CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University women's wrestling opened its 2014-15 season Friday with a close loss, 25-22, to second-ranked Oklahoma City University at the University of the Cumberlands Patriot Duals. Campbellsville enters the season ranked No. 4 in the Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA).

The Lady Tigers, which competed in Pool B during Friday's pool play, will be one of eight varsity teams competing in the double elimination bracket Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. CU also wrestled B teams from Cumberlands and Lindenwood University on Friday.

Campbellsville's No. 4 ranking is two spots higher than CU's final ranking at the end of its inaugural WCWA season last January. It's also one step closer to where head coach Lee Miracle sees his second-year team on the national scale.

"I am not displeased with the number four preseason ranking but, I will not be pleased placing fourth in the country this year," Coach Miracle said. "We are very capable of being a top three team, if we continue to improve throughout this season like we did last season. God willing, we will stay healthy and peak at the right time. If that happens, we could be a top two team."

CU returns four WCWA All-Americans and enters the year with six returners nationally ranked, including the No. 1 wrestler at 130 pounds, Rosemary Flores, who finished third in the WCWA last year. Flores is joined in the 130-pound rankings by the 2014 Asics High School Girls Wrestler of the Year Kayla Miracle, who starts the year as the highest-ranked freshman at No. 5 in the WCWA. By rule, no newcomers can be ranked higher than a returning All-American in the preseason rankings.

The two faced off on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with Kayla Miracle beating Flores in an intrasquad wrestle off to win the 130-pound varsity spot. Flores will compete at 136 pounds in duals to start the year, but will remain at 130 in tournament settings.

"Flores is the highest placing returning All-American at 130 and deserves to be ranked No. 1," Coach Miracle said. "Kayla was the No. 1 recruit in the country and a two-time World medalist. I think we have two of the top wrestlers in the country at 130 pounds."

The other ranked wrestlers for CU are Tiara Scott (No. 2, 191 pounds), Michelle Organ (No. 5, 155 pounds), Hanna Hall (No. 6, 143 pounds), Kasey Kruczek (No. 7, 136 pounds) and Michelle Lomas (No. 7, 116 pounds). Lomas will compete at 109 this season though with Kasey Ricketts cutting weight from 123 to 116 for the year. Cassidy Ferrell also returns for CU at 101 pounds.

"I think that all of our ranked women are capable of finishing higher than their preseason rankings. Of course that is always the goal in anything – exceed expectations through constant improvement," Coach Miracle said. "You are never good enough in this sport. I am challenging our team to not become complacent, to always strive for that illusive perfect match."

The rankings do not completely reflect the weights each woman will wrestle this season. Some girls will move up or down in weight to compete as freshmen come in to fit their way into duals lineups and the tournament setting. The plus side though, is being able to qualify more than one at a weight when the national tournament rolls around in the winter.

"Because of our ability to enter multiple wrestlers at the same weight at the WCWA Nationals we have a great chance to have multiple All-Americans at multiple weight classes. That is what you need to do to win a national team title," Coach Miracle said.

In addition to the returners, CU brings in several freshmen, who are adjusting to early morning practices and the college level.

"I am really impressed with how well the freshmen are coming along. Adjusting to 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. practices is not an easy transition. They are learning to wrestle in a new system. The techniques, tactics and my constant demand for improvement can be overwhelming for a freshman," Coach Miracle said. "Last year's girls went through the same things as the freshmen are going through. The difference is now we have veterans of the system there to help the freshmen get through it. I am excited to see what they can do."

Obviously Kayla Miracle, ranked No. 6 in the USA Wrestling Senior Rankings, will make an immediate impact in the CU lineup, but Coach Miracle said she also changes the attitude of the wrestling room.

"She is a very demanding partner. Her technique is way beyond her years, and her tenacity as a live wrestler goes unparalleled in the room," he said.

Other freshmen making the room tougher according to the coach are Keely Holloway (101), Kait Fitzpatrick (109), Steffanie Hampton (116), Shelby Hall (123), Hannah Gladden (143), Jackeitha Baker (136), Kaitlyn Hill (170) and Autumn Rux (155).

"Any one of these freshmen could become an All-American this year," Coach Miracle said. "As we improve our team over the next few years it will become very difficult to walk in as a freshman and be a varsity wrestler unless you are a world beater."

Shelby Hall, Miracle and Hill all earned starting spots for Campbellsville's varsity duals roster opening weekend.

Other newcomers for CU are Abby Sallee (123), Makayla Bushman (130), Maggie Wilson (130), Kara Cazeau (136) and Cheyenne Duran (136).


To follow Lady Tiger wrestling throughout the year, check them out on Twitter - @CvilleWWrestle and @CvilleTigers. Also on Facebook - Campbellsville University Women's Wrestling and Campbellsville Tigers.