By: Kristin Shaffer
Kansas City, MO – A perfect record at the York College Open earned
Jaine Stephens NAIA Wrestler of the Week, announced by the national office on Wednesday. The win is the first tournament title of Stephens career, having earned second twice in her freshman campaign.
Stephens won the York College Open at the 109-weight class picking up four wins off of four fall victories. A NWCA All-American a season ago, Stephens has compiled an 8-2 record this year despite missing the first month of the season.
"Jaine is seeing her hard work and perseverance pay off. She has dealt with some serious injuries and just continues to get better," said Head Coach
Donnie Stephens, "She works hard day in and day out and I'm happy and honored that she is being selected NAIA wrestler of the week."
The Williamsburg, KY native is currently ranked fifth in her weight-class and was able to defeat three ranked opponents en route to her championship. She started off the competition beating Kassidy Leiszler, ranked 16
th from Baker University. Stephens was in control the entire match and was able to earn the fall at 2:46.
The quarter-final matchup featured Stephens against fourth ranked Emma Cochran from Grand View. It was an even contest throughout the first period, until Stephens flipped Cochran on her back to earn the fall at 2:16.
Eager to get back to the York College Open Championship round like she did last season, Stephens had to face Jas Alexander from Grand View. The sophomore only needed 44 seconds to pin her opponent and move onto the final match.
Chloe Krebsbach, ranked seventh, from Grand View was the final opponent for Stephens. Krebsbach got out to a 2-0 lead, but Stephens quickly answered back with two more points of her own. Krebsbach earned one more point against Stephens before she earned a two-point takedown that resulted in a fall at 2:38.
This marks her first career NAIA Wrestler of the Week award as well as the first for UC this season. Stephens joins an elite class of Patriots wrestlers who have won this distinguished award and all went on to become All-Americans.
Cumberlands will travel to #5 Life University on Friday January 22 for their second MSC dual of the season. Competition starts at 5 pm and the livestream can be found
here.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter - @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameDay, Instagram - @UCPatriots, YouTube – Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.
