Despite the loss of key athlete Toccara Montgomery ( Cleveland, OH) for most of the season due to injury, the Patriot ladies were still able to place seven ladies at the FILA Senior National Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. Returning All-Americans Jessica Medina ( Pomona, CA), Alaina Berube ( Escanaba, MI), Heather Martin ( Wellington, OH), Shelly Ruberg ( Harrison, OH) and Tabetha Golt ( Chesapeake, VA) along with Othella Lucas ( San Diego, CA) and Krisha Childress ( Goddard, KS) led the way for the Patriots throughout the season.

Top placement at the FILA National Tournament allows the ladies to compete at the World Team Trials on June 30, 2006. This tournament determines who will represent the United States in the World Championships on Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2006 in Guangzhou, China.

The ladies traveled throughout the United States and Canada seeking challenging opponents. Often, Cumberlands took multiple teams to tournaments and returned with medals for each team. Though this may not have always been the case, wrestlers were afforded several opportunities to travel and compete with the team. During the past year, UC has completed in Ontario, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, and New York.

This year, Cumberlands hosted the first annual College Duals in Williamsburg, KY. Although a majority of the collegiate women’s wrestling programs offered in the United States were present at the tournament, a few were unable to attend. Hopefully, this tournament will continue to grow and become an annual tournament for women wrestlers.

Losing only two seniors to graduation and gaining several talented incoming athletes will allow the team to continue to grow and strive for excellence in the upcoming 2006-2007 season.

2005 Wrap Up