Community College National Championships planned for 2021
It’s not news that the landscape of women’s wrestling is actively changing.
The NAIA and NCAA are moving toward championship status and, as a result, the WCWA—historically home to nearly all collegiate women’s wrestling programs across organizations—faces drastic reductions in membership. Only 26 programs renewed memberships for the 2019-20 season, and the future and purpose of the organization is in question.
But as the NAIA and NCAA picked up the sport under their organizational umbrellas, the questions turned into: What about programs at community colleges? Who builds their structure? Do they wrestle folksytle or freestyle?
USA Wrestling’s announcement on Thursday (Key coaches and leaders begin plans to launch a Community College Women’s Wrestling Nationals for 2021) answered some of those questions and provided even more to think about.
In short, a group of coaches and administrators met late February to discuss plans for a Community College Women’s Nationals. It would be the first time an exclusive championship event for two-year programs has been established, and it’s tentatively scheduled for February 2021.
“Teams and individual athletes from any community college will be invited to participate, regardless of what national or regional sports organization oversees their school’s sports program” (Abbott, 2020).
The effort is huge for community colleges and women’s wrestling at large.
Community colleges offer yet another option for students to continue formal education while still competing. It will benefit students that want to further their education in a specific field/trade, learn in a different environment, meet a GPA standard or simply cut costs while taking general education courses before transferring to a four-year institution. Community colleges can be a really smart option.
Two-year programs sit within a number of different organizations: the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) to name a few. Programs within these two-year organizations, the NCWA and community colleges across the U.S. and potentially Canada will be invited to the championship event.
Since each of those are their own organizations, varsity sports in the NJCAA have their own championship, CCCAA sports have their own championship, etc. Women’s wrestling isn’t recognized by any of those organizations as a championship sport—that’s why they’ve historically competed with four-year institutions and held membership with the WCWA. This cross-organizational championship for two-year institutions is an event, not a new organization.
USAW’s announcement states that the pledge is to wrestle freestyle—a decision in alignment with varsity programs at NCAA and NAIA member institutions. It signals unity and promotes a seamless competitive transfer from two-year to four-year institutions. This core decision on style will be at the discretion of each organization if (read: when) they pick up women’s wrestling.
Right now there are seven community colleges with women’s wrestling programs that have either competed in the WCWA or announced new in the last year: Big Bend CC (WA), Grays Harbor College (WA), Southwestern Oregon CC (OR), Umpqua CC (OR), Nassua CC (NY), Lackawana College (PA – 2020) and Indian Hills CC (IA – 2020). Umpqua’s Esthela Trevino won the 2020 WCWA’s, and Indian Hills signed Iowa’s now 2 x state champ Chloe Clemens last fall.
A preliminary look at the NCWA organization shows an additional three clubs/programs: Merced College (CA), Richland College (TX) and Springfield Technical CC (MA).
The language also states that women wrestling on men’s teams will be able to compete, making the impact arguably more widespread. Wrestlers in these situations might be able to use this championship to build notoriety and influence as they present themselves to their institutions seeking varsity sport status.
With the growing number of programs at four-year institutions, it would be surprising if the community colleges didn’t follow suit.
More details will be released about this great news as coaches and administrators meet in upcoming months.
“Any community college administrator, coach or athlete who is interested in participating in this championships or wish more information on creating a community college women’s wrestling program can contact Craig Jackson, Director of Athletics at Umpqua CC at craig.jackson@umpqua.edu”
Transition Wrestling is an independent women’s wrestling news publication.
Subscribe and follow to keep up with the latest news!
Twitter: @transition_wres Facebook: Transition Wrestling Instagram: @transitionwrestling
Have a question, story or want to work with us? Send an email to hello@transitionwrestling.com
