Beginning the season as America’s finest women’s wrestling program is an honor for the ladies from University of the Cumberlands. Year after year, they are unanimously voted as the top team by coaches around the country. With an abundance of talent returning from last season and several incoming athletes with potential to be All-Americans, the Patriot ladies seek to maintain the title of being number one.

In the previous season, seven women’s wrestlers earned the status of All-Americans at Senior Nationals. They included: Jessica Medina (Pomona, CA), Kapua Torres (Williamsburg, KY), Shannon Reeves (Cuyahoga Falls, OH), Othella Lucas (San Diego, CA), Sandy Do (San Diego, CA), Nena Garcia (Clyde, OH), and Lauren Knight (Vallejo, CA). As if these awards weren’t enough, several athletes were awarded the grand title of Collegiate All-American in 2008. They included: Ashley Dehnz (Naples, FL), Jessica Medina, Priscilla Brownfield (Alexandria, KY), Melissa Girard (Norway, MI), Sandy Do, Breisja Macera (Kissimmee, Fl), Jessica Kelvas (Putnam Valley, NV)), Lauren Knight, Bethany Harris (Valley Center, CA), Sherolynn Eppinger (Warrensville, OH), Christen Paysse (Fullerton, CA), Teri Milkoff (Los Angeles, CA), and Theresa Fenell (Amarillo, TX).

In the upcoming season, the Patriots are scheduled to compete throughout the United States as well as Canada. With thirteen events on the schedule, the ladies look forward to a busy and challenging year. They will also have several opportunities to compete against international athletes. Many of the tournaments attended by Cumberlands are open to athletes of any experience level, nationality, and age. This competition provides the Patriot ladies with the experience required to retain a number one ranking.

Unfortunately, the Patriot Ladies lost a handful of valuable team members to graduation including: Jessica Medina (Pomona, CA), Sandy Do (San Diego, CA), Melissa Girard (Norway, MI), Tabetha Golt (Chesapeake, VA), Theresa Fennel (Amarillo, TX), and Othella Lucas (San Diego, CA).

While at UC, Jessica Medina had five 1st place finishes: at the McMaster Invitational (2005), College Nationals (2006 and 2008), Missouri Valley Showcase (2006), and the ASICS U.S. National Championships (2008). She earned the title of a Collegiate All-American closing out the 2007-08 season. She ended with a phenomenal individual season, claiming the national title in the 51 kg/112.25lbs weight class. In addition she was named as the Outstanding Wrestler for the Women's College National Tournament and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Sandy Do created her own success with two 1st place finishes at the Western Open (2007) and the College Nationals in 2008. There, she also earned the title of a Collegiate All-American. Her All-American Senior National Placement in 2007-08 was 6th in her weight class of 51kg.

Melissa Girard followed her teammates with three 1st place finishes from her career at the Body Bar (2005), McMaster Invitational (2005), and the College Nationals (2008).

Theresa Fenell compiled two first place finishes while at UC. She improved her third place finish at College Nationals in 2007 to a first place finish in 2008. She also took the top award of first place at the MVC Showcase in 2005.

Othella Lucas was certainly a wrestler not to be underestimated. Her achievements were nothing short of spectacular and she will be greatly missed by her teammates. Her first place finishes include the Brock Age Tournament (2003), the McMaster Open (2004), the MVC Showcase (2005), the Sunkist International Open (2005), the Missouri Valley Showcase (2006), the Western Open (2007), and the College Nationals (2006 & 07). Her All-American Senior National Placements in 2006-07 was 6th in her weight class and 2nd in 2007-08.

Tabetha Golt closes out the seniors that will be missed. With her accomplishments spanning four 1st place finishes at the MVC Showcase (2005), McMaster Invitational (2005), NYAC Holiday Championships (2005), and the Missouri Valley Showcase (2006). Her All-American Senior Nationals Placement in 2004-05 was 7th, and she improved that to 5th in 2005-06.

These losses will be great, but the 2008-2009 roster will feature the nation’s top returning team next season with the likes of a plethora of talented wrestlers. It’s difficult to imagine, but the squad is looking to improve and sustain their astounding 10-1 record in team duals and their 3 tournament championships from the previous season.

Head Coach Kip Flanik will look to key returners to perform well on the mat this season. Junior Jackie Stiles (Corpus Christi, TX), senior Sherolynn Eppinger ( Warrensville, OH), senior Ashley Dehnz ( Naples, FL), sophomore Christen Paysse ( Fullerton, CA), junior Lauren Knight ( Vallejo, CA), sophomore Breisja Gallo-Macera ( Kissimmee, FL), and sophomore Teri Milkoff ( Los Angeles, CA) are just a handful of the talented wrestlers that will be looked upon to perform well this season. Jackie Stiles, already ranked #1 by the Women’s College Wrestling Association (WCWA) on October 15, 2008, placed 1st at College Nationals in 2007. Sherolynn Eppinger had a 3rd place finish at College Nationals in 2007. Ashley Dehnz fought for a 3rd Place Finish in 2008. Christen Paysse, also ranked #1 by the WCWA, along with Lauren Knight, return with 2nd place finishes at College Nationals in 2008 under their belt. Breisja Macera and Teri Milkoff both hold #2 rankings in their respectable weight class divisions while Milkoff also placed 3rd last year at College Nationals.

New signees from around the country expected to add depth to the UC roster include freshmen: Gabrielle Henry (Columbus, OH), Kelly Kusumoto (San Jose, CA), Ashley Shannon (Odenton, MD), Lakia Henderson (Osceola, FL), Andrea Hughes (Sahuarita, AZ), and Lisa Martinez (Amarillo, TX).

Assisting Coach Flanik this year is UC graduate and 2004 Olympian Toccara Montgomery. Montgomery’s record is quite impressive and includes 4X National Champion, 3X Senior World Team Member, 2X Senior World Silver Medalist, 2X Junior World Silver Medalist, World Cup Champion, Pan American Champion, and not to mention, a 2004 U.S. Olympian.

Along with Montgomery, Coach Flanik will also have the assistance of two student assistant coaches and former UC wrestlers Krystal Kiyuna and Jessica Jauck.

It will be a tough road for the Cumberlands Patriots to make it four national titles in a row, as college women’s wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in collegiate athletics today. With the guidance of head coach Kip Flanik, the assistance of Toccara Montgomery, and another stellar recruiting class, the Patriot ladies will look toward another North American championship run this season.

The Patriot ladies open their season at the Calgary Open in Canada, on October 25, 2008.

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