There are not many college athletic teams that can call themselves national dual meet champions in their first season of competition.

Thanks to a victory over top-ranked University of the Cumberlands at the NWCA/Cliff Keen Women's National Duals, the women's wrestling team from Oklahoma City can say exactly that.

The Oklahoma City University women's wrestling program started this fall, but with a few experienced wrestlers and an energetic and motivated coach the squad was ready to take the national scene by storm. The 22-18 victory over No. 1 Cumberlands also helped No. 2 Oklahoma City University (OCU) avenge a home dual meet loss to Cumberlands on November 10 and earn a share of the spotlight.

"We had lost to Cumberlands earlier in the season," OCU Head Coach Archie Randall said. "We adjusted the line up, we studied film, and we adjusted some techniques where we needed to. Overall it worked well."

The Star's were led by junior Ashley Sword, who was named Outstanding Wrestler for the women's national duals. Sword finished the tournament with a 3-0 record at 67 kg with victories over Nena Garcia from Cumberlands (7-0, 5-1), Amberlee Ebert of Missouri Valley (2-0, 3-0), and Ashlee Evans-Smith of Menlo (4-0, 2-0).

"To be named Outstanding Wrestler and to show that I am one of the more experienced wrestlers was really exciting," junior Ashley Sword said. "I told my practice partners and the coaches that they are the reason I was able to get this award.  We joke that they got the assist on the Outstanding Wrestler award, because you are only as strong as your training partner."

Five other women posted wins for OCU in the championship duals against Cumberlands. Freshman Nicole Woody defeated Melissa Girard at 44 kg (0-7, 2-1, 5-1), at 55 kg freshman Ashley Hudson upset No. 1 Sandy Do (4-0, 4-0), freshman Samantha Phillips came back to beat Beisja Macera at 59 kg (0-5, 2-1, 1-2), freshman Briana Conway battled Lauren Knight at 63 kg (2-0, 2-4, 1-1), and at 82 kg junior Lacey Novinska pinned Christen Paysse (2-3, 3:27).

To get to the finals the Stars beat No. 3 Missouri Valley (34-5) in the semifinals, and No. 5 Menlo College (34-4) in the first round of action.

Women's wrestling is a relatively new addition to the wrestling world, having only been added to the Olympics in 2004.  Women's intercollegiate wrestling programs have been around since the mid 1990s, but the sport receives much less exposure than its male counterpart.  Having the women's and men's dual championships together provided a great opportunity to showcase women's wrestling.

"They were in front of that whole crowd," said Coach Randall. "What an exciting deal for them.  I hope the NWCA continues to allow us to wrestle there.  It was great for women's wrestling."

Competing alongside the men, the women's teams had a chance to wrestle in from of 8,000 fans at the womens' national duals, providing an exciting opportunity for all the women taking part in the event.

"The team fed off the crowd and we really wanted to step up our game," said Sword. "We wanted to show off not only women's wrestling, but the program here at OCU and what we are all about."

Coming into the women's national duals, OCU Head Coach Archie Randall, who also coaches the men's wrestling team, knew there was an opportunity for the Stars.

"We went into this weekend with the goal of winning," said Coach Randall. "I think you should never go into an athletic competition with any other goal than winning it all."  

Before coming to OCU to coach the men and women's wrestling programs, Randall earned the title of Oklahoma's winningest high school coach and led El Reno to 11 consecutive team tournament championships and 12 dual state championships in a row. Randall compiled a 232-16 record in duals during his 13 year's at El Reno.  He also serves as USA Wrestling's state chairperson in Oklahoma.

"I have always coached the same way, in high school, in the men's program, and now in the women's program," said Coach Randall.

His 26 years of wrestling coaching experience has helped Randall quickly build a successful program at OCU, not only for the women but also for the men.

"We treat them just like the guy's team," said Coach Randall. "They have the same practice schedule, the same coaching, the same lifting schedule, and they are trained in the same techniques. We felt like they would flourish and they have. Look at the improvement they have shown in the past couple months, since the start of the year."

Randall has looked to the experience of Sword to lead the Stars on and off the mat throughout the season.

"We are a very, very young team," said Coach Randall. "The majority of the team are freshmen.  They actually call her Mama Sword.  She is the oldest wrestler, 24 when most of the women are 19 or 20.  She has been at the USOTC, and she has kind of grown up and made her mistakes as a young lady.  She has helped eliminate some of the mistakes and really looks out for the other wrestlers. Her leadership has been instrumental in our formation as a team."

A team leader for the OCU, Sword is no newcomer to sport of wrestling.  She has competed and trained for years at the national and international level, including as a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"Training at the Olympic Training Center was a great experience and I am so glad that I was able to spend that time there, but sometimes you need a change," said Sword. "And this is definitely a positive change for me."

Sword was the 2005 and 2007 University National Champion.  Placing third at the 2005 world team trials qualified Sword for the U.S women's team.

"The biggest way that my experience has helped me is dealing with adversity on trip," said Sword. "When you travel, things go wrong and you are not always ready to wrestle, but you have to get yourself ready to go. I feel like I am able to keep calm more going into things and really stay focused."

With the win at NWCA Women's National Duals behind them, the OCU women's wrestling team looks ahead to the remainder of the season.

"One of our major goals is to win the women's college nationals," said Sword. "We are hosting it in March and it is on our home turf. We want to show they we are not only the top dual team, but the top team overall."

When the Women's College Wrestling Championships takes place at Oklahoma City University on March 15, OCU will be ready to prove once again that they can wrestle with any program in the country.