Jonathan Dickson (all images via ccctigers.com)
The Central Christian College of Kansas women’s wrestling program has gotten itself off to a historic start, thanks to Coach Don Schreimann and the group of talented athletes that he has brought in. Halfway through their inaugural season, the Lady Tigers find themselves ranked #20 in the NAIA. This is also the first season that women’s wrestling has been a part of the NAIA as an invitational sport. Pella Wisniowski and Kim Lambert have started out their collegiate wrestling careers with a bang. Wisniowski is now the #12 wrestler in the 155 lb division, while Kim Lambert has made her way to #16 at the 123 lb division.
This past Friday, Coach Schreimann took Lambert, Wisniowski, and Citlali Palafox to compete in the York College Open. All three ladies finished in fourth place on the day. Wisniowski won her first two matches of the day over Remy Vargas of the University of Jamestown and Roxanna Barragan from Missouri Valley College by technical fall (10-0) in the 155 pound weight division, but would drop her final three matches. The first was a tough 4-6 loss to Randie Scoon from Ottawa University, followed by a loss by technical fall to Myranda Valasquez from the University of Jamestown, and then another close lose to Sierra Talmadge from the University of Jamestown 8-10. Lambert’s day at 123 pounds started with a technical fall loss to Sierra Brown Ton from Colorado Mesa University. She would receive a bye in the first round of the consolation bracket, then move through the semifinal with a forfeit from her opponent. In the third place match, Lambert would lose by fall to Hailey Scheirmeyer from Midland University. At the 109 pound weight class, Palafox lost her first two matches by fall to Kiyra Dial from Missouri Valley College and Claire Payne from York College. In her final match of the day against Alicia Messer from Schreiner University, Palafox would forfeit due to injury.
Coach Schreimann had only words of praise for his team, saying, “I am so happy for the young ladies on this team. To be ranked nationally in the NAIA is an extreme honor, especially in our first season. This group has worked toward their goals each and every day since arriving on campus. They are learning a valuable life lesson: have a goal, believe in your goal, and work to attain your goal.”
Central Christian College of Kansas will get their first look at the nationally ranked wrestlers on Wednesday, as the Lady Tigers will be wrestling at home for the first time in program history. York College will send three wrestlers to compete in an exhibition match preceding the men’s wrestling duel versus Kansas Wesleyan University. Coach Schreimann will use this match as a way to help introduce the differences in women’s wrestling to the students at Central. The women will start their matches at 6 PM on Wednesday, and the men will follow at 7 PM.
