As he prepares his team for this weekend’s Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association’s (WCWA) national championships, Simon Fraser University women’s wrestling coach Mike Jones is certain of just one thing.
He’s not really certain about anything.
“People always ask me for predictions,” said Jones, whose teams have produced 13 national titles between Canadian Interuniversity Sports, NAIA, and NCAA. “Really, though, it’s so hard to determine. The only time I’m going to be confident about the results is when I’m looking at them after it’s all over on Saturday night.”
A couple of injuries have thrown a wrench into the Clan’s plans for nationals, with Ciara McRae (ranked eighth in her 109-lb weight class) and Francesca Giorgio (No. 3 in 136-lb) suffering lower-body injuries within the last few weeks. Their status is in question for the competition in Oklahoma City.
Jones’ squad, ranked fifth in the WCWA rankings going into nationals, still features a plethora of championship-calibre talent.
At 143 lbs, junior Mallory Velte is not only the returning champion in her weight class, but also the top-ranked competitor heading into the tournament. Jones was clear of his expectations for the two-time All-American.
“We have confidence that Mallory can repeat,” said the coach. “It’s a talented class at the top, but she’s as solid a wrestler as there is in the competition.”
In the 116-lb division, junior Abby Lloyd sits second nationally, behind only U.S. Olympian and two-time national champion Haley Augello of King University. Jones has high hopes for Lloyd, who ended the regular season at 36-1.
“The thing about Abby is that she’s highly competitive,” said Jones. “I think she’s capable of winning the weight, and while there may be a few wrestlers in there that could impact that, she’s definitely the one to watch. I’m excited for her.”
Sophomore Dominique Parrish heads into nationals as the third-ranked wrestler in the 123-lb division after a 35-3 record in the regular season, and is one of only two non-seniors ranked in the top six for her weight class. Another two-time All-American and the Clan’s only senior, Jennifer Anderson, heads into the competition placed fifth in the 130-lb class.
In the 136-lb division, the Clan will have two viable national title contenders in Giorgio (15-1) and Burnaby’s Nicole Depa (27-1). With the reigning champion at 130-lb, Campbellsville’s Kayla Miracle, slated to move up to 136, Giorgio will enter the tournament ranked second. Depa, a sophomore, is ranked third.
After finishing third as a freshman and second last season at 191-pounds, junior Payten Smith will head into nationals as one of the top challengers for a title, ranked third in the WCWA.
In preparation for the nationals, SFU got dominating performances from Anderson, Lloyd, Parrish and Smith at the Cascades Classic two weeks ago.
“We’ve got some great individual talent,” said Jones. “Even with the injuries, I think we have as good a shot as any to make some noise. There are definitely going to be a lot of close matches though – a lot of talent in the field. This team has been exceeding my expectations all year, so I’d be thrilled if they can do it one more time.”
