Nicole Woody
(Sun photo by Christopher T. Assaf)
Mar 3, 2007
News Page
Woody signs to wrestle at Okla. City University
Former Arundel athlete to join newly created women's program
By Lem Satterfield
Sun Reporter
Originally published July 3, 2007, 11:25 AM EDT
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Nicole Woody |
Former Arundel wrestler Nicole Woody, 19, who in March became the first female to reach the 4A-3A state finals at 103 pounds and who was America's lone male or female junior world champion in Guatemala last August, has signed to wrestle at Oklahoma City (Okla.) University.
Woody, who made her decision Monday, will join a women's program that is just getting started. The Stars' first dual meet will be against Cumberland College of Kentucky on Oct. 13.
A 2008 U.S. Olympic hopeful, Woody was recently named to The Mat.com/Asics Girls High School All-American Team for the second straight year. Her presence on the squad, along with junior Helen Maroulis of Magruder High in Rockville, tied Maryland with California with two representatives on the squad.
Competing against 98-pound boys for Maryland's national team, Woody went 6-1 at last weekend's USA Junior National Dual Championships at Oklahoma City University and will compete in the women's and men's divisions at 102 and 98 pounds, respectively, in the USA Junior National Championship July 20-26 in Fargo, N.D. If Woody wins, she will become the nation's first female to win four national titles.
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New OCU Wrestling Program Shows Sport Not Just For Men
POSTED: 5:01 pm CDT July 3, 2007
UPDATED: 6:41 pm CDT July 3, 2007
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OKLAHOMA CITY -- When you think of big-time college sports, women's wrestling is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.
However, Oklahoma City University is starting a varsity program this fall, complete with scholarships and a head coach it shares with the men's team.
Archie Randall at OCU has been coaching men's wrestling for years. However, a few months ago, he was also named the head coach of the newly formed women's team. While it's the same sport, it couldn't be any more different.
Randall recently hosted a camp for the school's newest varsity sport, and 25 of the city's newest Stars showed up. The first thing he noticed, he said, was how different they were from the guys.
"They're easier to coach. They want to be successful. They'll do just about anything you tell them to do. They like to learn. They're like sponges," he said.
Most of these wrestlers have come from men's programs, so when they just have to face other women on the mats, they said, it's a welcome change.
"It's kind of neat because there is not a lot of girls' camps out there," said Emma Mercer. "So, when you can get a bunch of girls together and figure out each other's styles, it's really cool."
OCU starts its first varsity season this fall, and while it might take a little while for the community to support the program fully, the newest Stars don't plan to ease into their first season of competition.
Their first meet ever is scheduled for Oct. 13 against defending national champion Cumberland College.
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Greetings Wrestling Fans!
I am very happy to announce that the University of Wisconsin - River Falls will have a women's wrestling team beginning in the Fall of 2007. River Falls is located in Northwest Wisconsin and is less than 30 minutes from St.Paul/Minneapolis. Please take a moment to view our website, www.uwrfwomenswrestling.com.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (715) 441-2980 or kevin@victoryschoolofwrestling.com
In Wrestling,
Kevin Black
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