At the start of the 2007-2008 campaign, The University of the Cumberlands Women’s Wrestling team was voted in unanimously as the top team in the nation. Once again Coach Kip Flanik’s squad preformed and finished like the nation’s best. The Patriots captured their third straight Women’s College National Title in the Women’s College Wrestling Association Freestyle National Championships. They did so by edging out host Oklahoma City University in the final round of matches with an overall team score of 118 to 117. The Patriots showed their dominate prowess throughout the season.  They posted an astounding 10-1 record in team duals and cruised through a trio of tournaments for 3 championships.

The Patriot lady wrestlers concluded the season with seven Collegiate All-Americans, eight top finishers at the FILA Senior National Tournament, six wrestlers placing in the ASICS U.S. National Championships, and three qualifiers to compete for a spot at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials held on June 13-15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Earning the status of Collegiate All-American were 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).

Several Patriot wrestlers had phenomenal seasons. Senior Jessica Medina had perhaps the best 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.

For complete season results visit www.ucumberlands.edu/athletics/wrestling/womens/.

Next season, the Patriots will have to replace several key wrestlers due to graduation.  Several key losses are Jessica Medina, Sandy Do, Melissa Girard (Norway, MI), and Tabetha Golt (Chesapeake, VA). However, the 2008-2009 squad will feature the nation’s top returning team next season with the likes of a plethora of talented wrestlers: Megan Agajanian (Moorpark, CA), Priscilla Brownfield (Alexandria, KY), Ashley Dehnz (Naples, FL), Sherolynn Eppinger (Warrensville, OH), Theresa Fennell (Amarillo, TX), Nena Garcia, Antonesia Giles (Chino, CA), Jessica Kelvas (Putnam Valley, NV), Krystal Kiyuna (Aiea, HI), Lauren Knight, Breisja Gallo-Marcera (Kissimmee, FL), Teri Milkoff (Los Angeles, CA), Christen Paysse (Fullerton, CA), Shannon Reeves, Norma Rueda (San Antonio TX), Jackie Stiles (Corpus Christi, TX), and Raquel Woodruff (Austin, TX).

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 2004 U.S. Olympian Toccara Montgomery, and another stellar recruiting class, the Patriot ladies will look toward another North American championship run next season. The 2008-2009 campaign will begin in late October.

[2007-08 Wrap-Up] [2006-07 Wrap Up] [2005-06 Wrap Up]