Every season, the goal for the Women’s Wrestling team at the University of the Cumberlands is to capture a Women’s College National Title.  For some schools, it’s a dream, but for the Patriot ladies, it’s an obtainable goal every year.  This season the Cumberlands went in search of the 4th straight team National Championship, but came up just a bit short, garnering a second place finish at the College Nationals.

The 2008-2009 season saw the Patriot Ladies compete in numerous duals and tournaments throughout the United States and Canada.  Along with capturing second at the College Nationals, they also notched a 14-2 dual record, while winning the Toronto Open (Toronto, Canada) and the Harry Geris Open (Williamsburg, KY), and finishing second in the Calgary Open (Calgary, Canada).  Flanik acknowledges that winning the inaugural Harry Geris open was a big accomplishment for this year’s squad.  The Harry Geris Open featured the majority of North America’s top women’s college wrestling programs and wrestlers.

“This is potentially the best team that I have ever had.  We were very young, in varsity competition,” noted Head Coach Kip Flanik.  “We had freshman that started six out of the ten weight classes.  We matured quickly and dominated the other college programs in our last three tournaments.”

A plethora of underclassmen stepped up and helped pave the successful road for the Cumberlands. Junior Lauren Knight (Vallejo, CA) and Sophomore Christen Paysse (Fullerton, CA) earned spots on the University World Team.  Junior Jackie Stiles (Corpus Christi, TX) continued to add to her illustrious career at UC, placing at or near the top of numerous tournaments/opens.  Freshman Ashley Shannon (Odenton, MD) captured the College National Championship in the 44kg and was also a Junior Pan-Am qualifier.  Freshman Lakia Henderson (Osceola, FL) was a College National Champion in the heavyweight division.  Freshman Gabrielle Henry (Columbus, OH) was a University World Team qualifier and a Junior Pan-Am qualifier.  Freshman Kendra Lewis (Houston, TX) was a University World Team qualifier.  Freshman Lauren Louive (Massilon, OH) achieved All-American status.  Freshman Jessica Scott (Arlington, TX) finished 4th at College Nationals.

Coach Flanik notes a key loss as being Shannon Reeves (Cuyahoga Falls, OH).  He says that the way that the team grew together and how they wrestled at the University World Team trials, Senior Nationals, Body Bar and World team trials was due to the leadership of Reeves. “She was a team captain and a leader on and off the mat, not to mention being a 4.0 student.  She was very unselfish, as she was willing to wrestle any weight the team needed her at.”

As the Patriot ladies set their sites on a National Championship in 2010, they will see a talent heavy roster.  “We should have a very strong team led by senior captains, Jackie Stiles and Nena Garcia.  Not to mention, that extremely talented freshman group will be a year older.  Christen Paysse and Lauren Knight will help add to a great team,” states Flanik.