2021 Multi-Division National Duals Canceled
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced Wednesday that the Multi-Division National Duals scheduled for January 8-9 2021 have been canceled. The release came out less than 24 hours after USA Wrestling’s decision not to send a team to the Senior World Championships in December.
The women’s brackets were split for the first time between NAIA and NCAA programs at the multi-division duals in 2020. In years past, all programs—NAIA, NCAA and NJCAA—competed for a single championship. The split is another telltale sign of development as women’s wrestling tracks toward NAIA and NCAA championship status.
Menlo won the NAIA bracket in 2020; they collected wins over Oklahoma City and Life University before their final 22-19 victory over Campbellsville. The NCAA title went to McKendree, who defeated Presbyterian and Colorado Mesa before their final matchup with Simon Fraser. The dual came down to a 18-17 win for McKendree by criteria. The Bearcats went on to win the inaugural National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in March.
The NWCA’s press release states that the duals will return in January 2022. From the NWCA press release: “On behalf of the NWCA Board of Directors, we have to, unfortunately, announce the suspension of the 2021 Multi-Division National Dual Championships,” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. “We based this decision for our 90-team event on several factors, including our student-wrestlers’ health and safety and the ongoing uncertainty of the upcoming wrestling season (travel restrictions, COVID-19 protocol, competition start dates, etc.). We look forward to next year’s event and wish everyone a safe and successful 2020-21 season.”
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