Session 1 update: Campbellsville opens with big lead at WCWA Nationals

Campbellsville came out swinging in session 1 of the 2020 WCWA National Championships and has a sizeable lead following the completion of the quarter-finals.

McKenzie Bacich got things rolling for the Tigers with a first round upset at 101 pounds by knocking off top-seeded Ira Navarro (Southwest Oregon CC) in a 10-9 barn burner.  Bacich landed a 4-point headlock right away and built a 10-3 lead to close the first period.  Navarro stormed back with 2 takedowns and a front headlock roll in the second period to bring the score to 10-9 with 1:05 left.  Bacich was able to block several go behind attempts by Navarro to finish with the victory.  Head Coach Lee Miracle coached calmly from the corner, Starbucks in hand, as Bacich set the tone for a booming open session by the top ranked team in the nation.

Campbellsville pushed 11 athletes through the quarterfinals and into tomorrow morning’s semi-finals.  They will have an athlete in semi-finals at 9 of 10 weight classes.  They currently lead the team race with 121 points.  Life is in second place with 78 team points and has 6 semi-finalists.

Returning national champions Abby Nette (Campbellsville) and Jayden Laurent (Lakeland) both breezed into the semi-finals at 130 and 155 pounds, respectively. Besides Navarro at 101 pounds, all of the number #1 seeds have reached the semi-finals.

Day one of the tournament will conclude with the consolation “blood round” later today. Each weight class will be down to the final eight competitors who will become WCWA All-Americans.

On Saturday, the semi-finals will take place following the first round of the Pan-Am team qualifier featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Helen Maroulis vs. World Silver Medalist Alli Ragan at 57 kg and Katherine Shai vs. Haley Augello at 53 kg.