The women’s wrestling team took home two national championships at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s Women’s Nationals which took place March 8 through 10 in Daytona, Fla. Freshman Jordyn Lee and sophomore Andrina Ramos both placed first in the light weight classes.
This tournament was different than those that the Boxers were used to in that it used the folkstyle wrestling style, which is what the women did in high school, rather than what the women had been competing in all year at the collegiate level, freestyle.
“We did really well regardless and made a statement at this tournament,” said Lee.
Lee took her title in the 105 pound weight-class and Ramos earned her championship at the 112 weight class.
“It felt good to win because I’ve never won anything that big before,” said Lee. “But it was bittersweet because it was against a teammate.”
Lee wrestled against fellow teammate freshman Megan Chun, winning with a 1-minute, 42-second pin.
Chun then went on to win her preliminary round match against New Hampshire University.
Both her and freshman Rustee-Ann Johansen earned runner-up placements to earn All-American distinction.
Sophomore Jodi Ozaki also placed, finishing fourth in the 121-pound weight class.
Ramos expressed similar sentiments with Lee about her win.
“I felt disbelief at first but I knew I worked hard and that I was going to do whatever it took to win,” said Ramos.
She won two of three matches by pin en route to the national title. She beat a wrestler from Central Washington University and another from North Florida University.
Both Lee and Ramos attributed the team’s success to hard work and practice.
“We had practices five days a week with morning practices two days a week,” said Ramos. “We were happy with the results but I knew before the tournament we would do well.”
Ramos said the Boxers really wanted to take home the team title but because of the team’s smaller number they weren’t able to score as many points.
“We didn’t have the numbers but we did better overall,” said Ramos. “We pulled off a lot of upsets.”
The women’s wrestling team finished as the runner-up trailing behind Southwestern Oregon Community College at the tournament.
This year is the first year in the history of wrestling at Pacific that head coach of both men’s and women’s wrestling Severin Walsh got to take home a national trophy.
“He was really happy about it,” said Lee. “He held the plaque all the way home.”
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