Jamestown to host NAIA National Invitational through 2021
KANSAS CITY, M.O. – – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the University of Jamestown have agreed that the NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Invitational will remain in Jamestown through 2021.
The NAIA granted women’s wrestling invitational status in the spring of 2018, meaning that efforts toward developing administrative rules for championship status are likely in the spotlight. There are 33 NAIA women’s wrestling programs competing or announced at this time. When that number reaches 40, the sport can apply for championship status.
The University of Jamestown hosted the inaugural event at the Harold Newman Arena in 2019. Winter storms presented significant challenges that consolidated two days of competition into one, but UJ proved highly capable of hosting a true championship experience. There were twenty-one member schools represented by women from thirty-three states and four countries pre-registered.
As part of NAIA tradition, the night before featured a red carpet student-athlete experience with guest speakers Tamyra Mensah-Stock, Sandy Stevens and Captain Randow of the United States Marine Corps. The ladies also participated in a Champions of Character service event, packaging meals for the Orphan Grain Train.
Wayland Baptist’s Asia Ray (101-pounds) became the first individual NAIA national champion, and the ladies from Menlo College took home the team title. Get up to speed with an overall look at the 2019 event, here.
The 2020 National Invitational is scheduled for March 13th – 14th, and the champion at each of the ten weight classes qualifies to compete at the 2020 Olympic Team Trials. Jim Carr stated: “Jamestown did an excellent job hosting the NAIA’s inaugural women’s wrestling national invitational and put significant effort into making the event special for our student-athletes. We look forward to returning.”
