Over the weekend the women’s wrestling team opened up their season at Steven’s Point.
Last season the Wildcats had a great year ending the season at 4-4 as well as making an appearance at the National Wrestling Championship, where the Cats placed 14th out of 64 to end the season.
The Wildcats built off last season’s momentum into the Steven Point match. Overall there was no team score, however several Wildcats stood out earning top finishes on the day. This year the Wildcats are led by first year head coach Adam Wilson.
“In the preseason national rankings, to have five teams in the national rankings will give us some good competition once we get into conference play… we’ll focus there when we get there, but I think just from a vision standpoint for where I’m at— being a first year head coach, and kind of what we’re trying to build towards and the company that we want to keep, you know once we get this thing built, I couldn’t ask for a better situation on that— to guarantee that we’re going to see some of the best competition in the country in conference and then a part of our regular season schedule in preparation for the postseason,” Head Coach Adam Wilson said.
The Wildcats started the season and coach Wilson’s vision off strong. Competing against 13 other programs, one NMU wrestler claimed first in the 180 weight class. Sophomore Abbie Miles had a good day on the mat, winning all her matches and earning first overall in her weight class.
Along with Miles, junior Alissa Caltagirone placed second overall in her weight class going 2-1 in her three matches of the day.
Third place overall in the weight class of 180 was awarded to Wildcat junior Mickaela Keane, who went 3-1 in her matches, earning her that third spot.
“I think we’re focused on culture. We’re focused on competitive behaviors right now. We’re focused on making sure that we have the right student-athletes in the program. And the girls that are upstairs in the wrestling room, they are every bit of that,” Coach Wilson said.
Finishing in fourth in her weight class was Wildcat sophomore Sophia Bassino, who went 3-2 on the day’s matches.
Next week the Wildcats are back on the road as the team will head down to compete in the Adrian Open. At the event last year, The Wildcats placed 12th of 29 teams. The match will start at 9 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 9.
“We have to take ultimate accountability for that when we step on the mat and compete. And so for them to build their self-confidence and belief in the skill set that they’re going to try to execute is everything. I’m really happy… we had a really strong opening weekend,” Coach Wilson said.
Following this weekend, the Wildcats will then be off for two weeks before heading out on the road again to compete in the 8 Women Battle.
“The vision is to compete with the best teams in the country… I don’t want it to be us versus them. I want to be the best us that we can be and focus on our process,” Coach Wilson said.
