The high school class of 2019 moves forward—we’re not over Fargo, part 1
In an earlier article, we highlighted seven collegiate programs that picked up Fargo finalists. Today we want to start sharing info about the rest of the 2019 high school graduates that are moving forward with their careers, whether they’re wrestling or not.
Choosing if and where to go to college is a really big deal. These ladies worked to find a program that fit their academic, athletic and financial needs. This might be the biggest decision these young ladies will make for the next four years.
This is a fun time for us at Transition Wrestling, because we exist to capture the college years. It’s the growth that happens during the transition from high school to college – from college to the real world – that’s really transformational and that’s what it’s actually all about. Do you ever wonder who our world team members were before they become the women and personalities they are today? We want to make sure those stories get captured and it starts right here.
In no specific order, below are the first few states we looked at.
Indiana had two seniors represent their national team for the last time, and they’re both headed to neighboring states as incoming freshman. Alara Boyd, the 138-pound champion, will be attending McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. Ciera Broukal competed at 117 pounds, and is headed to Campbellsville, Kentucky. There are no in-state opportunities for women to stay in Indiana to compete YET. Indiana Tech is set to begin their first year for the 2020-21 season. Indiana does not have sanctioned girls wrestling.
Nevada’s national team had a lone senior, Morgan Norris. She was the runner-up at 138-pounds to Alara Boyd, so we’ll likely see growth happen each time those two match up. Morgan is headed to Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina to grow under the direction of Dani and Tony DeAnda. There are no collegiate women’s programs in Nevada yet.
Iowa had two senior reps—Hanna Michael and Emma Cochran, who both wrestled at 100 pounds. They’re both staying in state to grow with the brand-new women’s program in Des Moines, under coach Angelo Crinzi at Grand View University. There are two other programs in Iowa—Waldorf University and Iowa Wesleyan which is set to being for the 2020-21 season. Iowa has not yet sanctioned girls wrestling.
Missouri’s three senior ladies are all staying in state but will be wrestling at different programs! Sanctioning girls wrestling in Missouri should have been a no-brainer, there are so many programs in and around the state now. Brooke-Lynn Rush was an All-American placing 6th at 152-pounds and is headed to a pioneer program, under the direction of a pioneer coach Carl Murphee at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. Julia Quan (117 pounds) and Seattle Bowen (152 pounds) are committed to growing with first year programs Fontbonne University and Central Methodist University, respectively.
Virginia was represented by three seniors—all of which are headed out of state. Ashley Whetzal (127 pounds) signed at Fargo and is headed to Arkansas where she’ll attend Lyon College. Cami Miller (106 pounds) is headed to school at the University of Oklahoma, where she will wrestle on their club team and Hana Lee (122 pounds) will be going to Penn State University where she will be also wrestling on the club team. Virginia has not yet sanctioned girls wrestling, but they do have a women’s collegiate program at Ferrum College.
Both of Alaska’s seniors are headed to Illinois to wrestle under Sam Schmitz at McKendree University. McKenzie Cook was the champion at 144 pounds and Jolie Lucas competed at 100 pounds where she went 3-2. Alaska has sanctioned girls wrestling.
The Empire State, New York, has four seniors headed to all different programs. Shola Cascen (200 pounds) is headed to the new program at Delaware Valley College under Caitlin Baker. Arham Alrowmeim (100 pounds) will make her way to Bristol, Tennessee, where she’ll be attending King University under Jason Moorman. Lexybell Lopez (112 pounds) is still undecided on her next steps, and Kendra Cheers (152 pounds) is headed to the Army Reserves this year and will join the new program at East Stroudsburg University for the 2020-21 season. New York has yet to sanction girls wrestling, and add a 4-year collegiate program.
All of the seniors that competed for Minnesota are staying in state and are committed to represent Augsburg University. Emily Shilson, the 106-pound champion, Faith Tuttle, a 180-pound 6th place All-American, and 144-pound competitor Kahlea Jolly will all wrestle under Head Coach Max Mejia during the program’s first year. Minnesota has yet to sanction girls wrestling.
Georgia did not have any seniors compete at Fargo, but they do have girls wrestling sanctioned at the interscholastic level AND college level programs at Life University, Emmanuel College and Brewton-Parker College.
Stay tuned for more of where the seniors that competed at Fargo are headed next. We’re noticing a couple of trends as we compile this info—we’ll be sharing our findings as we get a more complete look at the data!
