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OCU signs women's wrestling recruits

5/03/2007

Lene Wood went unbeaten her last two years of high school.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University has signed several recruits to its first-year women’s wrestling team.
OCU recently announced the addition of a women’s wrestling program in February. The Stars will begin competition in 2007-08.
Among the new Stars is Carrie Clark of Cedar Park, Texas, a two-time state champion, four-time all-American. She finished runner-up at her weight twice at the USGWA national tournament.
Clark has a career record of 100-6 wrestling for Vista Ridge High School.
“I thought OCU was an amazing fit for my academic goals,” Clark said. “I also have the opportunity to help build a program.”
OCU coach Archie Randall said she is expected to wrestle in the upper weight classes.
“With an outstanding upper weight like her, we will add an opportunity to finish strong in duals and tournaments,” Randall said.
Crystal Grajeda of Arlington, Texas, is a three-time state placer competing for Arlington High School. She was first-team all-area as a junior and senior.
“I wanted to continue my wrestling career,” Grajeda said.
Grajeda will compete at 97.8 pounds for the Stars.
“In the sport of wrestling it is always difficult to find athletes at the smallest weight,” Randall said. “She will be one of the contenders at 97.8.”
Jennifer Lane from Mineral, Va., placed three times at the USGWA national tournament. She attended Louisa County High School.
“I picked OCU for the great academics and the wrestling program,” Lane said.
Lane is expected to be a 147-pounder.
“She will be an asset in the room with the possibility of making the varsity lineup,” Randall said.
Jennifer Peabody of Defiance, Ohio, became an all-American by finishing sixth at the USGWA national tournament. She has 77 wins in her high-school career at Ayersville High School.
Peabody will wrestle twice for Team Ohio at the Junior National Duals.
“She is a fiery, young, aggressive wrestler who will make an immediate impact as a Star,” Randall said.
Marina Piccolotti of Pacifica, Calif., won her state championship as a senior. She went 111-20 in her career at Terra Nova High School. She was a two-time all-American.
Randall anticipates Piccolotti becoming an all-American on the college level.
“She is a pinner,” Randall said. “She has the ability to come behind and throw you on your back. She is one of our picks to become an all-American in her first year.”
Helen Timmons from Austin, Texas, is a three-time all-American. She posted a 115-22 career record wrestling for Lanier High School. “I picked OCU for the education and to develop the work ethic to become a true champion,” Timmons said.
Randall said Timmons is known for her tenacity.
“She is a never-give-up individual who will not stop,” Randall said.
Sarah Rhame of Amarillo, Texas, had a career record of 43-20. She was most outstanding wrestler and most improved on her team.
“I picked OCU for the comfortable environment and the excellent opportunities,” Rhame said.
Randall said, “She was injured before regionals last year, but we feel she is ready to continue her career.”
Erica Torres of El Cajon, Calif., is a two-time state champion and earned all-state, all-region and all-America honors. She won the 126-pound USGWA state championship as a senior and the 122-pound state title as a junior.
Torres is expected to be either a 121-pounder or a 129-pounder.
“She coming off a tournament where she was a national champion,” Randall said. “She will make her weight class interesting to watch.”
Torres posted a career record of 46-16.
“OCU was my most convenient choice and has really interesting classes,” Torres said.
Ashley Underwood of Amarillo, Texas, finished in second place at the state tournament and earned most outstanding lightweight wrestler competing for River Road High School.
“I liked the small teacher-student ratio and the good education program,” Underwood said.
Randall said Underwood has a knack for the fall.
“She is a nonstop wrestler who wants to end it quick,” Randall said.
Lene Wood of Frisco, Texas, went unbeaten her final two seasons of wrestling. She went 89-5 in her high school career at Centennial High School.
Wood also earned freestyle all-American in as a junior and sophomore, winning her weight at the Junior National Duals. She is projected as a 102-105-pounder with OCU.
“I wanted to get into a good college wrestling program and get a shot at the 2012 Olympics,” Wood said.
Randall said she is expected to be a leader on the team.
“She has had great coaching and is great on her feet,” Randall said. “We feel she is the leader at 97.8 because of her ability to take you down.”
OCU is one of seven U.S. universities to field a women’s wrestling program.