Women’s NWCA National Duals Preview

NWCA Cliff Keen Multi-Divisional National Duals

Jan. 12-13 • Prairie Capital Convention Center • Springfield, Ill.

Women’s Tournament

Women’s NWCA National Duals Bracket

The following is a closer look at first-round match-ups, including potential head-to-head meetings of ranked wrestlers. This tournament is being held just a couple weeks before the Women’s College Wrestling Association Championships, which will held in Bristol, Tenn., on Jan. 26. Women’s wrestling is freestyle, with many of its participants also focusing on competing at the U.S. Open in May and the World Team Trials in June.

In last year’s Women’s National Duals, Oklahoma City defeated King College, 25-14, for a fifth consecutive year.

First-Round Match-ups on Jan. 12:

7 p.m. Matches

No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 Waldorf

The Stars of OKC were 15-2 this season (with both setbacks coming against the Canadian school Simon Fraser at the Harry Giese Duals in Ontario Canada in November) also won a fourth straight WCWA national championship last year and return two individual champs for 2012: sophomore Emily Webster at 101 pounds, senior Joey Miller (116).

Waldorf, which is located in Forest City, Iowa, has only had a varsity program since 2010. The Warriors top wrestler is 109-pound sophomore Jessica Fresh, who qualified for last year’s Olympic Trials and was rated No. 6 in the WCWA preseason rankings.

No. 4 Lindenwood vs. No. 5 Missouri Valley

The Lions of St. Charles, Mo., were 7-3 before the holidays and split in two meetings with Missouri Valley this year.

Senior Shauna Isbell, ranked No. 1 at 130 pounds, leads Lindenwood. MVC’s highest-rated wrestler is 136-pound senior Danielle Curtis, ranked No. 3.

8 p.m. Matches

No. 3 Simon Fraser vs. No. 6 Cumberlands

The Canadian school from British Columbia features three top-ranked wrestlers: junior Victoria Anthony (109), senior Danielle Lappage (143) and junior Justina Distassio (170). The Tennessee school meanwhile features one ranked woman, ranked No. 1: 155-pound senior Sydney Nelson.

No. 2 King vs. No. 7 Wayland Baptist

King, which will host this year’s national championship at the end of the month, are led by 123-pound sophomore Sara Hildebrandt and 136-pound sophomore Krista Revelle, both rated No. 1 in the preseason poll.

The Texas school, in just its third year as a varsity sport, stood 6-6 on the season after losing to Oklahoma City on Dec. 6. The Pioneers also lost to King in October, but sophomore Tamyrah Mensah upset Revelle, 1-0, 7-0.