Women's Wrestling 3/17/2021 3:18:00 PM CU Athletics

Championship Celebration! All are invited to women's wrestling recognition on Thursday night at 7:30

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University athletics invites all students, faculty, staff and coaches to a celebration tonight, Thursday, March 18 to recognize the Lady Tiger wrestling program on winning the institution's first NAIA National Championship.

The weather pending celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and due to COVID-19 protocols, the event will be hosted at the CU baseball stadium, HIG Field. If inclement weather forces the event to be postponed, it will be moved to another evening this week.

The event will air live on the Campbellsville University Sports Network. Interim President Dr. Keith Spears, Vice President for Student Services and Athletics Rusty Hollingsworth, and Director of Athletics Jim Hardy will all provide remarks during the celebration.

"I had the opportunity to speak to the women's wrestling team earlier in the fall and encourage them to stay focused," said Hardy. "They had unfinished business from last year as COVID-19 shutdown the entire sports scene just one day before their championship was to start. This team has fought through much adversity throughout the last calendar year, but they kept battling. I am so proud of the student-athletes and coaches for refusing to let that COVID setback define them as a team.

"Congratulations on achieving the first team NAIA National Championship," continued Hardy. "I hope all students, faculty, staff and coaches will show up to support this team for their success. We do ask that everyone continue to follow COVID protocols by wearing a mask and adhering to social distancing best practices."

For the first time in Campbellsville University athletics history, a NAIA Championship banner has come back to the Maple Trail as Lady Tiger wrestling won their first title in a big way over the weekend with 185 team points. Life University finished second and was 50.5 points behind.

In addition to the team championship, McKayla Campbell won the first women's wrestling NAIA individual championship at 109 pounds. Campbell trailed, 14-11, with 12 seconds remaining but overcame all odds to pick up a four-point throw in the final stages of her season to earn the title over defending champ Asia Gray of Wayland Baptist.

Behind Campbell, Alexandra Castillo (170), Randi Robison (136), Angie Vitiritti (130) and Charlotte Fowler all finished runner-up. Brianna Staebler and Jacqueline Ghent both finished fourth at 191 pounds and 123 pounds, respectfully. Emma Walker (143), Katlyn Pizzo (123) and Kendra Thompson (155) all finished third.

The event on Thursday is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and all are invited.

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Players Mentioned

McKayla Campbell: 5' 0"; Senior; Wauseon, Ohio

Alexandra Castillo: 5' 3"; Junior; Arleta, Calif.

Charlotte Fowler: 5' 0"; Graduate Student; Katy, Texas

Jacqueline Ghent: 5' 1"; Sophomore; Corpus Christi, Texas

Katlyn Pizzo: 5' 2"; Senior; Madison Heights, Mich.

Randi Robison: 5' 3"; Sophomore; East Peoria, Ill.

Kendra Thompson: 5' 6"; Sophomore; Jackson, Ohio

Angie Vitiritti: 5' 4"; Sophomore; South Elgin, Ill.

Emma Walker: 5' 4"; Freshman; Clarksville, Tenn.

Brianna Staebler: 5' 9"; Freshman; Whitewater, Wis.

Players Mentioned

McKayla Campbell
: 5' 0"; Senior; Wauseon, Ohio

Alexandra Castillo
: 5' 3"; Junior; Arleta, Calif.

Charlotte Fowler
: 5' 0"; Graduate Student; Katy, Texas

Jacqueline Ghent
: 5' 1"; Sophomore; Corpus Christi, Texas

Katlyn Pizzo
: 5' 2"; Senior; Madison Heights, Mich.

Randi Robison
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; East Peoria, Ill.

Kendra Thompson
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; Jackson, Ohio

Angie Vitiritti
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; South Elgin, Ill.

Emma Walker
: 5' 4"; Freshman; Clarksville, Tenn.

Brianna Staebler
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Whitewater, Wis.