The first U.S. women's college poll was conducted for December, 2008, with the traditional power the University of the Cumberlands claiming the No. 1 position.

The Patriots, under coach Kip Flanik, received all five of the first place votes to score 50 points in the first poll of the year. The new program at Oklahoma City Univ., coached by Archie Randall, came in second with 45 points.

The Missouri Valley College team, under coach Carl Murphree, was ranked third with 39 points. The USOEC program at Northern Michigan Univ., coached by Shannyn Gillespie, was fourth with 32 points. Holding down the No. 5 position is Menlo College, coached by Lee Allen.

Ten teams were ranked, and all other teams that received votes have been recognized. Five women's college wrestling coaches vote on the team rankings each month.

Click here for U.S. Women's College Poll for December 17

For the third straight month, an individual ranking has been released. The ranking includes full-time undergraduate college students who compete on women's college varsity teams, women's college wrestling clubs or are members of their men's college varsity programs. Also ranked are full-time undergraduate students who compete for with the USOEC program at Northern Michigan Univ.

Oklahoma City Univ. and the USOEC program at Northern Michigan Univ. both had three individuals ranked No. 1 in December. 

The  No. 1 ranked athletes from Oklahoma City Univ. are in the upper weight classes: Lacey Novinska at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., Carrie Clark at 82 kg/180.25 lbs. and Karon Scott at 95 kg/209 lbs.

Holding down No. 1 rankings from the Northern Michigan Univ. USOEC program are Alyssa Lampe at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Sadie Kaneda at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and Amy Borgnini at 55 kg/121 lbs. 

The Univ. of the Cumberlands has a pair of No. 1 athletes, Melissa Gerard at 44 kg/ 97 lbs. and Othella Lucas at 59 kg/130 lbs. 

Missouri Valley College also had a pair of No. 1 wrestlers, Emily Rinehart at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Amberlee Ebert at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. 

Nine of the 10 top-ranked athletes also held the No. 1 positions in November. The only new No. 1 athlete in this month's rankings is Amy Borgnini at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Click here for U.S. Women's College Individual Rankings for December 17

For more information on women's college wrestling, visit:
www.collegiatewomenswrestling.com