in college is a great accomplishment, and I think she will take the experiences and get prepared for Universities in April."

Unseeded before the tournament started, Morgan Pittsford (Daleville, Ind.) made an impressive showing in the 3rd largest bracket. She lost a close decision in the first round to Cumberlands' Lisa Tinney 1-0, 0-1 and 1-0. Pittsford went on a tear in the consolations winning three straight including a huge upset over the No. 5 seed.  In the consolation semifinals, Pittsford went three periods with Amber Miracle, and lost another three period decision to Cumberlands' Brittany Gadd 3-4, 7-3 and 5-2. Pittsford ended up sixth earning her All-American status.

"Morgan wrestled great today, and all season," Moorman said upon completion. "I really enjoyed watching her grow all year, and gain confidence.  In every match she lost, she created opportunities to win, and that drive will get her where she wants in the future."

Other top performers for King were Angel Brewer (Pelzer, S.C.) who finished seventh in the 95 kilogram class with Shelihah Gray (Kissimmee, Fla) eighth in the same class. Alana Jimenez (Katy, Texas) had a similar eighth-place performance in the 82 kilogram flight.

Angelina Miranda (Kissimmee, Fla.) did not place, however went 2-2 in the largest weigh class at the event.  Miranda lost a decision to the No. 2 seed Tiffany Sluik, from the Jamestown (N.D.) University, but she dominated her next two opponents which included a pin over Odeatha Marshall Lindenwood (Mo.) University. Miranda lost to Oklahoma City's Kirsten Strickler.

"Angelina is one of the most improved on the team," Moorman commented. "She is so willing to learn, and work hard, don't be surprised to see her All-American next year."

"Overall I am pleased with our outcome this weekend.  We were a brand new team, and only had 10 in the tournament while others had up to almost 30," Moorman said after the event. "If you could see where we were in August, and where these ladies finished here in Missouri, it is quite amazing.  I couldn't be prouder, and look forward to the USAW events this spring."

Oklahoma City won another team title.

The women's wrestling team will take a two week break, before their training for the University Nationals held in Akron, Ohio on April 8-9.