Chun leads women’s wrestling to nationals

The Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association National Tournament was pined as successful for Pacific University’s women’s wrestling team.
Freshman wrestler Megan Chun had a come-from-behind victory in her final match and captured a seventh place finish to lead the women’s wrestling team in their first freestyle nationals in three years.
Chun’s performance led the Boxers to a tie for an eleventh place finish at the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association National Tournament, held on the campus of King College.
Chun joined teammate Jordyn Lee and Jodi Ozaki as Pacific’s winners in their first trip to the freestyle nationals since 2009.
The last two seasons, the Boxers had competed exclusively at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Women’s Nationals, which competes in collegiate style.
Chun advanced to the seventh place match despite having lost her first two matches. She lost in the quarterfinal round to King College’s Shannon Constantine in a first round pin. After dropping a close 2-0, 2-0 decision to Oklahoma City’s Brianna Rahall, she found herself against Lindenwood’s Jenny Garza in the seventh round match. After dropping the first round, Chun came back to take control and score a winning pin in the second round.
Lee won her second round consolation match at 109 pounds, scoring a 2-0, 6-1 decision over Shanelle Experanza of Lindenwood. She lost her first round match by fall to Nichole Yarrington of Jamestown before being ousted late in the first round of her consolation third round match to Missouri Valley’s Sonia Smith.
Ozaki, meanwhile, rebounded from a first round loss to Roni Goodale of Waldorf before scoring a first round pin over Camille Tinsman of Waldorf in 1 minute, 33 seconds. Ozaki was then ousted from the tourney by Lindenwood’s Rachel-Jea Factora in a second round pin.
Pacific’s other two competitors Andrina Ramos and Rustee-Ann Johansen went 0-2 and did not advance past the opening rounds.
Pacific tied with Missouri Baptist for eleventh place with two points in the 14-team tournament.
Oklahoma City won the team title with 23 points, placing four points better than second place King College.
With the freestyle nationals over, the Boxers will now use the next month to hone their collegiate-style abilities.
The Boxers will compete at the NWCA Women’s Division Nationals, which will take place on Mar. 8 through 10.